Clinics & Private Practices
Smaller offices and specialty clinics can sometimes be more open to hosting student observers than large hospital systems.
Advisors, Professors & Personal Connections
Professors, advisors, family friends, and healthcare professionals you already know can sometimes help connect you with opportunities.
Where Students Are Actually Finding Shadowing
Most students find shadowing through direct outreach, personal connections, and starting small, not through a single website. And that’s okay.
Hospitals & Health Systems
Check for formal observation programs or reach out to individual departments directly to learn about their shadowing requirements.
Jobs, Volunteering & Healthcare Exposure
Students who already work, volunteer, or spend time in healthcare settings sometimes find shadowing through the connections they build there.
How to Start Looking
Finding shadowing can feel overwhelming at first, especially if you don’t already have healthcare connections. Breaking the process into small steps can make it feel a lot more manageable.
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Make a short list of places to contact
Start by writing down a few clinics, hospitals, urgent care centers, or healthcare offices in your area that you’d be interested in contacting.
Start with places that are easier to access
Smaller clinics, family medicine offices, and local specialty practices can sometimes be more approachable than large hospital systems.
Reach out professionally
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Once you have a list, begin contacting offices by email, phone, or through their website.
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Follow up once if needed
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If you don’t hear back, it’s okay to follow up once after 5–7 days.
Keep track of your outreach
Keep a simple record of who you contacted, when you reached out, and whether they responded.
How To Reach Out
Reaching out for shadowing can feel awkward at first, especially if you’ve never done it before. This page gives you simple examples you can personalize and use as a starting point.
Step 1: Find a Clinic
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Look for local clinics, hospitals, or private practices near you
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Start with places you already know (family doctor, urgent care, etc.)
Step 2: Send a Simple Message
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Keep it short, respectful, and clear
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Mention you’re a student and what you’re looking for
Step 3: Follow Up
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If no response after 7–10 days, send a polite follow-up