Work experience is a requirement for nearly all medical schools. As well as demonstrating commitment and motivation in their UCAS form and at interview, it is a good way of helping applicants decide whether medicine is the most suitable career path. Applicants may be able to do some work “shadowing” which will give them an insight into how the profession functions and what the day-to-day routine is like. It is advisable for applicants to try and get experience of both primary and secondary care environments. If neither of these is possible, then some kind of voluntary work in a social care environment may be adequate.

Top tips

Arrange the work experience without additional help - This shows a proactive approach. Applicants should try to avoid taking work experience with family members.

Keep a diary

- This will help applicants reflect on their experiences and to remember specific incidences to talk about at interview.

Don't turn anything down

- Experience is difficult to find. Even an afternoon or a one-off observation can be useful.

Commitment

- It’s often better for applicants to try and get a few hours experience a week over a period of time than a one-off stint.

Observe the Profession

- It is more important that applicants pay attention to what a doctor does, how he/she communicates and how he/she works as a team, etc. rather than trying to remember specific procedures or diseases.

Act early and be persistent

- Places are limited and hospitals are busy places. Being committed enough to secure a placement will demonstrate the applicants motivation for achieving a place at medical school. Applicants should be polite but persistent.

Ideas for finding work experience:

• Phone local NHS Trust – many of them have specific people employed to help find students work experience
• Speak to a GP – if they can’t help then they may know of another surgery that can
• Use existing contacts – friends, family who can put the applicant in touch with a colleague that might be able to assist further
• Connexions
• Phone the admissions department of a local medical school

Voluntary work is also important. It demonstrates commitment, a positive attitude and a level of communication. It also helps applicants become aware of different social groups and their differing healthcare needs. Most voluntary organisations are crying out for help (e.g. visiting old people’s homes, working in a youth centre). It is rewarding and helps develop some of the skills needed for a career in medicine; for example, hospice volunteering gives applicants a valuable insight into the emotional side of working with the terminally ill. Applicants may also be able to volunteer in a counselling role such as Childline or the Samaritans.

Just gaining experience of a hospital environment can be invaluable experience, so getting a job as a hospital porter or support worker can be advantageous (look on NHS jobs website, in newspapers, at nursing agencies) for applicants.

Links:

Do it
Community Service Volunteers
Volunteering England
St John’s Ambulance volunteers
Hospice volunteering
Samaritans