Work Experience - How to Find (And Make the Most of ) It

Getting work experience before medical school isn’t just about building your university applications, but more importantly about making sure this is the right career and choicefor you. By seeing the realities of medicine up close, whether this be shadowing doctors in hospitals, GP clinics or even pharmacies and other similar medical fields, you will start to understand the field and skills required better.

I learned this firsthand shadowing in both a busy hospital, on a general surgery ward, and a few dermatology clinics. It was the first chance to understanding the fast-paced environment, as well as building skills and connections that may help you further down the line. Here’s how you can find experience and make it worthwhile:

Finding Shadowing and Clinical Experience

Firstly, getting experience isn’t always easy, but it is possible with persistence. As most hospitals and clinics don’t always advertise shadowing opportunities, you’ll most likely need to use your initiative to reach out. The key is to be persistent:

• Email local GPs and hospitals – Look up doctors in your area and send a polite, professional email expressing your interest in shadowing. You may even try speaking to GP receptionists, or pharmacies for example.

  
  

• Use any connections – If you have family or friends, or even connections through social media such as LinkedIn, in medicine, don’t be afraid to ask for introductions. Sometimes, knowing someone gets your foot in the door.

  
  

• Volunteer at a hospital – Even if you’re not directly shadowing, volunteering can put you in the right place to meet healthcare professionals who might let you observe. This also goes for other locations that link to medicine well, such as care homes, St John’s ambulance or medical charities.

  
  

• Check with medical schools or societies – Some universities have formal programmes or summer experiences that may include clinical opportunities.

  Look out for any programmes at universities you may be considering.

  
  

• Use your school’s resources – Let your interest be known to staff involved with

  university applications, such as career advisors for example, and see if they can help with reaching out to hospitals or other organisations for formal work

  experience or placement.

Making the Most of Your Experience

Once you get in, what you do with the experience matters. You don’t want to just stand in the corner and watch, but engage, learn, and take something away from it.

• Reflection: By paying close attention to the interactions between doctors and patients, reflecting on the skills and qualities required for a career in medicine,

  this will help you to build on ideas for your personal statement and interviews

  
  

• Engage with the team: Introduce yourself to staff and express your enthusiasm for certain areas or specialties. Try to ask questions when appropriate, and demonstrate initiative, such as speaking to patients with the team where possible, to help gain practical skills in the field.

  
  

• Try different specialities: Identifying areas of medicine that appeal to you can

  help when deciding on future career pathways, or by shaping areas of interest for your applications. For example, I shadowed on a surgery ward, where I spoke to the team and expressed my interest in Dermatology. They were then able to introduce me to the relevant department, where I gained first hand exposure to dermatological clinics and common conditions, which shaped my then and current interest in the field.

  
  

• Maintaining connections: By making a positive impression throughout your work experience, you can hope to stay in touch with your mentors and build a

  network for future opportunities. This could be through career advice, more

  clinical experience to build on your skills, or even research opportunities later

  during your studies.

  
  

Final thoughts

Gaining work experience as an aspiring medic can be incredibly difficult, but not

impossible with perseverance. It is an opportunity that will not only enhance your application but also help to provide clarity about your career choices and develop some essential skills.

The key is to grasp any opportunity and reach out with enthusiasm and professionalism, and you’ll start to build a strong foundation for a future career in medicine.

By Dalia Al - Temimi