Psychiatrists

You can easily explore this job by reading as much as you can about the field and the work. To learn about different types of psychotherapies, you may want to read Essential Psychotherapies: Theory and Practice, edited by Stanley B. Messer and Nadine J. Kaslow (The Guilford Press, 2019). You can also talk with your school counselor or psychology teacher about helping you arrange an information interview with a local psychiatrist. If this is not possible, try to get an information interview with any physician, such as your family doctor, to ask about the medical school experience.

An excellent way to explore this type of work is to do volunteer work in health care settings, such as hospitals, clinics, or nursing homes. While you may not be taking care of people with psychiatric problems, you will be interacting with patients and health care professionals. This experience will benefit you when it's time to apply to medical schools and will give you a feel for working with those who are ill.

As a college student, you may be able to find a summer job as a hospital orderly, nurse's aide, psychiatric aide, or ward clerk.