Why Are Pre-Med Internships Important?
9 Types of Internships for Pre-Med Students
Finding the Best Internships for Pre-Med Students
Tips for Landing a Pre-Med Internship
Why Are Pre-Med Internships Important?
When it comes to gaining experience as a prospective healthcare professional, pre-med internships are invaluable. The right experience can be transformative, offering opportunities to learn, grow, and make informed decisions about your future. Some of the top benefits of pre-med internships include:
- Practical, Hands-On Experience: Internships immerse students in real-world medical environments, allowing them to practice and refine essential skills. From patient interactions to observing procedures, these experiences bridge the gap between textbook knowledge and real-life application.
- A Glimpse Into the Medical Field: There’s no better way to understand what a career in healthcare entails than by experiencing it firsthand. Internships provide an insider’s perspective on the day-to-day realities of healthcare, helping students gain clarity about exactly what to expect.
- Discovering Your Career Path: Not all pre-med students know exactly which specialty or role they want to pursue from the get-go. Internships allow for exposure to various areas of medicine, making it easier to find a path that aligns with personal interests and strengths.
- Building a Strong Resume: Medical school admissions teams look for more than just impressive classroom performance. Internship experience shows a commitment to the field and demonstrates that a student is proactive in seeking opportunities to learn.
- Networking Opportunities: Internships connect students with professionals in the field, from doctors and nurses to administrators and researchers. These relationships can lead to valuable mentorships, letters of recommendation, and career placement.
- Evaluating Career Fit: Sometimes, the best way to determine whether medicine is the right path is to dive in. Internships can confirm a passion for healthcare — or, just as importantly, help you realize it may not be the right fit.
It’s a good idea to think of your pre-med internships as a chance to explore, learn, and grow, setting a strong foundation for your future education and career.
9 Types of Internships for Pre-Med Students
As a pre-med student, it’s important to take advantage of a range of internship opportunities in order to gain diverse experiences, explore different medical specialties, build valuable skills, and strengthen your application for medical school. The most popular types of internships include:
- Externships
Externships are short-term opportunities, often a few days or weeks, during which students shadow medical professionals without taking on any responsibilities themselves. These experiences can happen anywhere from hospitals to private practices and any medical setting in between, and are ideal for those wanting a quick introduction to the medical field. - Summer Internships
Many healthcare settings offer summer internships for pre-med students, creating opportunities to gain hands-on experience, shadow medical professionals, and deepen students’ understanding of the wide range of daily responsibilities within the medical field. - Cancer Treatment
Specialized pre-med internships in oncology give students a glimpse of cutting-edge cancer research and the latest available therapies. In addition to observing this groundbreaking work, students gain firsthand exposure to the realities of patient care, including the emotional and physical challenges faced by individuals undergoing treatment. - Humanitarian
Organizations like Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders offer internships that focus on providing healthcare in underserved or disaster-stricken communities. Students must be prepared to join challenging environments, work with limited resources, and address the medical and emotional needs of vulnerable populations. - Research
For students interested in the science behind medicine, research internships take place in laboratories and can involve a wide range of studies related to biology, chemistry, or medical advancements. These internships are particularly valuable if you’re considering academic medicine or pursuing an MD-PhD. - Nonprofit
Community health, public education, and advocacy are the focus of most nonprofit pre-med internships. Participants are likely to spend time organizing health outreach programs, educating the public on preventive care and wellness, collaborating with community leaders, and supporting initiatives that improve access to healthcare. - Healthcare Administration
A pre-med internship that explores the organizational side of medicine gives students experience with hospital management, policy-making, and operational tasks that make the system run day in and day out. It’s a great opportunity to learn how healthcare works behind the scenes. - Environmental Health
These internships explore the connection between health and the environment, looking closely at public health issues, sustainable practices, and how environmental factors contribute to disease. They’re an ideal fit for students passionate about addressing global health challenges and advancing preventive medicine through eco-conscious solutions. - Clinical Lab
Hands-on experience in clinical lab settings is incredibly valuable. In this environment, you’ll gain knowledge about lab testing, disease diagnostics, and the critical role laboratory work plays in patient care.
Finding the Best Internships for Pre-Med Students
Finding the right pre-med internship opportunities can be a game-changer for establishing your career path, gaining experience, and making med school applications as appealing as possible. When starting your search, consider checking out:
- Online job boards, such as Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor, that allow you to run focused searches by keyword and location.
- College or university career centers, which often have dedicated staff to help students find internships. They often have established relationships with healthcare organizations, can help you tailor your resume, and make introductions to established healthcare professionals.
- Networking opportunities at career fairs, industry conferences, and the like. You could meet people in the field who know about internship opportunities or can refer you to the right contacts.
- Organizations’ websites, which sometimes advertise directly. Make a habit of checking the career or student programs section of these sites to learn about openings for internships, externships, or volunteer positions.
Tips for Landing a Pre-Med Internship
It can be competitive to land a spot in a pre-med internship. Here are some tips to improve your chances of securing a coveted spot.
- Make sure your resume is up-to-date. Think of this as the all-important first impression on the healthcare professionals who will decide whether to award you an internship. Highlight your academic achievements, relevant coursework, volunteer experience, and any healthcare-related roles. Use clear formatting, concise language, and action-oriented phrases to make your qualifications stand out.
- Ensure that any relevant online profiles are fully fleshed out. Platforms like LinkedIn are increasingly used by employers to scout candidates. Make sure your profile is professional, complete, and aligns with your resume. Include a strong headline, a compelling summary, and details about your academic background, skills, and any relevant experiences. Don’t forget to engage by following organizations you’re interested in and connecting with professionals in the healthcare field.
- Prepare for interviews. Practice answering common questions, such as why you’re interested in the internship and what your long-term plans and goals are. It’s also helpful to familiarize yourself with the practice or organization that you’re hoping to join; for example, what they’re best known for, their mission, and values.
- Get to know your coworkers once you’re hired. Building strong relationships with your coworkers can enhance your internship experience and open doors for future opportunities. Ask questions that show genuine interest and curiosity in what they do, and don’t be afraid to inquire about their experiences.
FAQs
Do I have to complete an internship to get into medical school?
While pre-med internships are not required, they play a substantial role in building the hard and soft skills that medical school admissions teams look for.
Are pre-med internships paid?
On top of helping build your professional network and future career opportunities, many pre-med internships are paid, though it’s not likely to be a substantial paycheck.
Where can I find a pre-med internship?
Finding the right pre-med internship opportunities can be a game-changer for establishing your career path, gaining experience, and making med school applications as appealing as possible. It’s a good idea to stay up-to-date with online job boards, college or university career centers, networking events, and any other opportunities that come your way.
What types of internships are available to pre-med students?
Pre-med students have access to a variety of internships that provide valuable experience and help strengthen medical school applications. Popular options include externships, where students shadow medical professionals; summer internships offering hands-on experience during academic breaks; and specialized roles in areas like oncology, humanitarian aid, and research. Other opportunities focus on nonprofit work, healthcare administration, environmental health, and clinical lab settings, each offering unique insights into the medical field and helping students explore potential career paths.
Why are internships important for pre-med students?
When it comes to gaining experience as a prospective healthcare professional, pre-med internships are invaluable. The right experience can be transformative, offering opportunities to learn, grow, and make informed decisions about your future.
Set Yourself Up for Success
Ready to take the next step? Download our Medical School Application Timeline and Checklist to stay organized and on track throughout the application process. And don’t forget to explore ACT’s pre-med programs, designed to provide the education and support you need to succeed in healthcare.
