Career Observation

Learn about various occupations and professions by engaging in job shadowing and career observation opportunities.

Definitions

Job Shadowing

Shadowing can help with the decision-making process of selecting a major or career path. See firsthand the required skills, company culture, and potential career options. This experience promotes career awareness while reinforcing the connection between work requirements and classroom learning. It generally lasts an hour or two.

Career Observation

Career observation is one way for a pre-health student to get their required observation hours by following a healthcare professional throughout their workday. Students will gain a detailed understanding of daily tasks and responsibilities. Requirements in hours can vary depending on the degree. The term career observation is often interchanged with the term shadowing on clinic websites.

How to Search for Opportunities

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to search for career observation opportunities in the medical field.

Step 1: Identify Your Area of Interest

Before reaching out to medical facilities, take time to pinpoint your area of interest within the medical field. Do you want to shadow a doctor, nurse, medical technologist or other healthcare professional? Knowing the specific role you are interested in will help you narrow down your search and approach the right departments within a hospital or healthcare facility.

Step 2: Research Hospitals and Medical Facilities

Start by compiling a list of local hospitals, clinics, medical research centers or specialized health facilities that align with your interests. You can search online or visit websites such as:

Step 3: Check for Formal Career Observation/Shadowing Programs

Some hospitals and healthcare organizations have structured programs for career observation, often available on their career or volunteer program pages.

• Search for programs online: Look for keywords like “career observation” "job shadowing," "internship opportunities," "pre-med student opportunities," or "clinical volunteer programs" in the careers section of the facility’s website.

• Contact the program coordinator: If a formal program is listed, follow the application instructions provided on the website. If you can’t find information about a program, consider reaching out to inquire directly.

Step 4: Contact Human Resources (HR)

HR is typically the central point of contact for career observation opportunities at most medical facilities. Once you've identified potential hospitals or healthcare centers, get in touch with their HR department to ask about career observation opportunities. Here’s how you can proceed:

Find HR Contact Information

On the hospital or facility's website, go to the "Contact Us" or "Careers" section to find the HR department’s phone number or email address.

Reach Out Via Email or Phone

Step 5: Prepare Your Application or Documentation

If HR provides information about observation opportunities, they may ask for additional details or an application. You may need to:

• Fill out an online form or submit an application.

• Provide your resume and a brief letter of interest or personal statement.

• Submit any medical or immunization records (required by some medical facilities for safety or compliance reasons).

• Complete a background check or a confidentiality agreement.

Step 6: Follow Up

If you don’t hear back after a week or two, send a polite follow-up email or give HR a call to reiterate your interest and check the status of your request.

Step 7: Explore Alternative Pathways if Needed

If a particular facility doesn’t offer career observation or doesn’t have openings, consider these alternatives:

• Contact individual departments: You can contact specific departments (like emergency medicine, cardiology, etc.) directly to inquire about opportunities.

• Volunteer in other capacities: Some hospitals may not offer career observation but might offer volunteer opportunities in other areas, which could still give you exposure to the medical field.

• Network with professionals: Attend medical career fairs or networking events to meet professionals in your field of interest. You might find a mentor or observation opportunity through these connections.

Step 8: Prepare for the Career Observation Experience

Once you secure an observation opportunity:

• Review basic medical terminology: Familiarize yourself with common terms in the department you’ll be shadowing.

• Ask questions: Prepare thoughtful questions for the professional you’ll be shadowing.

• Be professional: Dress appropriately, arrive on time, and follow all hospital or facility protocols during your shadowing experience.

Additional Tips

• Leverage your network: If you have any friends, family members, or acquaintances in the medical field, ask them if they know of any career observation opportunities or if they can make introductions.

• Check online platforms: Some websites and organizations (like LinkedIn, Handshake, Indeed, or even specific healthcare volunteer organizations) list career observation/ job shadowing and internship opportunities in the medical field.

Observation Hours

Below are the recommended career observation hours and direct patient care hours for each pre-health program at UND. Please note that these are general recommendations, and you should verify the specific requirements of your intended professional schools. Each program may have different expectations regarding observation and direct patient care hours, which are typically detailed on their respective websites.

If you need any assistance with any of the steps above, please reach out to the Experiential Learning Center at UND.el-elc@UND.edu. If you need assistance with applications or putting professional documents together, please reach out to Career Services at UND.careerservices@UND.edu.