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What should I do when in High School and interested in entering medical field?

What should you do when you're in high school and interested in entering the medical field? Do you have any suggestions on classes I should take in dual enrollment? I am also curious in medical programs, internships, and research? Thank you, any help is greatly appreciated!

medicine healthcare doctor internship research medical pre-med
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Ashlyn’s Answer

Hi Lin! Practicing PA and educator for almost 15 years here.

Most applicants will have strong academics. I would suggest looking beyond classroom and working on networking and diversifying your experience. Simply put: make connections in the industry and try to check several boxes.

First: Networking
-Ask local clinics and healthcare providers about shadowing different types of clinicians
-See if universities in your area have "student days." For example, my alma mater for PA school Midwestern University Glendale has high school student days you can apply to. Remember to ask your networks about their willingness to write a letter of rec! Have your resume ready to give to professionals who are writing that recommendation.

Second: Diversify
-Have something in several categories on your resume. Some examples are--
1. Shadowing as above
2. Volunteering
3. Special projects during school. For example, I wrote a patient education piece on PCOS during school and highlighted that.
4. Research projects (almost anything can be a research project!)
5. Leadership roles in clubs or other organizations (including student membership in professional organizations which are often free!)
6. Unique education experiences, such as a foreign language, BLS, first aid, athletic training, manuscript writing, etc

I hope this helps! Best of luck!
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Shreenithi’s Answer

Medical Student here, glad to see your intrest in this field. For dual enrollment you can try subjects that are closely related to fundamental school subjects like anatomy, physiology, Biochemistry. That would strengthen your core concepts making approach to medicine much easier. There's are courses available online and offline by multiple colleges for medical related courses. For research i suggest you get used to reading research papers, if that's done and you would like to do research institute I would suggest to directly approach the researcher by mail rather than waiting for opportunities come by. In medical school you will introduced to research very well so needn't to worry about that part. Internship as a premed is hard but you can try with local doctors and ask whether you can shadow them, this works well if you are in med school because you will sufficient knowledge about the disease conditions. Anyways all the best and I hope this is of some help!.
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IBM’s Answer

Hi Lin! I would suggest taking AP Bio and Chem courses, but most importantly- get into your local hospital as a volunteer, simply being in a hospital context and asking questions will expose you to the field
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Keysa’s Answer

Hello Lin!
You should check with your guidance counselor to see if your school offer any health courses and if so, try picking foundational science like Chemistry, Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, Sociology, and Psychology. Which is a start for some of your core classes when you decide to enroll into college. Make sure your grades doesn’t go below a “C”. Anything below will cause you to take those classes over in college. Any enhance communication skills, which are important in the health field. Also, see if your school offer in health science Medical Terminology. Those are some examples that I can think of at the moment. I hope I was some help in answering your question and I wish you nothing but the best on your future career!
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Nick’s Answer

Hi Lin,

High school curriculum is usually pretty standardized, but there are options like Running Start and AP that will give you more opportunities to get ready for a career in the medical field.

Another suggestion is to volunteer with organizations / non profits that are related (for example, I used to volunteer for a cancer support group and we would have many seminars about cancer research, treatment, etc.). You can also ask your dentist if you could volunteer and shadow their assistants. I did that with mine in high school and it was an incredible experience.
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Karin’s Answer

Hi Lin,

I would recommend that you start by reading up on all the different career options in healthcare. I left some links for you below.

Consider the work environment and the work you would do, but also the length of the required education and implications for cost/debt and future salary.

You could be a physician or a nurse or a psychologist. You could also be an engineer who develops sensors and devices or implants for healthcare. Or you could be a researcher in a medical lab.

You can look up the degree programs that lead to any of these careers. Check out university websites and find the courses they offer.

Start looking for places to job shadow people in some of the healthcare fields that pique your interest. Look for opportunities to volunteer and for internships to get more clarity.

I hope this helps! All the best to you!

KP

Karin recommends the following next steps:

https://nurse.org/healthcare/full-list-healthcare-careers/
https://college.mayo.edu/academics/explore-health-care-careers/careers-a-z/
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Jane’s Answer

Hello Lin!

The medical field has so many different skills to learn - math, english, organization, leadership, communications, understanding how people interact , and much more! I recommend immersing yourself in all skills so you can be the best person for the medical field. Read, read, study, study, observe, observe - all of these makes a difference and are used in the medical field.
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Shameka’s Answer

I started off volunteering in the hospital to see if Healthcare was a good fit for me. This gave me an opportunity to get a feel for the environment to make an informed decision. I also asked to do some job shadowing in my volunteer role to get some insight into more of a specified area of healthcare.
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Tameka Delaney’s Answer

Hi Lin,

It's great that you're interested in the healthcare field! I was inspired to join this industry over 20 years ago when my mom worked as a nurse at our local hospital. I recommend talking to your high school counselor about your interest in medicine, as your school might offer specific courses. Many high schools have vocational programs that let you explore fields like healthcare.

Here are some medical careers that schools might offer to students:
1. Nurse Assisting
2. Medical Assisting
3. Dental Assisting
4. Pharmacy Technician
5. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

I hope this helps, and good luck with your medical career interests!
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Cheri’s Answer

Hi Lin,

Setting a goal to enter the medical field is a great step, and it's smart to start planning how to achieve it. If you have the chance for dual enrollment, I recommend taking those classes. Psychology is a good first choice. Since a strong science background is important, consider a dual enrollment course in biology or AP Biology. Keep up with math too, aiming for pre-calculus or calculus, as you'll need college-level calculus for medical school applications.

Volunteering in healthcare can help you understand different career paths. Check if your local hospital has a volunteer program, or consider nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or physical therapy clinics. High school is a perfect time to explore these options. You might even earn a Certified Nursing Assistant certificate through dual enrollment, allowing you to work as a CNA after completing the course.

Don't forget to pursue your interests. Whether you play a sport or an instrument, make time for your hobbies. Being well-rounded is beneficial when applying to colleges.
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IBM’s Answer

if there are college/university programs you're already interested in, it's worth exploring what courses are expected in 1st year and try aligning some of your electives/core courses that may be relevant. It's also worth looking into your network of family, friends, family friends that may be in the medical field where you can do informational interviews to understand more about their work and if possible, do a day where you can shadow.
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Elyse’s Answer

Can you volunteer? When I was in high school I volunteered in the emergency department. I now work in the operating room just 2 floor above.
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Ryan’s Answer

Hi Lin,

There are already some great suggestions, but I'd like to add a few more ideas.

1. Job Shadowing
- This is a hands-on learning experience where you can watch someone at work to learn about their job.
- Check with your guidance counselor to see if there are programs for observing healthcare professionals.
- It's a great activity for summer, winter, or spring breaks to explore different career paths.
- Be sure to ask good questions about their job, like what they enjoy or find challenging.

2. Tech Center
- Many high schools have tech centers where you can explore healthcare careers and earn credits for graduation.
- Joining a healthcare tech program can introduce you to various roles and help you find your path.

3. Explore Non-Traditional Healthcare Careers
- There are many healthcare jobs that don't involve direct patient care. For example, I work as a technology consultant for healthcare organizations, collaborating with executives and tech professionals.
- Consider roles in healthcare technology or finance if you want to work in the field but not directly with patients.

4. Dual Enrollment and AP Courses
- Getting a head start in math and science can be very beneficial for healthcare degrees.
- Talk to your guidance counselor about your options before choosing courses.

I hope these ideas help you on your journey!
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Roxanne’s Answer

Hi Lin!

Consider becoming a medical scribe at a nearby hospital or doctor's office. This role is a great way to learn medical terms and understand how offices and emergency rooms operate. Medical scribes are in demand, especially in ERs, and you'll get the chance to work alongside doctors, physician assistants, or nurse practitioners while earning a paycheck. Many scribes eventually pursue careers in the medical field. If you need to wait until after high school to apply, try volunteering as a candy striper. This will help you build connections with staff who can later recommend you for a scribe position.

I hope this advice is helpful! Good luck on your journey!
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