Blog Post Focus
In this post, I shall discuss my thoughts on the importance of a mentor for a prospective medical student. This is something I wish I had considered more as an aspiring medical student.
Introduction: Mentors, Powerful Resources
Mentors can be incredible resources. Mentors can help you identify what you really want to do in life, they can help you find out ways to become what you want in life, and they can utilize resources that would otherwise not be available to you. They can also be very informal or casual, but their willingness to help you is a great resource all the same.
Finding a mentor can be a challenge. Furthermore, a mentor at one point in your life may not be ideal for another point in your life. Locating and forming relationships with mentors can make all processes of your journey easier.
The Search for a Mentor is Ongoing
As a prospective medical student you should be on the lookout for a mentor. Then, as a medical student you should be on the lookout for another mentor. Then, as a resident you should be on the lookout for another. However, the focus now will be on the prospective medical student.
So, how does one find a mentor?
Finding a Mentor as an Aspiring Medical Student
Mentors can be found pretty much anywhere. Yet, they are more likely to be found in places you want to be or in places that are designed to help you in your current stage of education. What this means is that if you are planning on pursing medical school and becoming a physician, a mentor likely may be in the medical system. However, if you are a prospective medical student, they may also be at your current institution. One finds a mentor by actively pursuing one’s goals and also by actively seeking such a relationship.
Finding a Mentor Through Activity
When you are gaining experience in the medical field by shadowing physicians or doing some volunteer work in the hospitals you may come across some friendly faces. You may have good conversations with current medical students or residents or attendings. The topic of applying to medical school comes up and someone expresses they would be happy to answer questions. There you go—you found a mentor.
Take them up on their offer. Email them some questions and intermittently update them on progress in any courses or applications. They will be happy to hear it and will be happy to give advice. If they don’t have answers to your questions, they may be able to guide you to someone else who can answer your questions and if you get along well you have found another mentor.
Utilizing Networks to Find Mentors
Volunteering and Mentors
During volunteer work you may have interactions with the head of your volunteering. If it is medically-related volunteering then chances are a bunch of other medical school hopefuls have done the same volunteering activities. The volunteering coordinator or other volunteers may know someone in the medical field who regularly helps prospective medical students. Ask how you can get into contact with this individual. If they regularly help prospective students they are probably aware of the sorts of questions you have and how to answer them.
Institutional Mentors
Additionally, make it clear with your institution you are pursing medicine. Ask if there is a formal mentorship program or if there is anybody who works with premedical students. This person or these persons likely work there because they want to help the premedical students like yourself.
Final Thoughts
Remember that mentors can be great resources. However, not all are made equally. If you think you found a mentor, but then they are not particularly helpful then look for another. Furthermore, you can have many mentors. Focus on those who are looking to help you and consistently advocate for you. Likewise, don’t burn bridges. If someone is not helpful, don’t talk poorly of them or insult them. Thank them for the help they have given and then just focus on the better mentors you have met or continue to seek a proper mentor.
Also, checkout the following link to AAMC’s “Ask the Experts: Finding and Working With a Mentor” https://students-residents.aamc.org/ask-experts/ask-experts-finding-and-working-mentor, which can give some more information and an additional perspective for prospective medical students interested in mentorship. It is a succinct Q&A format for students of all backgrounds.
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