1 answer
Alaina
Student
New Bedford, Massachusetts
1
Question
Asked
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When and how should I start my path towards my career I wandoctor so should be starting with volunteering or something soon? Also I am a sophmore in high school ?
When and how should I start my path towards my career? I want to be a doctor so should be starting with volunteering or something soon? Also I am a sophmore in high school
1 answer
Niha D
Physical Therapist
60
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Niha’s Answer
Yes, you can start as early as high school! Colleges can have early start or direct admission programs to medical schools following undergraduate, so if you want to try and apply to those locations, you definitely want to begin looking during high school.
1) Get in touch with doctors for observation hours. Look up doctors in the area and find out how to contact them professionally. Have a set script of what you want to send in an email and/or say over a phone call. Introduce yourself, what year of school you're in, and that you would like to observe them to get a better understanding of the field. Have an idea of what time you are able to commit to this so you can give them an estimate. Make sure you account for drive time and your parents/guardians availability as they will need to drive you places! Get in touch with as many people as you can, and expect a lot of no's. Don't be discouraged, eventually, you will find a yes.
2) Look into clubs at school! Being around like minded peers can be helpful and they may be able to answer questions you have in the moment, or even specific to the area you live in.
a) at least one club specific to healthcare would be encouraged to get a better idea of the healthcare field. There is a lot to healthcare outside of just treating a patient. There are hundreds of different ways to be in healthcare, and being introduced to them early can help you gain deeper understanding and appreciation of what it takes to be a part of the medical system.
b) I encourage having another club that does some kind of volunteering. It doesn't have to be related to healthcare, though that can be a bonus. This will help set you up for better time management. You will meet all kinds of people when doing community service, so that will give you a better idea of how to treat all kinds of patients in the future. Volunteering on its own is also very rewarding, and can help lead you to new populations you may find yourself wanting to treat as doctor in the future!
c) make sure you leave time to continue with at least one hobby outside of your future career. Becoming and being a doctor can be time consuming and life altering; you want to make sure you maintain room in your life for things outside your career. This hobby, with dedication, also will help you be more well rounded in college applications.
3) Volunteering/Working. Following observation, think about volunteering/working within a healthcare field. High school student volunteers are common in hospitals, and some clinics may be willing to hire help for the front desk or sorting non patient information paperwork. The same rules as for observation apply, try and reach out wherever you have an interest. Worst someone can do is say no!
4) Your grades. All of the above three items have to be in addition to your grades. Your GPA will set you up for scholarships for college as well as help create study habits that stick with you for the rest of the journey to becoming a surgeon. It's important to review materials as they come and study for exams well in advance.
5) If you can choose classes, choose ones that are relevant to the biology or medical fields. See if your school or nearby college offers courses that can be counted as college credit, which can help lessen the credit load in your undergraduate years.
These are the basic steps during high school, so make sure you plan out a schedule that is moderately flexible so you can adapt as life happens! Don't try to do everything at once, and keep track of everything you do the next four years, even if it's a healthcare event, as all of it become relevant when applying to colleges if you want it to be!
1) Get in touch with doctors for observation hours. Look up doctors in the area and find out how to contact them professionally. Have a set script of what you want to send in an email and/or say over a phone call. Introduce yourself, what year of school you're in, and that you would like to observe them to get a better understanding of the field. Have an idea of what time you are able to commit to this so you can give them an estimate. Make sure you account for drive time and your parents/guardians availability as they will need to drive you places! Get in touch with as many people as you can, and expect a lot of no's. Don't be discouraged, eventually, you will find a yes.
2) Look into clubs at school! Being around like minded peers can be helpful and they may be able to answer questions you have in the moment, or even specific to the area you live in.
a) at least one club specific to healthcare would be encouraged to get a better idea of the healthcare field. There is a lot to healthcare outside of just treating a patient. There are hundreds of different ways to be in healthcare, and being introduced to them early can help you gain deeper understanding and appreciation of what it takes to be a part of the medical system.
b) I encourage having another club that does some kind of volunteering. It doesn't have to be related to healthcare, though that can be a bonus. This will help set you up for better time management. You will meet all kinds of people when doing community service, so that will give you a better idea of how to treat all kinds of patients in the future. Volunteering on its own is also very rewarding, and can help lead you to new populations you may find yourself wanting to treat as doctor in the future!
c) make sure you leave time to continue with at least one hobby outside of your future career. Becoming and being a doctor can be time consuming and life altering; you want to make sure you maintain room in your life for things outside your career. This hobby, with dedication, also will help you be more well rounded in college applications.
3) Volunteering/Working. Following observation, think about volunteering/working within a healthcare field. High school student volunteers are common in hospitals, and some clinics may be willing to hire help for the front desk or sorting non patient information paperwork. The same rules as for observation apply, try and reach out wherever you have an interest. Worst someone can do is say no!
4) Your grades. All of the above three items have to be in addition to your grades. Your GPA will set you up for scholarships for college as well as help create study habits that stick with you for the rest of the journey to becoming a surgeon. It's important to review materials as they come and study for exams well in advance.
5) If you can choose classes, choose ones that are relevant to the biology or medical fields. See if your school or nearby college offers courses that can be counted as college credit, which can help lessen the credit load in your undergraduate years.
These are the basic steps during high school, so make sure you plan out a schedule that is moderately flexible so you can adapt as life happens! Don't try to do everything at once, and keep track of everything you do the next four years, even if it's a healthcare event, as all of it become relevant when applying to colleges if you want it to be!
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