You know you want to help people, and “healthcare” seems like the right path, but it’s a huge world. Before you commit to the rigorous coursework of a pre-health track, it’s smart to test the waters.
The best way to figure out if healthcare is for you isn’t just shadowing a doctor for 100 hours—it’s finding low-risk, high-insight experiences. These five steps require minimal commitment but give you maximum clarity.
1. The Informational Interview (1 Hour)
Forget asking for a job or a massive favor. An informational interview is a short, structured conversation designed only to gather career information. It’s one of the best ways to network without pressure.
How to Do It:
- Find a Target: Use LinkedIn (the profile we just built!) or ask family friends for a connection with a professional in a field you find interesting (e.g., Physical Therapist, Public Health Analyst, Nurse Manager).
- The Ask: Send a respectful, brief email requesting 15 minutes of their time. Be explicit: “I am an aspiring student exploring my career path and would greatly appreciate 15 minutes of your time to learn about your day-to-day work.”
- Key Question: Ask about the worst part of their job and the biggest surprise about their daily life. This gives you a realistic view, not just a highlight reel.
2. Volunteer in a Non-Clinical Setting (1-2 Hours/Week)
Clinical volunteering (directly touching patients) is often reserved for those 18 or older. However, non-clinical roles are readily available and help you understand the system of health, which is crucial.
Where to Look:
- Food Banks or Shelters: These sites deal directly with the social determinants of health (food insecurity, housing) that heavily impact patient outcomes. This experience builds Service Orientation and Cultural Awareness .
- Administrative Support: Call your local hospital or clinic and ask if they need help with filing, organizing, or patient check-in. This exposes you to the administrative side of healthcare.
- Community Health Fairs: Volunteer to help set up, direct traffic, or manage simple intake at local wellness events.
3. The Digital Deep Dive: Day-in-the-Life Videos (30 Minutes)
Use YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok to your advantage, but with a specific, structured goal. Instead of passively watching, search for realistic content creators.
What to Search For:
- “Day in the Life of a Medical Assistant”: MAs are on the front lines, giving you an honest look at clinical volume and workflow.
- “What I Wish I Knew Before Med School”: Look for honest videos that discuss burnout, stress, and balancing life outside of work.
- Explore Non-MD Roles: Research careers like Occupational Therapy (OT), Respiratory Therapy (RT), or Health Informatics. These videos often provide clearer, less glamorous details about the day-to-day work than high-level admissions sites.
4. Join a Relevant Campus or Community Club (Low Cost, High Engagement)
Get involved with organizations that focus on the intersection of health and your interests, rather than just the clinical side.
Smart Club Choices:
- Medical Ethics or Debate Club: Forces you to grapple with complex decisions in healthcare (like resource allocation or patient autonomy). This builds Critical Thinking.
- Health and Wellness Committee: Helps plan and execute programs that promote well-being for your peers (e.g., stress reduction workshops, fitness challenges). This demonstrates Service Orientation.
- Student Research Groups: Even if you’re not doing bench science, simply learning how research is designed and executed builds Scientific Inquiry skills.
5. Use the Library: Read Non-Fiction Health Narratives (Flexible Time)
To truly test your commitment, you need to understand the humanistic and systemic challenges of the field. Many successful applicants cite these books because they forced them to think deeply about care.
Suggested Reading (Ask your local library or bookstore):
- Being Mortal by Atul Gawande (Focuses on palliative care and the end-of-life process).
- Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder (Focuses on global health, health equity, and service).
- The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman (Focuses on cultural competency and communication barriers in medicine).
Conclusion
Exploring healthcare doesn’t require quitting your life and flying overseas; it requires intentionality and curiosity. By engaging in these low-commitment activities, you are doing more than just “checking boxes”—you’re gathering the authentic stories and self-reflections you’ll need to write powerful application essays later.
If these explorations reveal specific questions—like, “How do I balance shadowing with these other activities?” or “What’s the difference between a PA and an NP?”—don’t wait! Create an ICAM account today to learn more.
