![]() “Informational interview” is a fancy term for a simple concept: talking to people about what they do. If you are having difficulty identifying shadowing opportunities, consider setting up some informational interviews. ![]() What alternatives are there? Informational Interviewing Many (but not all) health care shadowing programs have suspended their in-person programs during COVID. For example, ThedaCare (a large healthcare system in Fox Cities) is currently limiting college student shadowing experiences to students who are required to shadow as part of their formal college curriculum, such as nursing school students. However, shadowing policies may vary at this point in time, especially at private or independent practice clinics. For example, there are private/independent veterinary clinics, dental clinics, physical therapy clinics, and other healthcare clinics in the area that are currently allowing shadowing for interested college students who reach out. If you want ideas for pandemic-era shadowing and connecting with health care professionals, this resource is for you! However, if you are in this situation, there are still options for you to connect with professionals in the field! You do not need to miss out on the insights and benefits that shadowing can offer. Unfortunately, many students continue to face shadowing access challenges due to the ongoing pandemic. Shadowing can be valuable in any field and some graduate school programs in health care require you to complete a minimum number of volunteer or shadowing hours to be considered for admission.Shadowing is an excellent way to explore careers in health care and medicine. The process of shadowing involves observing a professional in their daily work environment to experience the real-life routines and challenges of your field of interest. It allows you to explore and determine if it is a good career path for you, and it can enhance your credentials for applying to a professional or graduate program. Gaining experience during your undergraduate career serves two important purposes. How does this experience shape and mature your understanding of the profession?.What is the most surprising thing you learned or observed today?.Most graduate and professional programs in health sciences require a minimum number of hours of shadowing experience. Shadowing helps you understand more about a professional field of interest. It involves following a professional throughout their day, observing the ins-and-outs of the profession as a whole. Most pre-health admissions representatives want to see that you give freely of your time to support your community as well. ![]() While shadowing involves simply observing, volunteering allows you to actively perform tasks and make contributions to a workplace or organization.įor health care fields especially, experiences that offer direct patient contact are highly regarded by most admissions representatives. Volunteering is a vital component to understanding more about a professional field of interest. Through shadowing and volunteering, you can “try on” the various career pathways to see if you are on the right track. Real-world experience and exploration can help you identify your interests, values and skills outside of what you learn at VCU. Volunteering and shadowing "Try on" various career paths
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