Activities and Experiences

Extracurricular Activities & Leadership

Most schools expect their applicants to have had practical exposure to the profession. This may be done by volunteering in a hospital or nursing home, by assisting in a professional office, or simply by observing a professional on a regular basis. Other out-of-school activities are also important. Health professions schools are looking for creative, imaginative, productive people. It’s good to be involved in community activities, to do special volunteer projects, to assist charity endeavors, etc. Be as active as you can be, however, it is the quality of the activities not the quantity that matter.

 

Volunteering

There are many volunteer opportunities available to those interested in the health professions. Many of our students volunteer at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center (EMMC) and St. Joseph Healthcare. For more information on volunteer opportunities at EMMC and St. Joseph Healthcare, please visit their websites to complete an application.  The Bodwell Center for Service and Volunteerism provides many additional volunteer opportunities.

Job Shadowing

Job shadowing is a component of the career exploration process. Observing the day to day of a professional can help give students a sense of what the job is really like. This experience can provide significant insight into whether or not a job/career path of interest is right for you. Here some ways to get started:

Professional Network Database

Professional Network Database is a resource for all Health Professions students.  Many health professions schools require a specific number of hours of active, meaningful participation in medical practice. The Professional Network Database provides an opportunity for such an experience.

  • Mentors are members of the medical community who have generously volunteered their time to help aspiring students learn about the professional life they wish to enter.
  • Mentors meet with students from time to time, as their schedule permits, usually at their professional office.
  • Discussing a career field with a professional mentor greatly assists students in making career choices and in preparing themselves for admission to professional schools; by learning about a profession first-hand, one is enabled to discuss it maturely and with ease, skills important in an interview.
  • Mentors normally are a very important reference in the application process.

This program has been popular and successful in providing students with invaluable experience. Check out the Professional Network Database for more information.

Research

The University of Maine has many opportunities for our students to gain valuable research experience in the medical field. The UMaine Institute of Medicine Research lists the various research facilities and professors that look for student help.

Local Hospitals

Students interested in shadowing at local hospitals can take advantage of Penobscot Community Health Care (PCHC), St. Joseph Hospital, and Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center (EMMC).

  • To job shadow at PCHC, please schedule an appointment with Health Professions Career Counselor, by calling the front desk of the Career Center at 207-581-1359.
  • To job shadow at EMMC, go to their Clinical Observation Experience page and follow the necessary steps.
  • To job shadow at St. Joseph Hospital, please contact Nancy McKaig, Education Coordinator at nmckaig@covh.org.

Local Healthcare Facilities

There are great opportunities for job shadowing at local healthcare offices in the Greater Bangor area and in your local community. For assistance with job shadow search strategies, schedule an appointment  at 207-581-1359.

Internships and Jobs

Many of our health profession students will work in the health field prior to applying to graduate school. Our students have worked in pharmacies, as phlebotomists, psychiatric technicians, nurses (those who are RN’s), nuclear cardiology aide, and EMT’s to name a few. Here are some samples of internship opportunities:

 

If you are interested in obtaining a health professions related job or internship, check with the Health Professions office or visit the Career Center.