Can a high school student job shadow a surgeon?

I'm considering going into medicine and thinking about job shadowing a surgeon. Has anyone done this during high school? I'm curious about how to set it up and whether it's beneficial for a future in medicine.

Absolutely, a high school student can job shadow a surgeon. It's a great way to gain insight into the medical field and to determine if this career path aligns with your interests and goals. Not only will this experience provide a firsthand glimpse into the life and work of a surgeon, but it is also a unique extracurricular activity that can help distinguish your college applications.

Interacting with professionals in the field may offer an opportunity to gain networking contacts and potential mentors for your future career in medicine. Remember, it's essential your main focus during job shadowing is observing and learning rather than performing medical tasks.

Initiating a job shadowing arrangement involves reaching out to the appropriate parties. Hospitals - especially teaching hospitals - and healthcare facilities are excellent places to start. Some hospitals have established job shadowing or volunteer programs for students. You could also reach out directly to surgeons, expressing your interest and asking for an opportunity to observe their work.

When setting up the job shadowing experience, keep in mind it may require certain prerequisites such as immunizations or agreeing to patient confidentiality. Likewise, gaining access to the operating room may involve additional guidelines.

In sum, job shadowing a surgeon can be an invaluable learning experience and a significant step towards your future career in medicine. However, you should treat it as a learning experience rather than a boost to your application. Your level of involvement will likely be observation rather than direct participation due to the nature of the medical field. The experience you gain from shadowing can serve as a basis for personal development and informed decision-making about your career rather than a credential to impress on a resume or college application.