Volunteer at nursing homes or homeless shelters! Although this is not directly related to the medical field, volunteering at nursing homes and homeless shelters can definitely prepare you with the qualifications of a healthcare worker. This will also be a great opportunity if you’d like to pursue a career in medicine in rural parts of your region, or in underrepresented communities!
Volunteer at your local hospital or clinic! Depending on the location, some hospitals accept volunteers as young as 16 to help out in the retail section of the hospital (eg. gift shops), and with filing paperwork . Although it can not be compared to assisting in the emergency room, you can still be involved with the hospital. You might even be able to work your way up the ladder and get assigned to a more hands on position!
Job shadow! Job shadowing is spending a day observing the environment and tasks of professional (eg. doctors!). You will be able to observe their responsibilities, day-to-day tasks, and you might even be lucky enough to perform some basic duties. Moreover, you can ask career-related questions first hand! Ask your guidance counsellor if they know any organizations you can contact, or contact your local hospital or clinic.
Participate in a program, internship, or conference! Most post-secondary institutions offer programs for high school students interested in the medical field. For example, in the United States, The National Student Leadership on Medicine & Healthcare (which is an organization that provides high schoolers with an opportunity to learn about medical controversies and advanced scientific research) has programs offered at Harvard Medical School, UCLA, UC Berkeley, University of Washington, and many more! This is just an example of the countless number of programs across the world. Participating in a program, internship, or conference allows you to gain knowledge on the medical field today, and can help prepare you for university!
Join or create a club! There are countless numbers of clubs you can join across the United States and Canada. This is a great way to be involved with other like-minded youth. Moreover, starting a club is effective as well! You can make your club or organization unique to your passions or interests.
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