Skip to main content
4 answers
4
Asked 384 views

How do I get a medical or clinical internship?

I'm a pre-med student searching for clinical or medical volunteering or internship work.

+25 Karma if successful
From: You
To: Friend
Subject: Career question for you

4

4 answers


2
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Angelin Shamili’s Answer

Hi Bohdan,

1. You can reach out to the local hospitals and clinics for volunteering opportunities.
2. Look for local Medical Society of your place and get involved in their events by becoming a member of the society. So that you can form a
network with the medical professionals. This would give you more opportunities to gain internship or volunteer program.
3. Look for summer internship programs in the university websites. Most of their deadline would be around mid of January to february.
4. You can see the AAMC website for more informations regarding the programs.
5. Most of the internship program needs a cover letter and letter of recommentation.
6. I would recommend you to go for internship or volunteer program in the core residency program which you are actually aiming for.
7. Also look options for research too. AAMC website gives you a lot more information. You can reach out to the professors in your school for research volunteer opportunities.

Goodluck!
2
1
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Rita’s Answer

Unfortunately, most of the time, if you want to shadow a physician, you need to have contacts. You can volunteer at a hospital but my experience is that it did not help me understand what a physician's job entailed.

I am a preceptor for medical students and I've noticed that the majority of students who shine were medical scribes. The good news is that they pay you. You basically act like a secretary to the physicians. This way, you can actually see hands on how a physician works, speak with them, etc.
Thank you comment icon Great suggestion JoNel .
1
1
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Doc’s Answer

Bohdan to secure an engaging summer internship, start looking early. When looking for internships and before applying, write down your goals. Writing down your goals will help you narrow down types of summer internships to which you want to apply too. With an eye toward medical school, ask yourself the following questions:

• What aspect of health care do I want to gain more exposure to;
• Is there an existing project on which I want to make significant progress;
• Do I want to develop or apply any particular skills; and
• Do I want to work for a specific organization in order to secure a full-time job after I graduate from med school?

Networking is key and can help you get your foot in the door. Speak with the organizations you are interested in interning with and connect with previous interns and current employees at those organization. Than, create a strong and tailored resume for the various internship applications, recruiters look for a strong work ethic, leadership skills and teamwork experiences. You can also tailor your resumes by including the activities and experiences that reflect the specific roles you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a research position, you would include all your previous analytical and research experiences. If you are applying for a public health internship, you may include more of your community-building experiences and extracurricular activities that highlight leadership.

Much like applying for other jobs, pre-medicine internships may also require you to have a cover letter for your application. This portion helps recruiters filter through the many applications they might receive for their limited slots. The cover letter serves as your introduction and a summary of your professional background. It will be the first thing employers and recruiters will see from your application, so you’ll need to add vital information about your desired pre-med internship role. Include here not only your skills and experience but also the description of the job you’re applying for. If you’ve done similar responsibilities in the past, include those, also.

Hope this helpful Bohdan
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much, John! Athena
Thank you comment icon Your Welcome Athena, It's always seems impossible until it’s done. Doc Frick
1
1
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Bhavna’s Answer

Hello Bohdan,
1. Reach out to local healthcare facilities or providers in your area to inquire about volunteer or internship opportunities. You should also contact any pre-med organizations or associations that you may be a member of as they may be able to help you find internships or networking opportunities.

2. Look up healthcare facilities online and contact them directly if you cannot find a contact person.

3. Check out online job postings for medical and clinical internships. Employers may post open internship positions on career websites, job search engines, and social media job boards.

4. Use your network of contacts to get leads on internships. Ask your family, friends and colleagues if they know of any openings.

5. Attend job fairs, career panels and networking events. These events can provide you with the opportunity to make contacts in the healthcare industry and learn about potential internships.
I hope this helps. Good luck.
1