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If I'm interested in pursuing medicine what kind of jobs should I get as a teen?
I'm a highschooler interested in medicine and I was wondering if the job I get has to be related to this. I'm going to try and do volunteering this summer along with babysitting but what job should I get? I was thinking an acai bowl shop but I'm not sure if that will be okay.
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Karyme’s Answer
Hello!
Getting a summer job as a teen is off to a good start! You will learn a lot, such as communication skills, adaptability, counting money, numbers, etc. I started off at retail and did four years of it! It was fun! I learned a lot from talking to diverse people and got experience styling my clothes, cashiering, and getting out of my shell.
For medicine, I suggest volunteering at a clinic (Veteran Affairs, free clinic, blood blank), hospital settings, nursing homes, etc. You can start calling places and ask to speak to the manager, supervisor, or clinical coordinator. You can also send letters via mail or email or directly go in person. Ask your mom, dad, guardian, or siblings to drive you to specific locations and drop off letters with your contact information. You can also try surgery centers to shadow doctors (MD/DO). Aim for different specialties (ENT, Ortho, peds, OB/GYN); that is how you'll get experience! Ensure you write down all the hours, what you did, how many patients/cases you saw, and what you learned. (Try to create a Google Doc or Excel sheet to track your hours. Create a table, and every time you go and shadow a doctor, write down the number of hours. This would be helpful to put on your resume later on and when applying to Medical School or Physician Assistant school).
Specific private clinics can train you on the job with or without a certification! I don't know how old you are, but once you reach 18 or so, you can try this, and it could help you get more experience in the healthcare field.
I hope this helps and you got this! Do not feel discouraged if someone says no to you. Remember, NO could also mean the Next Opportunity.
Getting a summer job as a teen is off to a good start! You will learn a lot, such as communication skills, adaptability, counting money, numbers, etc. I started off at retail and did four years of it! It was fun! I learned a lot from talking to diverse people and got experience styling my clothes, cashiering, and getting out of my shell.
For medicine, I suggest volunteering at a clinic (Veteran Affairs, free clinic, blood blank), hospital settings, nursing homes, etc. You can start calling places and ask to speak to the manager, supervisor, or clinical coordinator. You can also send letters via mail or email or directly go in person. Ask your mom, dad, guardian, or siblings to drive you to specific locations and drop off letters with your contact information. You can also try surgery centers to shadow doctors (MD/DO). Aim for different specialties (ENT, Ortho, peds, OB/GYN); that is how you'll get experience! Ensure you write down all the hours, what you did, how many patients/cases you saw, and what you learned. (Try to create a Google Doc or Excel sheet to track your hours. Create a table, and every time you go and shadow a doctor, write down the number of hours. This would be helpful to put on your resume later on and when applying to Medical School or Physician Assistant school).
Specific private clinics can train you on the job with or without a certification! I don't know how old you are, but once you reach 18 or so, you can try this, and it could help you get more experience in the healthcare field.
I hope this helps and you got this! Do not feel discouraged if someone says no to you. Remember, NO could also mean the Next Opportunity.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
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James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Emilka,
It’s great that you’re thinking about your future career path so early on! While working at an acai bowl shop won’t directly give you medical experience, it’s a perfectly fine job for a high schooler. Here’s why:
Any job can teach you valuable skills:
Responsibility: Holding down a job teaches you time management, reliability, and the importance of fulfilling your commitments. These are essential skills for any career, including medicine.
Communication: Interacting with customers, coworkers, and managers will improve your communication skills, which are crucial for doctors who need to explain complex medical information to patients.
Problem-solving: Even a seemingly simple job like making acai bowls can involve problem-solving, like figuring out how to handle a rush of customers or dealing with a customer who has a special request.
Teamwork: Working in a team environment teaches you how to collaborate, compromise, and support others.
Jobs that might be more directly related to medicine:
Volunteer at a hospital or clinic: This is a great way to get firsthand experience in a medical setting. You can help with tasks like assisting nurses, answering phones, or transporting patients.
Shadow a doctor or other healthcare professional: This allows you to observe their work and learn about different medical specialties.
Work as a medical assistant: This job involves taking patient histories, vital signs, and assisting doctors with procedures.
Tutor younger students in science or biology: This will help you solidify your understanding of these subjects and develop your teaching skills.
Remember:
Don’t be afraid to try different things: You don’t have to know exactly what you want to do in medicine yet. Explore different areas and see what interests you.
Focus on developing your skills: Any job you take can help you grow as a person and develop skills that will be valuable in your future career.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help: Talk to your guidance counselor, teachers, or family members about your career goals. They can offer advice and support.
Ultimately, the best job for you is the one that you enjoy and that helps you learn and grow. Good luck with your future endeavors!
God Bless,
JC.
It’s great that you’re thinking about your future career path so early on! While working at an acai bowl shop won’t directly give you medical experience, it’s a perfectly fine job for a high schooler. Here’s why:
Any job can teach you valuable skills:
Responsibility: Holding down a job teaches you time management, reliability, and the importance of fulfilling your commitments. These are essential skills for any career, including medicine.
Communication: Interacting with customers, coworkers, and managers will improve your communication skills, which are crucial for doctors who need to explain complex medical information to patients.
Problem-solving: Even a seemingly simple job like making acai bowls can involve problem-solving, like figuring out how to handle a rush of customers or dealing with a customer who has a special request.
Teamwork: Working in a team environment teaches you how to collaborate, compromise, and support others.
Jobs that might be more directly related to medicine:
Volunteer at a hospital or clinic: This is a great way to get firsthand experience in a medical setting. You can help with tasks like assisting nurses, answering phones, or transporting patients.
Shadow a doctor or other healthcare professional: This allows you to observe their work and learn about different medical specialties.
Work as a medical assistant: This job involves taking patient histories, vital signs, and assisting doctors with procedures.
Tutor younger students in science or biology: This will help you solidify your understanding of these subjects and develop your teaching skills.
Remember:
Don’t be afraid to try different things: You don’t have to know exactly what you want to do in medicine yet. Explore different areas and see what interests you.
Focus on developing your skills: Any job you take can help you grow as a person and develop skills that will be valuable in your future career.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help: Talk to your guidance counselor, teachers, or family members about your career goals. They can offer advice and support.
Ultimately, the best job for you is the one that you enjoy and that helps you learn and grow. Good luck with your future endeavors!
God Bless,
JC.
Updated
Hwal’s Answer
Emilka,
If you're like me as a young person interested in a career in medicine, you might feel like any job or volunteer work has to be related to medicine and healthcare even though you're (also) interested in many other opportunities outside of medicine and healthcare. I quickly grew out of this and learned to get the balance right between preparing for graduate school application and pursuing opportunities that I enjoyed the most, and I look hope the same for you. An acai bowl shop sounds like a fun gig, kind of like how much I enjoyed my first job at Subway as a 'sandwich artist.' A free 6' sub each shift made the experience that much more memorable. I hope you pursue opportunities that give you enjoyment, personal development, and excitement.
Good luck!
Hwal
If you're like me as a young person interested in a career in medicine, you might feel like any job or volunteer work has to be related to medicine and healthcare even though you're (also) interested in many other opportunities outside of medicine and healthcare. I quickly grew out of this and learned to get the balance right between preparing for graduate school application and pursuing opportunities that I enjoyed the most, and I look hope the same for you. An acai bowl shop sounds like a fun gig, kind of like how much I enjoyed my first job at Subway as a 'sandwich artist.' A free 6' sub each shift made the experience that much more memorable. I hope you pursue opportunities that give you enjoyment, personal development, and excitement.
Good luck!
Hwal