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ExploreHealthCareers.org/preenrichment
Start Your Health Career While You’re Still in School
Pre-enrichment programs help you prepare for an exciting health career.
“The way to develop self-confidence is to do the thing you fear and get a record of successful experiences behind you,” said William Jennings Bryan.
“The experience made me feel more comfortable working in a hospital, with other health care professionals, and even with the patients,” says high school senior, Sam Tompkins, who interned in the critical care unit of a Virginia hospital.
Enrolling in a pre-health enrichment program – a summer program, semester internship, volunteer position or part-time job – gives you practical work experience, builds confidence, and can help launch your health career before you’re out of school.
On ExploreHealthCareers.org, you can find a pre-health enrichment program right now (/en/ProgramSearch.aspx) by searching for opportunities in your chosen field of study, by program type, location or keyword.
Would you rather flip burgers this summer – or watch open heart surgery?
“I was wearing surgical scrubs and a mask, and standing over the chest cavity,” says high school senior Sam Tompkins, “I could see the patient’s heart beating.”
Sam is a high school senior who spent his summer working as a Unit Assistant in the critical care unit at Virginia Hospital Center. He earned $10.75 an hour stocking supplies, transporting patients for medical tests, and assisting the nurses with patient care.
A surgeon invited Sam into the operating room after he mentioned his interest in becoming a doctor. One of the many benefits of pre-enrichment programs is the opportunity to stand side by side with health professionals as they do their jobs.
“With pre-enrichment programs, anything is possible,” says Henryne Tobias, Project Director for ExploreHealthCareers.org. “If you’re careful, reliable, and enthusiastic, health care professionals are eager to share their world with you.”
Learn by doing
While some pre-health enrichment programs pay a stipend or wage to participants, many are unpaid and some involve a participation fee. Even if you get paid, the emphasis is on learning, not the earning.
A pre-health enrichment program lets you:
- “Try out” a health career – Find out what it’s like to work in a health care setting, learn what health care workers do every day, and decide which health career is right for you.
- Gain practical skills – You’ll work side by side with health professionals, helping patients, organizing equipment, managing records, and even assisting with procedures.
- Develop professionalism – Cultivate your “beside manner” with patients, and learn how to work effectively as part of a health care team.
- Find mentors – Build lasting relationships with health care professionals who can advise you now and throughout your health career.
- Get recommendations – A glowing letter from a doctor, nurse or allied health professional will make your application to college or a healthcare training program stand out.
A pre-health enrichment program looks great on your resume, and it could even lead to a job. The same organizations that offer pre-enrichment programs often hire individuals who’ve participated in their training programs.
Making the most of the learning experience
Once you’re enrolled in a pre-health enrichment program, look for every opportunity to learn. Watch professional health workers in action. Ask questions, and once you’ve earned their trust, see if they’ll teach you how to perform simple procedures yourself. Hands-on learning is the best way to master new skills.
Keep a diary or a running list of the things you do during your enrichment program. You’ll use this information to make your resume more specific, to write application essays, and to stand out in college and job interviews.
The more skills you practice and learn, the more confidence you’ll build. As part of a health care team, you’ll learn how to communicate effectively and coordinate your efforts with those of your colleagues. You’ll discover how health workers keep track of multiple patients, cope with personality clashes, and ensure that the patient’s needs come first.
In your journal, record anecdotes about moments that demonstrate your new “people skills.” Employers often ask applicants to “tell us about a time when you” solved a problem, resolved a conflict, or faced up to a mistake.
“Participating in a pre-health enrichment program is an excellent way to learn what it’s like to work in that field,” says Ms. Tobias. “It gives you invaluable experience and personal contacts, plus it can increase your chances of being accepted into the health professions program of your dreams.”
Plan your pre-health enrichment now
Start your search for a pre-health enrichment program on ExploreHealthCareers.org. You’ll get a list of programs that meet your criteria. If you want more options, here are some other online resources to help you find the perfect pre-enrichment program.
You can also contact hospitals and health care organizations in your area, including rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, free clinics and research institutions. Ask about formal pre-health enrichment programs and part-time jobs as well as volunteer opportunities for students interested in pursuing health careers.
Before you call, review the organization’s website to find specific areas where you could contribute and learn. For example, if you’re interested in sports training, physical therapy or occupational therapy, you might offer to assist the therapists at a rehabilitation facility.
Talk to people you know, especially those who work in or near health care environments. Give them your resume and explain exactly what kind of pre-health experience you’re interested in. The more clearly you can explain your own goals, the more easily people can help you find the right niche.
“The experience made me feel more comfortable working in a hospital, with other health care professionals, and even with the patients,” Sam says. “I’m more convinced than ever that this is what I want to do.”