Getting more "Hands On" exposure in my field of interest?

[ScottMontgomery]

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I have read through the boards, and I see a ton of info about volunteering. None really answered my question.

Is there a way to get more exposure in the field that you want to go into? I currently volunteer 16 hrs a week at a local ER, its pretty cool, boring at times, but good exposure to at least some part of the health care system.

Upon acceptance and graduation from Med school, I would like an Internal Medicine residency and then move on to a fellowship for a sub specialty of I.D. (Infectious Diseases).

Is there a way which I can get exposure into the infectious diseases specialty other than shadowing? I am already shadowing an Internal Medicine physician and an ID Specialist.

I was just wondering if there are other options, figured some of the wealth of knowledge on this site would know!

Thanks in advance!!!!

 

[Dr Skeptismo]

If possible, do research in infectious disease before or during med school. That's really all I can think of. I don't think shadowing a ID doc as a premed is really going to impress a fellowship director at an interview 8 years from now.

There's really only so much you can do before MS1, so try and just focus on getting into school. I'm sure you've already heard this, but it bears repeating; you will probably change you mind after school starts.

 

[ScottMontgomery]

If possible, do research in infectious disease before or during med school. That's really all I can think of. I don't think shadowing a ID doc as a premed is really going to impress a fellowship director at an interview 8 years from now.

There's really only so much you can do before MS1, so try and just focus on getting into school. I'm sure you've already heard this, but it bears repeating; you will probably change you mind after school starts.

Not trying to impress a fellowship director. Sorry I was unclear in my post. I meant to get more exposure in my field of interest before med school. I meant as more extra curricular's to show on my med school application.

 

[Master Deep]

If possible, do research in infectious disease before or during med school. That's really all I can think of. I don't think shadowing a ID doc as a premed is really going to impress a fellowship director at an interview 8 years from now.

There's really only so much you can do before MS1, so try and just focus on getting into school. I'm sure you've already heard this, but it bears repeating; you will probably change you mind after school starts.

+1

Do research. But don't limit your options when you start medical school. Keep an open mind.

 

[Dr Skeptismo]

Not trying to impress a fellowship director. Sorry I was unclear in my post. I meant to get more exposure in my field of interest before med school. I meant as more extra curricular's to show on my med school application.

Other than research, I don't really think the ID field lends itself to many other non-doctor clinical positions. Maybe as an RN, NP, or PA, but I think those options might be a little impractical if you want to go to med school in the near future. You should ask the ID specialist your shadowing; I'd assume they'd have an idea of other ID relevant opportunities.

 

[ScottMontgomery]

+1

Do research. But don't limit your options when you start medical school. Keep an open mind.

Very much agreed. This is what I have a high interest in right now, sure that could change. I personally want to be a surgeon, but I suffer from mild postural hand tremors. So I think it would be a waste of time to try and get into that field, just to go a long way and find out its a lost cause. Note, my tremors are not bad at all, I dont think. i can do plenty of small tasks with my hands and fingers. Just seems the more I try to concentrate and hold my hands steady they tend to tremor a little more.

 

[Morsetlis]

ID also deals with STDs. One way to get involved is to counsel people at community centers or health clinics.

 

[ScottMontgomery]

ID also deals with STDs. One way to get involved is to counsel people at community centers or health clinics.

I am well aware of the field of ID, never thought about a seminar like that though. Thanks! I have been contemplating doing a research in ID as well, hoping for a publication, maybe as part of a group research, or under a professor or grad student.

 

[Morsetlis]

Well, I just thought that community work would be easier to get into than a field-specific research for undergrads.

 

[ScottMontgomery]

Well, I just thought that community work would be easier to get into than a field-specific research for undergrads.

I would agree with that, but easier doesn't always pay off....

I am definitely going to look into something like that though!

 

[JRainey]

See if there is a technician or aid position at your state/local hospital in your field of interest. Those tend to be incredible pre-med school jobs as far as types of experience is concerned (pay not so much ha).

 

[Morsetlis]

Considering that most of us have to do the hospital volunteering anyway getting paid $8 an hour to do it isn't so bad.