The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at DePauw chapter.
Shadowing is a great way to figure out what path you want to take in medicine as well as if being a physician aligns with what you see yourself as. As a first year student, I had no idea how to reach out to get these opportunities. Therefore, I thought it would be valuable to share with my DePauw peers since I am a current pre-health mentor.
- A simple way to get a shadowing opportunity would be to ask a family friend who is a physician. Don’t be afraid to ask, the worst they can do is say no.
- Another way would be to join an organization like MAPS (Minority Association of Pre-Health Students) that provides DePauw members with shadowing opportunities at places like IU Health or to Hendricks in Avon.
- Reaching out to our Pre-Health advisor through the Hubbard Center would also be a great starting point to gain contacts for shadowing opportunities.
- Lastly, reaching out to the coordinator for the hospital or to the doctor directly is another way to gain a shadowing opportunity. But, remember when you reach out to be professional and have a clear plan on what you want to say.
There are many ways to gain shadowing experience for pre-med, but it is up to you to reach out and seek them out. If you gain one shadowing experience, ask if they know someone else who you can shadow, and then the options are endless.