Pre-med internships are where you can gain valuable experience before entering medical school. These opportunities can help you identify the career path that best suits your interests and goals, too. But beyond acquiring new knowledge, pre-med interns can also have the chance to build meaningful connections with others in the medical field.
However, choosing the right pre-med internship can be tough. Read on, as this guide will help you decide what’s best for you and your future career goals.
Know the Types of Pre-Med Internships
When you hear the word ‘intern,’ the first thing you might think of is desk work or preparing coffee for the boss; it’s not always like that. Completing a pre-med internship involves more hands-on work.
Here’s a look at some types of pre-med internships you can consider:
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Externships
Externships are designed for those considering medical school. They typically occur in hospitals, universities, clinics, or other healthcare facilities.
During an externship, you may shadow doctors and observe their daily tasks. You get to learn how they interact with their patients, file their reports, give exams, and use medical equipment. It basically gives you direct exposure to patient care and lets you understand clinical workflows.
International Humanitarian Internships
Are there not enough internship experiences near you? Why not go abroad? International experiences allow you to learn cultural competence besides clinical experience. You also get to aid underserved or disaster-stricken global communities.
Many countries are open to pre-med students seeking medical learning opportunities. Consider looking into reputable nonprofit organizations that may have pre-med internship opportunities available.
Healthcare Administration
Healthcare admin interns get to observe and experience the operations of medical facilities. These opportunities let you explore healthcare’s organizational side, including clerical work.
You’ll undergo tasks like report writing and data gathering. You might also learn how to use specific software for recording patient information. Healthcare admin is a fantastic way to experience the behind-the-scenes environment of the field.
Research Internships
A research internship might be ideal if you prefer to understand the science behind medicine and diseases. This type lets pre-med students work on medical studies with clinical researchers and professors.
In a research internship program, you’ll gain hands-on experience in laboratories. You may participate in data collection or experimental design, among other tasks. Studies in chemistry or biology are valuable if you’re considering academic medicine or specialized fields.
Pre-med internships encompass various roles. Besides these options, you can also explore neuroscience, cancer treatment, healthcare policy, education, or environmental health. Consider talking to a career counselor or anyone you know in the medical field to give you a head start.
Choose Your Medical Specialty
While it may still be too early to pick a specialty, knowing your interests can help you choose the right pre-med internship. Ask yourself some of these questions:
- What are your clinical or scientific areas of interest?
- What types of activities do you like to participate in?
- What type of patients would you like to work with?
- How important is work-life balance to you?
- How crucial is earning potential?
These questions can help you narrow down your options. For example, neurosurgery or orthopedics might be ideal if you’re interested in surgery. If you prefer less patient contact, pathology and radiology might suit you.
Don’t worry if you can’t identify a specialty yet or think you might change your mind. Pre-med internships and medical school will eventually lead you to the right path.
Look for Pre-Med Internship Opportunities
Finding pre-med internships isn’t as hard as you might think. Your first option is your current college or university. Your school’s career services office can help you find internships or research positions. Faculty members from the sciences may also connect you with professionals in the medical field.
If your university has a pre-med advising office, you might have a better chance for pre-med internships. They usually have connections with local hospitals, healthcare facilities, and research labs.
Consider visiting hospitals and clinics to see if they offer volunteer programs for undergraduate students, too. You could also contact physicians and ask about shadowing opportunities.
You can also search online. Platforms like Indeed and LinkedIn often list healthcare internships. Several pre-med websites and health-related nonprofits may also offer opportunities, sometimes abroad.
Secure Pre-Med Internships
After you’ve found an opportunity, your next step is to send an application. Build a strong resume, cover letter, and personal statement. However, avoid using one resume for all your applications. Tailor each and highlight your skills related to the internship you’re applying for.
Include letters of recommendation, too. This is where networking comes in. Your professors, advisors, or physicians you’ve shadowed can craft one for you. This strengthens the qualifications you’ve indicated in your resume.
Lastly, prepare for your interview. A good performance in your interview could boost your chances of securing an internship. If you’re not confident in your speaking skills, practice as early as possible. Speak to yourself in the mirror. Do mock interviews with people you trust or your mentor or career counselor.
Final Thoughts
Pursuing and completing a pre-med internship comes down to a few key steps. You’ll need to understand the different types of internships, pick your specialty, and then hunt down the right opportunities. When you find a position that fits, make sure your resume showcases your skills and experience.
The journey isn’t always smooth; if you hit a roadblock, don’t get discouraged. Stay focused and keep pushing toward your medical career goals.
