Medicine Work experience

Hi med students/ year 13s.

I need help finding work expeirence as I want to apply to do medicine

I’ve signed up to the Sutton trust pathway to medicine- imperial ect
But I keep getting rejected and the reason is that they have so many applicants

What other programmes can I do / summer schools I can sign up to

Or any work experience you recommend me doing

Thank youuuu 🙂

Reply 1

TSR Hippocrates

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Reply 2

McGinger

Original post

by ayaodet

Hi med students/ year 13s.
I need help finding work expeirence as I want to apply to do medicine
I’ve signed up to the Sutton trust pathway to medicine- imperial ect
But I keep getting rejected and the reason is that they have so many applicants
What other programmes can I do / summer schools I can sign up to
Or any work experience you recommend me doing
Thank youuuu 🙂

Mooc - short FREE online course - Applying for Medical School - Online Course - FutureLearn

Online webinars coming up in the next few weeks/months - register to be sent the link.
Click on "Virtual events (Years 7-13)" - Outreach | Leicester Medical School | University of Leicester

Summer Schools - apply asap - Free summer schools for medicine & dentistry - Medical Schools Council

If you meet their Widening Participation criteria etc -
Widening Access to Medicine Taster Course and Virtual Work Experience | University of Southampton
Pathways to Medicine - The University of Nottingham

Reply 3

ErasistratusV

Volunteer somewhere, like a care home or just do the virtual/online courses. I think Brighton do an online video based one you can follow for free.

You categorically do NOT need to have completed work experience to apply to medicine. Any kind of public facing or voluntary work will suffice.

Reply 4

Rabbit387

BSMS online work experience. I just emailed consultants I knew

Reply 5

SomehowAMedic

Original post

by ayaodet

Hi med students/ year 13s.
I need help finding work expeirence as I want to apply to do medicine
I’ve signed up to the Sutton trust pathway to medicine- imperial ect
But I keep getting rejected and the reason is that they have so many applicants
What other programmes can I do / summer schools I can sign up to
Or any work experience you recommend me doing
Thank youuuu 🙂

Hiya! Y13 here

I did some GP work experience through a programme near me, but you might struggle to do this due to safeguarding issues (which is most likely the reason why you are getting rejected).
But... I also did this online work experience called Observe GP. This is really helpful and its basically a bunch of short videos you watch and do some quizzes.
And just for a bit for advice you might not be asking for, but as you are doing now sort it out early as possible, makes life so much easier in the long run even though it might feel weird if you dont have medic friends.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Reply 6

UoL Students

Official Rep

Original post

by ayaodet

Hi med students/ year 13s.
I need help finding work expeirence as I want to apply to do medicine
I’ve signed up to the Sutton trust pathway to medicine- imperial ect
But I keep getting rejected and the reason is that they have so many applicants
What other programmes can I do / summer schools I can sign up to
Or any work experience you recommend me doing
Thank youuuu 🙂

Hi,

Final year medical student at Leicester here. I know finding clinical work experience can be really challenging. Remember you don't just have to shadow a doctor, any member of the MDT will work. For example, I shadowed a diabetic nurse for a couple of days (friend of a friend's mum!) and that helped me talk about how a doctor's role differs from other members of the MDT, as well as teaching me lots about communication, empathy, team work and lots of other essential skills for medicine. Additionally, as other commentors have said, there are lots of online work experience opportunities out there so have a google for some of those.

You will be reassured to know that most medical schools are quite understanding that getting clinical work experience is hard. The most important thing you should be doing is some kind of long term volunteering/work in a caring or customer service role. For example, I did a year in a community centre for people with learning disabilities. Doing something long term shows commitment to the career and working with people will teach you lots of invaluable skills for medicine. A classic thing to do is volunteering at a local care home as they usually need some extra support. Medical schools will want you to have a thorough understanding of what being a doctor actually involves, which can be achieved through work experience, but also can be developed by talking to med students/ doctors and reading books/articles.

I really recommended having a look at the BMA's webpage on work experience, as it has lots of helpful tips and advice.

Let me know if I can help with anything else,

Frankie (final year med student)

Reply 7

Octrich

Hi

Firstly - it doesn't have to medical - it can be anything but its how you show its relevance to medicine - for example - working with the public / different age groups / vulnerable people / being part of a team / leadership / resilience etc. You might get these skills from a part time job. Sports team / extra curricular activities can show these skills too (like DoE)

You could join something like Red Cross or St John's Ambulance and become a first aider.

If you do want to try your more closely related to health - my YP found that surgeries / trusts couldn't accept her until she was over 16/17 years, so timing might be a consideration. Try local GP surgery - but one very local to you may have Data / Confidentiality concerns. Try Allied Professions - like a Physician Associate / Physio / Radiology. My YP also approached our local hospital & they had someone who organised for them...so a question of trying to get in touch with the right person and a bit of perseverance. (contact the departments you're interested in by phone & asking who is the right person to talk to & then making contact with that individual by phone / email)

Hope that helps