3 answers
Emmy
Student
Bristol, Wisconsin
1
Question
Updated
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What are some of the best opportunities for undergraduates to explore healthcare/medical careers and careers in research?
I’m leaning toward pre-med, but I want to explore career paths of both an M.D. vs a Ph.D., and want to experience parts of both before choosing.
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3 answers
Martin Schoen
APRN
238
Answers
Ocala, Florida
Updated
Martin’s Answer
That's a great question, but indeed a challenging one to tackle. Embarking on a PhD journey is essentially choosing a path of research, in one form or another. It requires a passion for statistics and a firm commitment to delve into a highly specific research area. This path is typically academically driven, involving writing and publishing research articles. If this lifestyle sounds appealing to you, then this might be your path.
On the other hand, the MD pathway also involves research, but its primary focus is on applying the research findings. As a physician, your main role would be to use the data from research to enhance patient care outcomes.
These descriptions are quite basic, and there's also a third option that combines both paths. Many physicians graduate from an MD/PhD program or earn a PhD while in medical school or shortly after graduation. This allows them to merge the two worlds in their patient care practice.
To get a taste of these paths, consider gaining some experience in a lab or volunteering with a healthcare provider. This can offer valuable insights and help you decide which path suits you best. Remember, your journey is unique and the best choice is the one that aligns with your passion and goals.
On the other hand, the MD pathway also involves research, but its primary focus is on applying the research findings. As a physician, your main role would be to use the data from research to enhance patient care outcomes.
These descriptions are quite basic, and there's also a third option that combines both paths. Many physicians graduate from an MD/PhD program or earn a PhD while in medical school or shortly after graduation. This allows them to merge the two worlds in their patient care practice.
To get a taste of these paths, consider gaining some experience in a lab or volunteering with a healthcare provider. This can offer valuable insights and help you decide which path suits you best. Remember, your journey is unique and the best choice is the one that aligns with your passion and goals.
Thirada Boonrawd
Science research student
12
Answers
Bangkok, Thailand
Updated
Thirada’s Answer
Hi! It's great that you're considering an MD or PhD! Please see the list below for some info. These points assume you are attending university in the USA. The system in other countries may be different!
1. For research experience, try contacting professors who are in charge of labs that you are interested in. Please look at each lab's website and publications before contacting them, so you know what their research focus is. When you contact the lab, give them your resume, and express interest in their lab's research. Then, inquire about open research assistant positions, or undergraduate volunteer positions. If the lab(s) you contact have space for you, they will probably interview you before deciding if you can join or not. Finding a lab to join can be hard, but stay enthusiastic, and keep trying!
2. There are also labs in hospitals for clinical research. Some of this research is done on humans, so you can get some patient interaction experience For example, a lab that studies parkinson's disease might use a mouse model, patient cell lines, and also work with parkinson's patients directly. Doing clinical research can help you figure out if you like interacting with patients more (so you might pursue a healthcare career), or if you want to focus on the research aspect (so you might pursue a PhD).
3. Many universities have student clubs for pre-med, pre-PhD, nursing, pre-PA and pre-dental students. There are also general science clubs that hold informational sessions and career events for STEM students. Try attending some of the events/weekly club meetings to get some more information about what it's like to do an MD or PhD.
4. MD/PhD programs exist! It's a program where you earn both an MD and a PhD, but I heard it's very intense. However, it is an option if you are sure that you want to get both (not just one).
5. You should be able to find internships and shadowing experiences. Try using LinkedIn or other online job search platforms. Also, check on the websites of hospitals in your area. Usually, hospitals will list internship positions and job openings that you can apply for. When you're interning or shadowing, try talking to people who are working in the fields you're interested in. Figure out what their day to day life is like, what is required to follow that career path, and whether you would be happy pursuing that career.
6. Often, universities have a career center, or internship database that is freely accessible to students. Check with your university and make use of these resources!
7. Coursework can give you clues. There are undergraduate classes that are "research-based", or "healthcare/clinical-based". For example, I took a clinical neuroscience class, which is more "healthcare based", as we practiced being psychiatrists and interviewed actors to diagnose them and prescribe medication. Another class I took called cell and molecular neuroscience, focuses on research findings of several studies and what we can learn from those experiments (this would be more of a research-based class). An even more research-based class would be a lab course where you are performing experiments yourself. Some courses allow you to come up with your own experimental design (these are great because you can figure out if you enjoy the research process, which is the focus of a PhD!).
8. There may be volunteering opportunities through non-profit charity organizations, where you can interact with patients at a hospital or clinic. This might help you figure out if you want to do healthcare-related work. Better yet, you might realize you want to work with children, or the elderly, or neurodivergent individuals, or some of other population you want to focus on.
9. Many people do not get into medical school or graduate school (for PhD) right out of undergrad. It is common to take gap years to build up your resume. During the gap year(s), you can work in a hospital, at a company, do research in a lab, etc. If you apply and do not get in the first year, don't loose hope! It's VERY competitive! People who get in right out of undergrad are often very well prepared. For example, one professor told me that usually people who get into PhDs without a gap year have 4 straight years of research experience during undergrad (you're basically doing research the whole time!). These people also often have publications, presentations at conferences, worked on their own project, etc (lots of achievements!).
Hope that helps! Good luck!
1. For research experience, try contacting professors who are in charge of labs that you are interested in. Please look at each lab's website and publications before contacting them, so you know what their research focus is. When you contact the lab, give them your resume, and express interest in their lab's research. Then, inquire about open research assistant positions, or undergraduate volunteer positions. If the lab(s) you contact have space for you, they will probably interview you before deciding if you can join or not. Finding a lab to join can be hard, but stay enthusiastic, and keep trying!
2. There are also labs in hospitals for clinical research. Some of this research is done on humans, so you can get some patient interaction experience For example, a lab that studies parkinson's disease might use a mouse model, patient cell lines, and also work with parkinson's patients directly. Doing clinical research can help you figure out if you like interacting with patients more (so you might pursue a healthcare career), or if you want to focus on the research aspect (so you might pursue a PhD).
3. Many universities have student clubs for pre-med, pre-PhD, nursing, pre-PA and pre-dental students. There are also general science clubs that hold informational sessions and career events for STEM students. Try attending some of the events/weekly club meetings to get some more information about what it's like to do an MD or PhD.
4. MD/PhD programs exist! It's a program where you earn both an MD and a PhD, but I heard it's very intense. However, it is an option if you are sure that you want to get both (not just one).
5. You should be able to find internships and shadowing experiences. Try using LinkedIn or other online job search platforms. Also, check on the websites of hospitals in your area. Usually, hospitals will list internship positions and job openings that you can apply for. When you're interning or shadowing, try talking to people who are working in the fields you're interested in. Figure out what their day to day life is like, what is required to follow that career path, and whether you would be happy pursuing that career.
6. Often, universities have a career center, or internship database that is freely accessible to students. Check with your university and make use of these resources!
7. Coursework can give you clues. There are undergraduate classes that are "research-based", or "healthcare/clinical-based". For example, I took a clinical neuroscience class, which is more "healthcare based", as we practiced being psychiatrists and interviewed actors to diagnose them and prescribe medication. Another class I took called cell and molecular neuroscience, focuses on research findings of several studies and what we can learn from those experiments (this would be more of a research-based class). An even more research-based class would be a lab course where you are performing experiments yourself. Some courses allow you to come up with your own experimental design (these are great because you can figure out if you enjoy the research process, which is the focus of a PhD!).
8. There may be volunteering opportunities through non-profit charity organizations, where you can interact with patients at a hospital or clinic. This might help you figure out if you want to do healthcare-related work. Better yet, you might realize you want to work with children, or the elderly, or neurodivergent individuals, or some of other population you want to focus on.
9. Many people do not get into medical school or graduate school (for PhD) right out of undergrad. It is common to take gap years to build up your resume. During the gap year(s), you can work in a hospital, at a company, do research in a lab, etc. If you apply and do not get in the first year, don't loose hope! It's VERY competitive! People who get in right out of undergrad are often very well prepared. For example, one professor told me that usually people who get into PhDs without a gap year have 4 straight years of research experience during undergrad (you're basically doing research the whole time!). These people also often have publications, presentations at conferences, worked on their own project, etc (lots of achievements!).
Hope that helps! Good luck!
Hakeem Ola Saka
Freelancer
23
Answers
Maryland Heights, Missouri
Updated
Hakeem Ola’s Answer
Exploring healthcare, medical careers, and research opportunities as an undergraduate is crucial for gaining experience and making informed career decisions:
1. Internships and Volunteer Work
- Hospitals and Clinics: Many healthcare facilities offer internships or volunteer programs where you can gain firsthand experience working with patients and medical professionals.
- Research Laboratories: Look for internships at university labs, research institutions, or biotech companies.
- Public Health Organizations: Internships in public health can provide insights into health policy, community health, and epidemiology.
