Making the Most of Medical WEX
By Lulu M
Why do I need work experience for medicine?
Proven Interest: It shows admissions that you are genuinely interested and have taken the initiative to explore the field.
Resilience: It reflects your dedication and ability to handle challenges, key traits for a medical career.
Reflective insight: You can better articulate your experiences in your personal statement and interviews.
Communication: You improve your ability to interact with patients and healthcare professionals.
Empathy: Direct contact with patients enhances your compassion and understanding.
Teamwork: You learn the importance of collaboration in healthcare as you see how different healthcare professionals work together.
Networking: It provides opportunities to meet other like-minded individuals and various healthcare professionals.
How do I make the most out of my medical work experience?
Keep a diary: Keeping a diary might sound old-school, but it’s a game-changer. Take a few minutes each day to note what you’ve seen, felt, and learnt. This will be invaluable for interviews and your personal statement. You will thank yourself when it comes to interviews and when you're writing your personal statement.
Talk, Talk, Talk: Don’t hesitate to strike up conversations with healthcare professionals, as everyone you meet there was once in your shoes. For example, one time I saw a doctor in scrubs at a shop. It turns out they were a junior doctor fresh out of med school at a university I was interested in, so I proceeded to ask them questions and for advice. You would be amazed at the gems of wisdom you can pick up from a spontaneous chat in your everyday life.
Virtual Work Experience: If you are struggling to get in-person work experience, there are always online ones and they are just as valuable. Websites like Observe GP or BSMS Virtual Work Experience offer a glimpse into medicine from the comfort of your own home. It is just as good as in-person work experience—all the admission tutors want to see is your reflections!
Quality over Quantity: It’s not about doing countless hours. Quality beats quantity. Reflect on what you’ve learnt and how it’s shaping your journey toward becoming a medic. While showing initiative—ask questions, offer to lend a hand, and show that you're eager to learn.
Connect with patients: Never underestimate the power of connecting with patients. These interactions, whether in a clinic or elsewhere, are where real learning happens. Take the time to listen, empathize, and understand.
How do I reflect on my work experience?
I have been saying reflect so much, so what does it mean to actually reflect? I'll be honest, Admissions tutors have likely met many students with similar experiences. What sets you apart is how you reflect and what you have learnt.
Here are some quick tips to help with reflecting:
List your experiences: Make a list of all the work experience, volunteering, and anything else you would like to talk about in your personal statement and interviews.
Analyze each opportunity: For each opportunity, think about what happened, what you learnt, and any skills you developed.
Use the STARR technique: Break down each experience using the STARR technique.
STARR Technique
Situation: Describe the situation you were involved in.
Task: Explain the task you set out to achieve.
Action: Detail the actions you took.
Result: Share the results of your actions.
Reflect: Reflect on the process—what did you learn, and how has it influenced you?
