Shadowing is the process of observing a healthcare professional in a clinical or healthcare setting to learn more about their daily responsibilities, patient interactions, communication styles, and work environment.
Professional programs want students to demonstrate they understand the realities of healthcare careers before applying. Organizations such as the Association of American Medical Colleges emphasize that shadowing helps students better understand healthcare professions and provides valuable material for interviews and applications.
The Association of American Medical Colleges specifically notes that shadowing helps students understand “what a doctor’s typical day is like” and gives students experiences they can discuss in applications and interviews.
Shadowing helps students:
Healthcare professional programs increasingly seek applicants who demonstrate:
Requirements vary by profession and program. Students should research each school individually.
Yes. Exploring multiple specialties is encouraged.
Usually no. Shadowing is generally considered observational rather than hands-on clinical experience.
Students should continue networking, reaching out professionally, and exploring alternative healthcare experiences such as volunteering or scribing.
Some programs accept this while others prefer non-family experiences. Students should diversify experiences when possible.
https://www.anesthesiaconsultantsofaugusta.com/studentopportunities
https://www.cchsaugusta.org/students/#preceptorship
Possibly - https://www.connecting-shadows.com/
Requirements vary by program. Most schools value consistent and meaningful involvement over a specific number.
No. Non-clinical service is highly valued and demonstrates commitment to helping others.
No. Volunteer experiences are unpaid service activities.
Students may benefit from a combination of long-term commitment and diverse experiences.
Even small, consistent commitments can be meaningful.
No. Many students begin with little or no prior research experience.
Yes. Students are encouraged to explore research opportunities early.
No. CURS supports scholarship and creative activity across disciplines.
Absolutely. Research demonstrates curiosity, initiative, and analytical thinking.
No. Publishing is valuable but not required for most pre-health pathways.
Start With Your Existing Network
Consider reaching out to:
Utilize Augusta University Resources
Students are encouraged to connect with:
HPO can assist students in:
Contact Local Healthcare Facilities
Students may inquire about shadowing opportunities through:
Some organizations may require:
Be Persistent and Professional
The Association of American Medical Colleges recommends professional outreach and persistence when pursuing shadowing opportunities. Students often contact multiple professionals before securing opportunities. Students participating in shadowing should:
Healthcare environments are professional spaces where trust and confidentiality are essential. Students may be required to complete HIPAA or confidentiality documentation before participating.
Serve Your Community. Strengthen Your Future.
Healthcare professionals are called to serve others with compassion, empathy, professionalism, and cultural awareness. Volunteering allows students to engage with their communities, develop interpersonal skills, and better understand the populations they hope to serve in future healthcare careers. At Augusta University Health Professions Outreach, we encourage students to pursue meaningful service experiences that align with their passions, values, and professional goals.
Located in Augusta, Georgia (a regional healthcare hub with strong community partnerships) Augusta University students have unique opportunities to serve in:
Volunteering is not simply about accumulating hours — it is about developing a genuine commitment to service and learning from the communities you engage with.
Why Volunteering Matters
Professional healthcare programs value students who demonstrate:
Volunteering helps students:
Organizations such as the Association of American Medical Colleges emphasize service orientation as a core competency for future healthcare professionals.
Volunteering vs. Clinical Experience
Healthcare programs value all of these experiences differently. Students should strive for a balanced portfolio of experiences.
Review local volunteer pages to start gaining your experience:
Discover. Investigate. Innovate.
Research is one of the most impactful experiences a pre-health student can pursue during their undergraduate education.
At Augusta University, students have the opportunity to work alongside faculty mentors, contribute to real-world discoveries, explore healthcare challenges, and develop the critical thinking skills needed for success in professional school and beyond. Whatever your interests, undergraduate research can help you deepen your academic experience and strengthen your professional goals.
Why Research Matters For Pre-Health Students
Organizations such as the Association of American Medical Colleges emphasize scientific inquiry and critical thinking as essential competencies for future healthcare professionals.
Healthcare professional programs increasingly value applicants who demonstrate:
Research helps students:
Center For Undergraduate Research & Scholarship (CURS)
The Center for Undergraduate Research & Scholarship (CURS) supports undergraduate students across all disciplines in discovering and participating in research and scholarly activity.
CURS exists to help students:
CURS emphasizes that research and scholarship are open to students of all majors and backgrounds.
Please connect and schedule an appointment with their office to learn more and connect!
How to Get Started In Research
Students should begin by identifying areas they are curious about. You do NOT need to know exactly what you want to study before getting involved.
Students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with CURS. CURS specifically assists students in identifying mentors and getting involved in undergraduate scholarship.
Faculty are often looking for motivated undergraduate students to join research teams.
Students do not need to wait until junior or senior year to get involved. Starting early allows students to build long-term mentorships and gain deeper experience over time.
Gain Experience Beyond the Classroom
Work experience can be an excellent way for pre-health students to gain professional skills, healthcare exposure, and insight into patient care while earning an income during their undergraduate education.
At Augusta University, students are uniquely positioned within one of Georgia’s largest healthcare hubs, creating opportunities to explore healthcare-related employment across hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation facilities, community health organizations, and private practices throughout Augusta and the CSRA.
While most health profession programs strongly recommend or require exposure to healthcare through activities such as shadowing or clinical volunteering, work experience is generally not required for admission to most health profession programs; with the notable exception of many Physician Assistant (PA) programs.
However, healthcare-related work experience can provide substantial benefits for students pursuing careers in healthcare.
Common Direct Patient Care Positions
Many direct patient care positions require certification or specialized training. However, some roles may provide training upon hiring. Some positions, such as scribes or certain medical assistant roles, may provide on-the-job training. Possible positions include:
Certificiations & Training
Students interested in hands-on patient care are encouraged to research certification pathways early.
Common certifications may include:
Many direct patient care roles require:
Indirect Heathcare Experience
Not all healthcare work involves direct patient care. These experiences can still provide valuable insight into healthcare systems and professional environments. Indirect healthcare experiences may include:
Augusta University Career Services
Students seeking healthcare work experience are strongly encouraged to utilize Augusta University Career Services. Handshake is Augusta University’s official employment platform and connects students with local, regional, and national employment opportunities.
Career Services helps students:
Students should also utilize: