I need to find a Job Shadow in the Medical Field. I want to know how I could approach locating a place which would allow me to Job Shadow with them.

Do you have any suggestions?

I would really appreciate your help on this, as I'm not sure how to go about this.

Thank you!

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Mary Joan's Response to this Question

Hi Rachel,
You mention you are interested in the medical field. But you don't give me much information about yourself, whether you are a student or working, or what area of the Medical Field you are interested in.

This limits my ability to address your question, so I will answer your question in a general way, so as to give you the tools to do the research you need to do, to answer your question yourself.

Job Shadowing Through a School System

Job Shadows were originally started through the school system. They would be arranged by the teachers, and employers would be dealing with the schools, so the teachers bore the responsibility for those students who would be going on the Job Shadows.

You can see why Job Shadows are best done through a high school, or a training program which is training students to be workers in the field. The schools bear the responsibility for those who are job shadowing, and employers don't have to be concerned. If you are a student, then I would suggest you talk to your teachers about this. They could guide you and answer your questions about the area you live in.

Sometimes a workplace will advertise that they are inviting the public to come visit and see what they are doing. Possibly a new hospital might do this. This is usually an aspect of their Public Relations Campaign, so they want people to visit. But in the medical field, it's not likely you'll hear of many Open Invitations to the public, once the place is up and running.

Job Shadowing On Your Own

If you are on your own, the Training Schools might be a good place to start. You could go around to the schools who are training medical personnel and ask if they know of any places that are open to job shadowing, and where they have done their job shadows, if any. They might recommend places and people you could talk to, and how you might approach it. That would be your first lead.

Job Shadowing privately is tricky. Employers can be very protective of their workplaces. I'm thinking of special clinics, places where medical research is going on, vaccine processing plants, where they have to take precautions to make sure no one gets in, who can do damage to their workplace, steal anything, spread germs etc. Job Shadowing in the Medical Field can be sensitive.

Usually to get "inside" and talk to the workers, and see what they are doing, you would have to know someone who could vouch for you. Knowing someone in the medical field, even if it's your own doctor, may help. You could make an appointment to see a doctor, and go in and ask if they could suggest where you could Job Shadow. At least then, you are going through a medical doctor.

That being said, If you are approaching it totally on your own, and not going through anyone who can vouch for you, then you might consider places that are open to the public, like public hospitals, public clinics, dental offices, medical offices, any place in your area where people can walk in off the street, and are allowed to approach the person on Reception.

Going the Informational Interview Route

Going the Informational Interview route first might be your best bet. People are more open to answering questions. That will get you access to someone who is willing to at least talk with you. During the interview you would aim at establishing a good rapport with the person. As with everything, this is key.

Showing them how interested you are in this area, and talking about the research you have done about the field is helpful. To prepare for these interviews, check out the Question Lists that I have on my website - 20 Basic Informational Interview Questions
and 50 Research Questions

During the interview, you will know if you can bring up the subject of job shadowing. You could suggest that you'd love to be able to follow them on the job, to be able to gauge if it's a right fit for you. It all depends on how they feel about you, how sensitive the work is, and how much time they have to do this.

Approaching Public Venues

Medical Clinics You can call around and ask their policy on Informational Interviews. If you are enthusiastic and eager, they may spend some time with you. It depends on the policy of the clinic, the personality style of the person you talk to, if they like their job, and how rushed they are.

So if you get a friendly, talkative, people-oriented employee, who loves her job, and she is not rushed off her feet each day, then the door may be open to at least a short informational interview, and if you establish a good rapport during the interview, she may offer to show you around.

Public Hospitals will have different policies about this. Calling ahead to ask what their policy is, will save time and disappointment. From the response you get, you will soon discover if Job Shadowing is a welcome practice in your area. Be prepared for them to tell you, that Job Shadows are only arranged through the schools.

Assuming you do get into an "Informational Interview" with someone, you could then say, "I'd love to see what it's like working in this job on a day to day basis. Is there any possibility of job shadowing you for a few hours?"

Again, if they have the authority to open the doors to you, then it will likely come down to the relationship that you establish with the person you are talking with.

If they like you, they will be more likely to try and accommodate you. How you approach them, how comfortable you are talking with people whom you meet, the kind of rapport you establish with them. It mainly depends on "You". You can make things happen if you set your mind and heart on it.

Wishing you the best of luck in your Job Shadowing Adventures,
Mary Joan