Shadowing: what's the point?

[Febrifuge]

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I have a great experience going in my part-time ED tech job, and I have a great perspective on the workplace, the hours, the people, etc. Likewise, the people I work with have a sense of me and my abilities, my potential, etc. Since I'll be starting Post-Bac next Spring, I'm lined up for the 2007 app cycle.

So probably, I'm just being impatient. But school is 1200 miles away, and six months in the future, and it feels like maybe I ought to be doing more of the "typical pre-med stuff," like shadowing, while I have this great connection. But here are the issues, as I see 'em:

- Shadowing elsewhere wouldn't show me anything I can't see at work, really, and people I shadow would not get to know me better than the people I work with.
- On the other hand, while it might be nice to spend more time with the docs I know, and not have to simultaneously do my own work, it would be a little weird to be an "observer" in our workplace. (Wouldn't it? Is this something people do? I honestly have no idea.)
- And anyway, what would I do with a letter written in early 2005? Could I tuck something like that away for use down the road?

I'm just looking for perspectives on this, maybe even from people who were EMT's/ clinical assistants/ nursing assistants/ etc., and then went "away" for a while to finish post-bac stuff before getting into the med school app cycle.

The best advice I've gotten so far is to stay in touch with this crew, and in the glide year after post-bac, come back. I would love this, but it's not a sure thing, so I wonder if there's stuff I should be doing now.

(Pardon the overly-dramatic thread title. Just a little ploy for your attention.)

 

[ecoffin]

- And anyway, what would I do with a letter written in early 2005? Could I tuck something like that away for use down the road?

I can't really help you out with the shadowing questions, though I think shadowing is more for people who want a preview of the experience of being a doctor, and who don't have any hospital/medical experience, not for people who are already in the trenches.

I'm not sure why it would matter when you got you got a letter of recommendation, and places like interfolio (Interfolio Website) will hold them for you until they are ready to be sent, and will also send out multiple copies. I'm planning on using it whenever I get around to sending out my recommendation packets to folks (hopefully during winter break or over the summer).

Erica

 

[sidewalkman]

Well, if you don't know anything about certain specialties, shadowing can be good exposure. A new perspective is always good, and could change the way you view patient care. Worse case scenerio, it'll give you one more activity to put down and bring up during an interview. Best case, you get a killer LOR, great experience, and maybe even $$ in case they want to hire you. You really have nothing to lose.

Don't forget research, if that interests you. Basic science and/or clinical research can help round out your app.

Finally, if your school can't file LORs away, a service like Interfolio will.