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Best Jobs for Pre-Meds: Gain Experience and Boost Your Med School Application
Articles
May 31, 2025
Balancing college classes with extracurriculars can be tough, but if you’re on the pre-med track, gaining clinical experience is essential—not just for building your resume, but also for affirming your commitment to medicine. Luckily, there are part-time jobs that offer both flexible hours and meaningful exposure to healthcare settings. Here are three excellent job options for pre-med students that can make your medical school application stand out.
Medical Assistant (MA)
Medical assistants support physicians by taking patient vitals, preparing exam rooms, handling administrative tasks, and sometimes assisting with basic procedures. Your day-to-day may vary depending on the clinic or specialty, but every shift gives you hands-on patient interaction.
Working as an MA allows you to gain real-world clinical exposure. You’ll see how doctors interact with patients, learn basic medical terminology, and develop a deeper understanding of healthcare systems. It also helps strengthen your communication skills—essential for any future physician.
Qualifications for pursuing an MA job will vary by state – according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, some MA positions require a certification, which can be obtained through short programs (as little as a few months). However, some clinics are willing to train MAs on the job.
Medical Scribe
Medical scribes accompany physicians during patient visits and document the encounter in real time. You’ll learn how to navigate electronic medical records (EMRs) and observe patient history-taking, diagnosis, and treatment planning up close.
Medical scribe roles are potentially great for pre-meds because they provide insight into a physician’s thought process. You’ll develop a strong understanding of clinical decision-making and medical documentation. Plus, many scribes build close mentorship relationships with the physicians they work with—often translating into excellent letters of recommendation.
Scribe companies often hire and train students with minimal experience. Look for openings at local hospitals, clinics, or through national scribe companies. Also, don’t forget about AI: according to the agency ScribeAmerica, while AI is unlikely to replace medical scribes entirely, the most competitive scribes will need to be able to work with (and proofread the output of) AI programs.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
EMTs respond to emergency calls, provide pre-hospital care, and transport patients to medical facilities. This role is physically and emotionally demanding—but also incredibly rewarding.
EMT work shows you’re calm under pressure and committed to helping people in high-stakes situations. It demonstrates maturity, resilience, and the ability to handle real medical emergencies. These are all traits med schools look for in applicants.
The BLS reports that EMT job requirements vary by state and municipality, but all states require EMTs to be licensed. At the minimum, you’ll need to complete an accredited EMT training program (usually a few months long) and pass a certification exam from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. You may also need to hold a driver’s license and pass a criminal background check.
Tips for Balancing a Job with College Coursework
Taking on a job while pursuing a pre-med course load is a serious commitment—but it’s doable with smart planning. Here are a few tips:
- Prioritize Your Academics: Your GPA is one of the most important components of your med school application. Choose a job that offers flexibility and doesn’t interfere with exam weeks or lab hours.
- Start Slow: If you’re new to balancing work and school, begin with fewer hours—10–15 per week is often manageable. You can always increase your hours during breaks or lighter semesters.
- Use Time Wisely: Commutes, night shifts, or downtime during work can sometimes be used to review flashcards or read. Just make sure it doesn’t affect your work performance.
- Communicate with Supervisors: Be upfront about your academic schedule and long-term goals. Many healthcare employers understand that pre-med students have rigorous demands and will try to accommodate them.
- Stay Organized: Time management is your best friend. Use planners, scheduling apps, or digital calendars to track your classes, shifts, and deadlines.
Learn, Earn, and Prepare for Your Future as a Doctor
Remember: the best job is one that not only checks the pre-med box but also keeps you motivated and excited about your future in medicine.
Choosing a job that aligns with your long-term goals can give you a competitive edge in the medical school admissions process. Whether you’re taking vitals as a medical assistant, documenting patient visits as a scribe, or delivering life-saving care as an EMT, each of these roles builds a solid foundation in clinical experience, professionalism, and patient empathy.
Balancing college classes with extracurriculars can be tough, but if you’re on the pre-med track, gaining clinical experience is essential—not just for building your resume, but also for affirming your commitment to medicine. Luckily, there are part-time jobs that offer both flexible hours and meaningful exposure to healthcare settings. Here are three excellent job options for pre-med students that can make your medical school application stand out.
Medical Assistant (MA)
Medical assistants support physicians by taking patient vitals, preparing exam rooms, handling administrative tasks, and sometimes assisting with basic procedures. Your day-to-day may vary depending on the clinic or specialty, but every shift gives you hands-on patient interaction.
Working as an MA allows you to gain real-world clinical exposure. You’ll see how doctors interact with patients, learn basic medical terminology, and develop a deeper understanding of healthcare systems. It also helps strengthen your communication skills—essential for any future physician.
Qualifications for pursuing an MA job will vary by state – according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, some MA positions require a certification, which can be obtained through short programs (as little as a few months). However, some clinics are willing to train MAs on the job.
Medical Scribe
Medical scribes accompany physicians during patient visits and document the encounter in real time. You’ll learn how to navigate electronic medical records (EMRs) and observe patient history-taking, diagnosis, and treatment planning up close.
Medical scribe roles are potentially great for pre-meds because they provide insight into a physician’s thought process. You’ll develop a strong understanding of clinical decision-making and medical documentation. Plus, many scribes build close mentorship relationships with the physicians they work with—often translating into excellent letters of recommendation.
Scribe companies often hire and train students with minimal experience. Look for openings at local hospitals, clinics, or through national scribe companies. Also, don’t forget about AI: according to the agency ScribeAmerica, while AI is unlikely to replace medical scribes entirely, the most competitive scribes will need to be able to work with (and proofread the output of) AI programs.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
EMTs respond to emergency calls, provide pre-hospital care, and transport patients to medical facilities. This role is physically and emotionally demanding—but also incredibly rewarding.
EMT work shows you’re calm under pressure and committed to helping people in high-stakes situations. It demonstrates maturity, resilience, and the ability to handle real medical emergencies. These are all traits med schools look for in applicants.
The BLS reports that EMT job requirements vary by state and municipality, but all states require EMTs to be licensed. At the minimum, you’ll need to complete an accredited EMT training program (usually a few months long) and pass a certification exam from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. You may also need to hold a driver’s license and pass a criminal background check.
Tips for Balancing a Job with College Coursework
Taking on a job while pursuing a pre-med course load is a serious commitment—but it’s doable with smart planning. Here are a few tips:
- Prioritize Your Academics: Your GPA is one of the most important components of your med school application. Choose a job that offers flexibility and doesn’t interfere with exam weeks or lab hours.
- Start Slow: If you’re new to balancing work and school, begin with fewer hours—10–15 per week is often manageable. You can always increase your hours during breaks or lighter semesters.
- Use Time Wisely: Commutes, night shifts, or downtime during work can sometimes be used to review flashcards or read. Just make sure it doesn’t affect your work performance.
- Communicate with Supervisors: Be upfront about your academic schedule and long-term goals. Many healthcare employers understand that pre-med students have rigorous demands and will try to accommodate them.
- Stay Organized: Time management is your best friend. Use planners, scheduling apps, or digital calendars to track your classes, shifts, and deadlines.
Learn, Earn, and Prepare for Your Future as a Doctor
Remember: the best job is one that not only checks the pre-med box but also keeps you motivated and excited about your future in medicine.
Choosing a job that aligns with your long-term goals can give you a competitive edge in the medical school admissions process. Whether you’re taking vitals as a medical assistant, documenting patient visits as a scribe, or delivering life-saving care as an EMT, each of these roles builds a solid foundation in clinical experience, professionalism, and patient empathy.