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We know it is difficult searching how to find health shadowing program. Learn how to find a program. How to get in. And how to excel once in.
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How To Find Health Shadowing Program And Opportunities

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

Ariana Lee

Senior Admissions Advisor

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

A: 12

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

A: I love hearing their stories. There's so much to discover about a person. It's very rewarding when my students get comfortable and know that I'm there for them.

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

A: Swim, read, write, sing, enjoy nature, and play with my two crazy boys.

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

A: Do what you love, and everything else will fall into place.

Julian Hoffman

Special Programs Manager

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

A: 5

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

A: Hearing each student's unique stories, guiding them in discovering their passions, and helping find their voice!

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

A: I am a figure skater, world traveler, dessert aficionado, and devotee of the Pioneer Woman, the Barefoot Contessa, and Maneet Chauhan!

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

A: Work hard now -- procrastinate later!

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.

Bernie Nguyen

Admissions Advisor

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

A: 5 years high school mentoring experience. I was heavily involved in it all throughout college and after graduating.

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

A: I love hearing about their passions and what they genuinely love to do. It also makes me extremely happy to.

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

A: I recently picked up the electric guitar! I also have multiple aquariums, and founded a company that built body armor.

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

A: Don't go down a path just because you think that's "what you're supposed to do." Life is more diverse and unexpected than any of us could ever know.

Joanna Yang Yowler

Senior Essay Editor & Program Specialist

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

A: 15

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

A: I love hearing students' stories and seeing their faces light up when they talk about their passions and dreams.

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

A: Cook, write, draw, save Azeroth .

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

A: Pursue dreams that matter to you and don't be afraid of forging your own path to where you want to go.

Graham Traylor

Senior Applications Advisor

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

A: 7 years

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

A: One of my favorite experiences working with students is opening student's eyes to possibilities they didn't know would be an option for them.

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

A: In my free time I like to stay active playing sports / running, but most of the time I am hanging out with my wife and daughter (usually with college sports on in the background).

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

A: It's possible there could be several colleges that are a good fit for you. Don't lock in on just one preferred option, and work toward finding places you can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

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Tylar Pendgraft

Director of Programs

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

A: 12

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

A: I love how open students are to learning and trying new things. As mentors, we get to see so much growth simply because our students are so open to new experiences and are looking forward to applying their learning and other skills.

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

A: In my free time I like to read and write. I also spend a lot of time just watching--my dogs, birds, trees. I also enjoy baking and cooking (even though I'm terrible at baking).

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

A: It's never too early or late to start practicing self-care. Build moments of joy and celebration into your week. Give yourself a treat for working hard. It's important to have things to look forward to. If you can get into the habit now, you'll have a much more balanced college experience.

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Anika Sharma

Essay Editor

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

A: 2

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

A: As a major advisor for students interested in the humanities, I’ve found it immensely rewarding to offer an outlet for students to explore ideas that they often don’t get to delve into at school. Watching a student light up when they realize that there is in fact a community around their specific interests is easily the best part of the job.

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

A: In my free time, I love to be outdoors - I've been hiking around the Bay Area and recently started biking again. I also volunteer at community gardens and trail restoration projects in San Francisco. When I'm not outside, you can find me reading visionary fiction, practicing yoga and qigong, or cooking.

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

A: My advice for high school students is to focus on the present! Use this time to learn more about yourself and the world around you. Solid values and a sense of self will allow you to make challenging decisions for the future and create the life you want.

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Tushar Singla

Chief Technology Officer

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

A: 4

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

A: Watching them accomplish great things.

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

A: Watch Formula 1, play ice hockey, and watch TV.

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

A: Spend time exploring different things -- you have a long time to become an expert.

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Dan Zhou

Chief Executive Officer

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

A: 16

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

A: Inspiring a student towards self discovery, and wanting to learn about everything there is in the world. Reaching this moment can take time, but it's what makes it worth it every time.

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

A: Outdoors hiking, photography, gardening, and reading.

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

A: Do the thing that moves you, or be moved by forces not your own. The choice is yours.

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