How To Find Health Shadowing Program And Opportunities

We know it is difficult searching how to find health shadowing program. Hello everyone, my name is Pranshul and I am one of the Biological and Health Sciences mentors at ReadyEdgeGo. In this blog, I will discuss one of the biggest topics in high school for students interested in health sciences, shadowing. When you hear this word, it may make you stressed as your peers may have shadowed but you haven’t had a chance yet. First thing, do not be stressed if you haven’t shadowed or don’t get a chance to shadow in high school. The main reason for shadowing should not be to check another box for your application, but rather as an opportunity to explore if the career you are interested in is actually the right fit for you.

Health Shadowing Tips

During shadowing, you should act like a sponge. This isn’t a chance for you to speak too much. (although, if you’re asked a question or spoken to, don’t be afraid to speak.). However mainly a chance for you to absorb knowledge and gain an understanding of what this profession is like on a day-to-day basis. This applies to all careers, not just healthcare. You should come out of your shadowing experience with a better understanding of whether you can see yourself in that role for the rest of your life!

With that being said, here are my tips to acquire shadowing experience, with an emphasis in healthcare fields.

Who Should I Reach Out To In Health Shadowing?

Shadowing in hospitals has changed significantly. (as did most things.) After COVID and it has become harder to find these experiences as hospitals have lessened their acceptance of high school students. With that said, make sure you reach out to clinics/offices that don’t handle COVID patients. This mainly includes any health clinic that doesn’t have urgent care or an emergency room. Think of your primary care physician’s office. Most likely, they do not work in a large hospital and they are a great person to reach out to initially. Next time you are getting a physical or a check-up, bring up the idea of you shadowing them and see how they respond. Most likely, they will be happy with your interest in medicine. Another great resource is family or friends that are in healthcare and can get you in touch with people that are willing to take high school students.

Shadowing A Doctor. What If My Primary Care/Family Friends Say No?

Then it’s time to start “cold-emailing.” Perhaps ask any peers if they have had shadowing experiences and see if you can get contact information from them. Use Google and search for healthcare professionals in your area that mainly work in clinics and email them. You may have to send out 20-30 emails before you finally get a response. It is a tedious process, but worth it for that one response.

What Should I Do When I Get Into A Health Shadowing Program?

Make a good impression! Dress professionally (doesn’t have to be a tuxedo, but don’t come in jeans and a tank-top). Act professionally, don’t make the doctor’s day harder. You should act like a fly-on-the-wall, make it so you are observing them but not getting in their way, save questions for when they have time! And if possible, schedule a few days to shadow them. The more time you spend with the physician, the better idea you will have for if you actually like the profession!

Lastly, have fun! This should not be a stressful time but rather a chance for you to see if this is your passion. Do you want to spend the rest of your life in the position you are health shadowing? Do not feel as if you have to shadow during high school, it doesn’t hurt if you do or don’t. But, it is expected that you shadow at least one doctor in undergrad if medicine is your path in biological sciences that you wish to pursue!

About ReadyEdgeGo

We specialize in youth mentorship and college counseling. From 8th grade to 12th, we have you covered for any stage in your high school career. We also have great summer programs. Also summer health shadowing programs for you in correlation with many of today’s top universities. Schedule a free consultation with us here.

We are always posting more helpful tips and tricks to help reduce the stress of college application season. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

See you soon!

Pranshul Goel

ReadyEdgeGo Mentor – Biological and Health Sciences

Sarah Gooch

Essay Editor

Q:How many total years of experience do you have in your current role, including but not limited to ReadyEdgeGo?

A: I have five years' experience in coaching student writing, but this is my first year with ReadyEdgeGo.

Q: What about working with students do you most enjoy?

A: I love helping students find depth and meaning in their own stories—but I also just love it when they make me laugh!

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: In theory, I enjoy painting and writing poetry, but these days I actually spend most of my free time socializing or watching movies with my husband.

Q: What is your one piece of advice for high schoolers?

A: Don't just focus on achieving top grades and credentials because they look good on applications, or your education will be meaningless. The numbers and awards have their place, but stay connected to your sense of curiosity, discovery, excitement, and wonder so that the content you're learning is constantly transforming you—it's something you care about, something you remember after the final exam. Work on the aspects of yourself no one can measure, like integrity, wisdom, kindness, and compassion, so that you're not only developing your academic and career potential but also investing in the type of adult you're going to be, the person you'll have to live with after you clock out every day for the rest of your life.

Doing the hard inner work of building your character and learning deeply instead of just earning grades will set you up for a satisfying, well-rounded life. Strange as it sounds, it will also put you ahead in your academic and career goals, because colleges and hiring managers aren't looking for an empty set of data on a spreadsheet; they want a fully fleshed-out person marked by passion, creativity, and a story no one else has lived.

So go on studying hard for tests, but also spend some time asking yourself what matters in life and who your role models are. Read up on topics that amaze you, and build something incredible just for fun. Cultivate that spark of joy you feel when you're immersed in a subject that fascinates you. If you can hit that balancing act of doing your homework and meeting deadlines but also investing in the kind of person you want to be, then trust that all the rest will follow: schools will recognize you as a dynamic, all-star person, and you will also build a life of happiness, close relationships, and peace.

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