I emailed a local physician asking if I could shadow him. He replied saying that he’s opening to chatting with me about my visions and aspirations. He told me to call his clinic to set up a meeting time. Does that mean he is not open to job shadowing and he’s only letting me chat with him?
Did he explicitly say “no”? It’s unlikely you’d be invited to shadow just based on an email and no meeting or interview first.
Even if the answer is no, it’s a good idea to talk to people in a field you want to enter, both to learn about the job and about the path to get there.
Take the meeting. Send a thank you letter after.
@AroundHere I just called and set up a meeting time. I’m nervous. Do you know what we would even talk about?
Introduce yourself. Answer questions - often the adult will know it’s awkward and take the lead. Ask questions about his practice and what his high school and college and medical school experiences were like. Whatever you’re curious to find out about.
He probably wants to get to know you before deciding anything further. If you are shadowing him you will be seen by his patients and he needs to make sure he is comfortable doing that before he makes a decision. Dress professional. Think of some questions you would like to know about his practice. Tell him why you want to shadow him - are you doing this to check a box or do you really have an interest in his area of medicine? Think of this as an interview.
I’ll be going to his office after volunteering at the hospital so I’ll be wearing tan scrubs. Is that okay?
Also, I’m a high school senior.
Unless he specifically said no, then he probably just wants to meet you first. A lot of the doctors I’ve shadowed wanted to set up in-person meetings to discuss things such as my career goals, research I’ve done, course work, etc. Not all physicians are open to letting high school or college kids shadow them. Can you bring a set of clothes to change into? If it were me, I would wear something at least business casual. Whenever I go to meet a new physician, I wear a nice dress or casual blouse and skirt with flats or dress shoes. First impressions are important.
Actually, you have a good chance to be accepted by that doctor for shadowing. If he does not want to let you shadow him, he would not even let you go in to have that interview.
Lots of people don’t like shadowing, for lots of reasons. For medical doctors, remember that you have no ‘status’ as somebody who is privy to people’s medical circumstances (ie, a medical student or professional). They have to get permission from their patients for you to be there. At the least, the doctor will want to know something about you, including how patients are likely to see you, your maturity level and so on.
Not every doctor thinks “shadowing” by high school and or college students is a good thing. The doctor patient relationship is at the most sacrosanct and the least confidential. It’s hard enough to explain to a patient that a “student doctor” ie. med student who has been accepted to med school and who is studying medicine is shadowing never mind a high school student. I am sure he is happy to talk with you and answer questions about the training, but allowing you to go on rounds etc is a lot more complicated. The high school /college students I know who shadowed in places like the OR had an in by virtue of being family friends of the doctor.
If you could bring something to change into that would probably be best. Business casual. First impressions do mean a lot. It also shows that this means something to you that you took the effort to look good. You will be representing his practice.
I agree that if it wasn’t a possibility to have you shadow he would have said no from the start. Good luck!
Doctors are very busy and have to manage their time ruthlessly. This doctor is giving you some of his time to find out if it’s worthwhile for him to give you any more. Demonstrate your maturity and be honest in your visions and aspirations. I think this will end well.
Just to add, if doctor will not allow shadowing, another way to get to know hospital culture and mission is to find the volunteer office. Nowadays, they have planned orientations and that will start to give you a sense of what you are in for. They will work with you to find a station that piques your interest, and this may be your entre into working with families and doctors.
Should I wear a business jacket, white button down shirt, and pencil skirt to the chat with the doctor? Or white pants and a blouse? I’m not sure if it’s an interview or just an informal thing.
Treat the meeting exactly like a job interview for a professional position–which is exactly what it is.
Dress business formal. Jacket, blouse or shell top, skirt or dress pants (no chinos!), stockings/trouser socks, closed toe dress shoes. Wear basic make-up (lip color, mascara) even if you never wear make-up. Understated jewelry–stud earrings, no hoops.
You may want to bring a resume if you have one and a notepad & pen for notes.