Job Shadowing
What is Shadowing?
Job shadowing involves observing a healthcare professional working in your field of interest to learn more about their role, responsibilities, and work environment. Ideally, you will also have the opportunity to ask questions to learn more about their educational and career path. You can shadow a professional for a few hours, a few days, or even weeks.
Why is Shadowing Important?
Shadowing provides you with real-world exposure to the career field you wish you pursue. The insight gained from shadowing experiences can help you to clarify your career interests and inform your decision about whether a career field is a good fit. It also provides you with valuable experience you can talk about in the application process to professional schools, if you can connect your takeaways from your shadowing experiences to your motivation for pursuing a career path.
Is Shadowing Required?
To be considered a competitive applicant, every professional health program will require that you have some real-world exposure to the career field you wish to pursue. However, because exposure can be gained in many ways, some programs have a true shadowing requirement while others do not. It is important to research the programs you are interested so that you are aware of any shadowing requirements.
How to Find Shadowing Experiences
Finding shadowing experiences can require a lot of time and effort, but don’t be discouraged! The following are some common ways that students get involved:
Do you have a personal provider, family member, friend, friend of a friend, mentor, etc., who works in the field? Personal contacts are a great place to start.
Look into local large hospitals, clinics, outpatient centers, retailers (specifically for pharmacy and optometry related experience), etc. Depending on the organization, you can start by looking at their website to see if they provide any opportunities and information on more formal shadowing programs – this will usually, but not always, only exist with larger hospitals and clinics. Otherwise, you can reach out directly via phone or email to ask about opportunities.
- For pre-med and pre-PA students, consider applying to the MSU College of Human Medicine and MSU Department of Surgery’s formal, but limited (usually half-day), shadowing opportunities.
- Consider applying to UM Health – Sparrow’s formal, but limited, shadowing opportunities. Note: if you wish to shadow a physician, you will be required to find a provider on your own. For other healthcare careers, you will be paired with a provider through the application process.
Some (e.g., pre-med clubs, pre-dental clubs, etc.) may offer shadowing opportunities to their members. Visit Involve@State to view a full list of student organizations available at MSU.
Utilize LinkedIn to search for and connect with MSU alumni who are working in the field – many may be excited to hear from and connect with current MSU students. Don’t have a LinkedIn? Work with MSU Career Services Network to create and learn how to navigate this social and professional network!
Virtual shadowing typically involves tuning into a live virtual presentation, or watching a previous recording of a presentation, where a healthcare professional discusses their educational and career path, “day in the life” of their work, and more. Virtual shadowing experiences are meant to act as a supplement to other in-person shadowing and clinical experiences, rather than as a replacement. Different professional schools will evaluate virtual shadowing experiences differently. Regardless of how these experiences will be evaluated in the application process, they can still serve as a great way for you to continue exploring and learning more about the career field(s) you are interested in!
Before, During, and After Shadowing
To get the most out of your shadowing experience, it’s important to be prepared! Have an upcoming shadowing experience already confirmed? Use the guide below to find out what you should do before, during, and after you shadow.
- Make sure you are clear on any logistics of your shadowing experience, including but
not limited to:
- Date, time, location, parking details, dress code, etc.
- Complete any required background checks, HIPAA trainings, paperwork, etc.
- If you have questions regarding logistics, reach out to the shadowing site in advance to ask.
- Do your homework and know who you are shadowing, their specialty area (if applicable), educational background, and any other information you might be able to find about them on the organizations’ website.
- Prepare a list of questions – this is a must! The following are example questions
you could ask, but remember that this is your learning experience. Think about what you want to learn from the experience and tailor
your questions accordingly.
- What did you like most or least about the job?
- What does a typical workweek look like?
- Is the job outlook for this profession growing?
- Do you participate in continuing education? How do you stay up to date and current?
- What advice do you have for someone pursuing this career?
- How did you know this was the right career for you? Did you consider other careers?
- What is the biggest challenge you face in your job?
- Bring something small (ideally, not your phone) to take notes on.
- Be on time. If possible, arrive a few minutes early.
- Dress professionally.
- You can expect to be following the provider around, observing their work, and observing what’s going on around you. Be attentive, engaged, and respectful of everyone. Keep your cellphone put away and on silent.
- Ask questions and take notes at appropriate times.
- Respect the privacy of the patients you encounter. Do not include patient names in your notes or share their names/information outside of this setting.
- Send a thank you e-mail or card to the provider you shadowed within one week of the shadowing experience. Shared a little bit about what you learned and your genuine appreciate for their time and expertise.
- You will be asked to share this information later when applying to professional schools,
so it is important to:
- Document the logistics your shadowing experience: when, where, duration, provider and their specialty area, provider’s contact information
- Reflect on your experience.
- What did you learn that you didn’t know previously?
- What did you like?
- What did you dislike?
- Are you motivated to continue working toward this career path after this experience? Why or why not?