Summer 2018 Opportunity Search!

Making plans for the summer? There are countless health-related summer opportunities across the nation. Begin by considering these questions:

• Are you looking for broad exposure to a healthcare settings to explore a particular profession?
• You'll need experience observing healthcare professionals as well as working directly with patients. Which type of experience do you currently have the least experience with?
• Are you interested in working with a particular patient population? 
• Would you like exposure to a specialty area within healthcare? 
• Are you interested in research? 
• How might you tailor your experience to your particular interests? 

Below are some resources and starting points to begin your search! Keep in mind, many application deadlines occur around between late January and early March. That being said, the list below is not comprehensive. You might even find ways to initiate and create your own experience rather than participating in a pre-structured program. Feel free to think creatively!

UVA Resources

• Handshake: If you haven't already done so - make sure to update the Career Interests in your profile. Indicate "Healthcare: Clinical / Pre-Health"
• Seek Shadowing Opportunities
• Clinical Opportunities
• Research Opportunities
  
• Pre-Health Blog: Summer Opportunities 
• UVA University Internship Program

External Sources

• ExploreHealthCareers.org
• National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions Summer Opportunities
• AAMC Guidelines for Getting Experience 
• AAMC Public Health Pathways
• Idealist.org
• Indeed.com
• Summer Health Professions Education Program
• National Institutes of Health Summer Internship Programs 
• Centers for Disease Control Internships 
• Carter Center Internships
• MD-PhD Summer Undergraduate Research Programs
• Search for large healthcare systems with Summer Programs. For example: 
• Children's National Health System 
• Northwell Health: Shadowing // Summer Program
• Cleveland Clinic
• Search for summer camp counselor or health assistant opportunities. For example: 
• Camp Holiday Trails
• Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth
• Camp Kesem
• Consider the community organizations and healthcare providers in your area. Look up their job listings and volunteer services departments. For example:
• Free Clinics
• SPCA 
• Nursing or Retirement Homes 
• Remote Area Medical Clinics
• Mission of Mercy Projects 
• Hospice Care

Networking Resources 

Use these resources to identify and reach out to UVA alumni and others in your field of interest. While this may or may not necessarily lead directly to a summer opportunity, it will provide you a new contact in your area of interest who may be able to offer additional tips for your search! 

• LinkedIn
• Virginia Alumni Mentoring
• Informational Interviewing

Funding Resources

• Guidelines and resources for funding an unpaid internship