4 answers
Adrianna
Student
1
Question
Asked
1043 views
What is the best way to go about finding a summer internship/job as a diagnostic medical sonography student?
I am in my second year of university, working towards a bachelor's degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
Login to comment
4 answers
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1085
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Adrianna,
You can use Indeed or LinkedIn to search for internships in your area and find out what the requirements are. Most likely, any advertised internships will require you to be in the 3rd or 4th year of your program and have prior clinical experience (which you will get starting in year 3).
At this point in your education, your best bet for student positions is probably your department. The other option would be to inquire at local hospitals if there are any volunteer opportunities or vacation jobs that would at least place you in a hospital environment.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
You can use Indeed or LinkedIn to search for internships in your area and find out what the requirements are. Most likely, any advertised internships will require you to be in the 3rd or 4th year of your program and have prior clinical experience (which you will get starting in year 3).
At this point in your education, your best bet for student positions is probably your department. The other option would be to inquire at local hospitals if there are any volunteer opportunities or vacation jobs that would at least place you in a hospital environment.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1942
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Good question Adriana, during a Bachelor's in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) you typically start clinical internships in your junior (third) or senior (fourth) year, after completing core science prerequisites and foundational sonography courses. You must complete specific science courses (like Anatomy, Physiology, Physics) and introductory sonography classes before you're eligible for the clinical phase of internships. Due to high demand, these clinical slots are competitive, so strong grades and your performance are crucial.
Your first step Adriana will be for you to contact your college's DMS Career Services Department. They often have established connections with companies and might have specific internship programs or contacts.
Doc recommends the following next steps:
Jay Y.
Sonographer, Ultrasound Techonologist
4
Answers
Madison, Wisconsin
Updated
Jay’s Answer
Hi Adrianna,
In our department, we do hire student employees to work as sonographers under close supervision. However, we only hire senior students who are in their final year before graduation. I am assuming you are enrolled in a four-year sonography program, you would need to wait until your senior year to be eligible for a student sonographer position.
In the meantime, you may want to explore opportunities as an Imaging Assistant within a radiology department, which often includes ultrasound. For example, our radiology department hires students as Imaging Assistants to help with phone calls, basic office duties, and patient transport. To pursue this option, I recommend contacting the radiology manager at the hospital directly for employment information.
Best of luck with your studies, and I wish you continued success in your sonography program.
Kind regards,
Jay
In our department, we do hire student employees to work as sonographers under close supervision. However, we only hire senior students who are in their final year before graduation. I am assuming you are enrolled in a four-year sonography program, you would need to wait until your senior year to be eligible for a student sonographer position.
In the meantime, you may want to explore opportunities as an Imaging Assistant within a radiology department, which often includes ultrasound. For example, our radiology department hires students as Imaging Assistants to help with phone calls, basic office duties, and patient transport. To pursue this option, I recommend contacting the radiology manager at the hospital directly for employment information.
Best of luck with your studies, and I wish you continued success in your sonography program.
Kind regards,
Jay
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Adrianna !
Although there are no external Internships for Sonography majors in the community, you will be doing clinicals within your program at college, so you will get experience during that time. You didn't mention your city, town, state or country so no direct referrals are able to be made by me. You will need to make strong connections with your Diagnostic Medical Sonography department to understand your program and path better.
In general, if you want to be busy with volunteer work, you can explore volunteer opportunities at your local hospitals or at your local Department of Health. Generally, you wouldn't be able to do sonography work until you complete your program in college and are certified and licensed according to the guidelines where you live. Shadowing is not possible because the patient's safety and privacy are of utmost importance, especially during pelvic or breast exams. I would say that doing volunteer work at a hospital or health department would be of benefit because you can learn more about illnesses and meet new people that may be helpful for future work.
Next college semester or year - or within the deadline, assuming you are in the United States, apply for Federal Student Financial Aid and check the Work Study option. If you get work study, you can work in your college's Diagnostic Medical Sonography Department. This will help build much stronger connections to your program and with your professors. You will be around a lot of information about this career that may be beneficial to you after you graduate and become certified and or licensed. It will be a good foundation and can go on your resume. Speak with your college's Financial Aid Office about Work Study.
Taking things a step at a time and making strong connections in your Major Department is very important. Doing volunteer work broadens your perspective and helps build skills. A Work Study job in your sonography program department will help provide knowledge and you can work the work study job around your class schedule.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Although there are no external Internships for Sonography majors in the community, you will be doing clinicals within your program at college, so you will get experience during that time. You didn't mention your city, town, state or country so no direct referrals are able to be made by me. You will need to make strong connections with your Diagnostic Medical Sonography department to understand your program and path better.
In general, if you want to be busy with volunteer work, you can explore volunteer opportunities at your local hospitals or at your local Department of Health. Generally, you wouldn't be able to do sonography work until you complete your program in college and are certified and licensed according to the guidelines where you live. Shadowing is not possible because the patient's safety and privacy are of utmost importance, especially during pelvic or breast exams. I would say that doing volunteer work at a hospital or health department would be of benefit because you can learn more about illnesses and meet new people that may be helpful for future work.
Next college semester or year - or within the deadline, assuming you are in the United States, apply for Federal Student Financial Aid and check the Work Study option. If you get work study, you can work in your college's Diagnostic Medical Sonography Department. This will help build much stronger connections to your program and with your professors. You will be around a lot of information about this career that may be beneficial to you after you graduate and become certified and or licensed. It will be a good foundation and can go on your resume. Speak with your college's Financial Aid Office about Work Study.
Taking things a step at a time and making strong connections in your Major Department is very important. Doing volunteer work broadens your perspective and helps build skills. A Work Study job in your sonography program department will help provide knowledge and you can work the work study job around your class schedule.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !