Building a Pre-Professional
Resume Through Experiences
Presented by:
Brittany M. Wampler
Coordinator, Pre-Professional Health Programs
b.m.garner71@csuohio.edu
218 Main Classroom Building
www.csuohio.edu/sciences/preprof
Introduction & Expectations
• Welcome!
• Expectations for time together
– No Cell Phones
– Actively Listen & Engage
– Ask questions where appropriate!
What to Expect
• You will learn about how to appropriately plan
and fill your resume with relatable experiences,
regardless of how much time you have.
• You will learn about the best ways to approach
cold calling, cold emailing, and how to be
professional in doing so.
• You will learn about viable options for research,
shadowing, and volunteer work.
Timeline of
Undergraduate Career
• 6 Semesters
• 3 Summers
• 3 Thanksgiving/Winter Breaks
• 3 Spring Breaks
• 15 Long Weekends
= Time to commit to opportunities
Advice for Utilizing Time
• Do not overdo anything.
• Depth of experiences, not breadth.
• GPA rule
• Get creative with free time.
• Prioritize
• There is no perfect applicant to professional
school. If there was, everyone would do all of
the same things!
Building Experiences
Job Shadowing
Job Shadowing Tips & Tricks
• If you have a relationship with your on doctor, start there.
• Search online for doctors in the area with specialties that
interest you. Search directories or contact hospital volunteer
offices for contact information.
• Set parameters for what you would like the experience to look
like.
• How long will your shadowing experience last?
• Treat any conversation or email like an interview. Attach a
current resume if emailing a doctor.
• Dress professionally and take any cues from the doctor.
• Always send a thank you note!
Job Shadowing Searches
• Cleveland Clinic:
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff_direct
ory/default.aspx
• University Hospital:
http://www.uhhospitals.org/find-a-doctor
• Google Searches: http://www.google.com
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities
• Shows a commitment to community
• Does not have to be clinically related, but
can be
• Important that there is depth in terms of
experience
• Keep track of hours committed to each
organization throughout career
Volunteer Opportunities
• CSU Links to Service:
http://www.csuohio.edu/studentlife/servi
ce/links.html
• Viking Expeditions + Calendar:
http://csuohio.orgsync.com/org/ve
• AMSA Volunteer List (will be in
newsletter!)
Leadership + Involvement
Leadership + Involvement
• Choose organizations wisely.
• Internal vs. External organizations
• General rule of thumb for organizations
– One professional organization
– One fun organization
• OrgSync:
https://sso.csuohio.edu/idp/Authn/UserPassw
ord
Research
Internal Research
• CHM 489, BIO 497, HSC 484
• No formalized process for seeking out research
with professors or graduate students.
• Student responsibility to set up experience,
seek credit (if you want credit for work, not
required), and fulfill requirements.
• Great experience for resume, excellent
possibilities for letters of recommendation
Advice Regarding Research
“Biology - students are expected to have the first year of Biology
complete and typically 1-2 300-level Biology courses
complete. The students must contact the faculty member and
inquire about the possibility of independent research in their
lab. Course grades and length of commitment (i.e., number of
semesters) are considered. Typically a student must be a
Biology major, although occasional exceptions are made. I have
had students who have had good experiences with the REEL
chemistry lab. Students should also check the admission
requirements for the schools to which they will apply. Not all
schools require research and in some cases the student might
be better off spending their time studying and enhancing their
GPAs.”
-Dr. Barb Modney (Biology Faculty Advisor)
External Research
• Lerner Research Institute, other universities,
within a practice, NIH Grant Research, area
hospitals
• Requires lots of searching to find an opportunity
• Cold-calling and emailing is important
• Learn as much as you can about a project
before contacting someone
Summer Research
Opportunities
• AAMC:
https://www.aamc.org/members/great/61052/great_s
ummerlinks.html
• STEM:
http://www.pathwaystoscience.org/programs.asp?desc
riptorhub=SummerResearch_Summer%20Research%2
0Opportunity
• Lerner: http://www.lerner.ccf.org/education/undergrad/
Part-Time Employment
Opportunities
Part-Time Employment
• 71% of students need to work while in
college
• Connecting future career plans to part-time
work experience to gain clinical hours
• Relevant opportunities can connect you to
field, other partnerships, letters of
recommendation
Employment Opportunities
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Medical Scribe
State Licensed Nursing Assistant
Basic or Paramedic EMT
Pharmacy Technician
Private Practice
Other ideas for clinical part-time work?
How To’s
Email
Send a Professional Email
• Create an email similar to a cover letter
– Professional Greeting
– Who you are and why you’re emailing
– Details of your experience
– What experience you’re seeking
•How long? Availability? Timeline?
– Thank them for a future response
Email Example: Introduction
Greetings Dr. ____,
My name is Brittany Wampler and I am a first year
student at Cleveland State University majoring in
Biology with a minor in Chemistry. I hope to one day
go to medical school and have started gaining
experience in a variety of areas to build my resume.
I am writing today to share my resume with you in
the hopes that I may connect with you to shadow
your practice.
Email Example: Content
I am very interested in your work as a pediatrician and
would love to talk with you further about your educational
background and experience at Ohio State University
College of Medicine. I’ve been looking into a variety of
primary care areas and pediatrics has always been an
interest of mine. The opportunity to observe your work
would be a great addition to my experience. In terms of
availability, I have a flexible schedule on Mondays,
Wednesdays, and Fridays. In addition, there are several
breaks in our academic schedule that would permit me to
observe for an extended period of time.
Email Example: Content
Throughout my first year of college, I have gained
experience through volunteering with Colleges
Against Cancer and joining the American Medical
Student Association. I’ve completed some
observation hours in the past through a high
school shadowing experience as well. I am also in
my first semester of General Chemistry and
Biology, which are certainly providing me with a
variety of challenges for the semester!
Email Content: Conclusion
Thank you in advance for your reply. I hope that through
this email you have been able to grasp my passion for
medicine as well as pediatrics. You can feel free to email
or call me at your convenience and I hope that we will be
able to connect in the future. I have also included a copy of
my resume for you. I look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Brittany Wampler
Cold Calling
Cold Calling
• Develop a short script, particularly if you’re
nervous!
– Who you are and a little bit about yourself
– Why you’re calling
– Who you would like to contact
• Ask for an email address to send a resume
– Thank them for information
– Create an alternative solution (informational
interview)
Cold Calling Practice
Interacting with Faculty
Interacting with Faculty
• Visit during office hours
• Ask about questions on exams as well as
about research they are conducting.
• Ask for advice!
• If interested in their research, set up a
time to review your resume and let them
know why you are setting up the meeting.
Creating a Culture of
Professionalism
How to be a Future
Professional
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Regardless of location/scenario
Consider Dress
Consider Questions
Consider the picture you are painting for others in every
interaction
Handshakes
Email
First-time introductions
Professional School Visits
Speakers at CSU
Thank you!
Brittany M. Wampler
Coordinator, Pre-Professional Health
Programs
b.m.garner71@csuohio.edu
218 Main Classroom Building
www.csuohio.edu/sciences/preprof