2. Research Programs
- Summer Research Programs: Programs like the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) or the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Summer Internship Program.
- University Research Opportunities: Many universities offer undergraduate research opportunities (UROPs) that allow students to work with faculty on research projects.
3. Shadowing Professionals
- Physician Shadowing: Shadow doctors in various specialties to understand their daily responsibilities and challenges.
- Research Scientist Shadowing:** Spend time with researchers to learn about the scientific process and laboratory techniques.
4. Student Organizations and Clubs
- Pre-Medical Societies: Join pre-med clubs that offer resources, networking opportunities, and support for students pursuing medical careers.
- Science and Research Clubs:** Engage with clubs focused on biology, chemistry, or other sciences that often facilitate research opportunities and guest lectures.
5. Workshops and Conferences
- Healthcare Conferences: Attend conferences to learn about the latest developments in medicine and healthcare.
- Research Symposiums: Participate in or attend symposiums where students present research findings.
6. Online Courses and Certifications
- MOOCs: Take online courses from platforms like Coursera, edX, or Khan Academy in subjects such as medical terminology, biostatistics, or public health.
- Certifications: Earn certifications in areas like clinical research, first aid, or health informatics.
7. Mentorship Programs
- Faculty Mentorship: Seek mentorship from professors or professionals in your field of interest.
- Alumni Networks: Connect with alumni working in healthcare or research to gain insights and advice.
8. Global Health Experiences
- Study Abroad Programs: Participate in study abroad programs focused on global health.
- Medical Missions: Join medical mission trips that provide healthcare services to underserved communities.
9. Coursework and Electives
- Specialized Courses: Enroll in courses related to healthcare and research, such as human anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and biochemistry.
- Capstone Projects: Engage in capstone or senior thesis projects that involve independent research.
10. Competitive Programs
- Amgen Scholars Program: Offers summer research opportunities at top institutions worldwide.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Programs: Provides various research opportunities and funding for undergraduates.
By engaging in these opportunities, undergraduates can gain valuable experience, develop skills, and build networks that will be beneficial for pursuing careers in healthcare, medicine, or research.
1. Internships and Volunteer Work
- Hospitals and Clinics: Many healthcare facilities offer internships or volunteer programs where you can gain firsthand experience working with patients and medical professionals.
- Research Laboratories: Look for internships at university labs, research institutions, or biotech companies.
- Public Health Organizations: Internships in public health can provide insights into health policy, community health, and epidemiology.
2. Research Programs
- Summer Research Programs: Programs like the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) or the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Summer Internship Program.
- University Research Opportunities: Many universities offer undergraduate research opportunities (UROPs) that allow students to work with faculty on research projects.
3. Shadowing Professionals
- Physician Shadowing: Shadow doctors in various specialties to understand their daily responsibilities and challenges.
- Research Scientist Shadowing:** Spend time with researchers to learn about the scientific process and laboratory techniques.
4. Student Organizations and Clubs
- Pre-Medical Societies: Join pre-med clubs that offer resources, networking opportunities, and support for students pursuing medical careers.
- Science and Research Clubs:** Engage with clubs focused on biology, chemistry, or other sciences that often facilitate research opportunities and guest lectures.
5. Workshops and Conferences
- Healthcare Conferences: Attend conferences to learn about the latest developments in medicine and healthcare.
- Research Symposiums: Participate in or attend symposiums where students present research findings.
6. Online Courses and Certifications
- MOOCs: Take online courses from platforms like Coursera, edX, or Khan Academy in subjects such as medical terminology, biostatistics, or public health.
- Certifications: Earn certifications in areas like clinical research, first aid, or health informatics.
7. Mentorship Programs
- Faculty Mentorship: Seek mentorship from professors or professionals in your field of interest.
- Alumni Networks: Connect with alumni working in healthcare or research to gain insights and advice.
8. Global Health Experiences
- Study Abroad Programs: Participate in study abroad programs focused on global health.
- Medical Missions: Join medical mission trips that provide healthcare services to underserved communities.
9. Coursework and Electives
- Specialized Courses: Enroll in courses related to healthcare and research, such as human anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and biochemistry.
- Capstone Projects: Engage in capstone or senior thesis projects that involve independent research.
10. Competitive Programs
- Amgen Scholars Program: Offers summer research opportunities at top institutions worldwide.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Programs: Provides various research opportunities and funding for undergraduates.
By engaging in these opportunities, undergraduates can gain valuable experience, develop skills, and build networks that will be beneficial for pursuing careers in healthcare, medicine, or research.