Volunteering, Employment, and Gap Year Resources

Getting direct experience through volunteering or working in healthcare is essential for understanding your field, showing commitment, and giving back to the community. Many health professions have specific requirements for the type and number of patient care or service hours needed—be sure to research expectations for your intended path and prospective schools.

When reviewing applications, health profession programs consider not only the number of hours, but also the length of time, depth of involvement, and what you learned from your experiences. Sustained and meaningful roles—especially those where you reflect, grow, and make a real impact—tend to matter more than brief or one-time activities. Keep a journal of your activities and insights. If you pursue short-term or international opportunities, balance them with long-term local service, and ensure all clinical experiences are supervised and ethical.

The resources below will help you explore a wide range of healthcare experiences in Ann Arbor, across Michigan, and beyond. Not all organizations always need new volunteers, so contact each directly to inquire about current opportunities. For questions or strategy, reach out to your pre-health advisor or the University Career Center.

Pre-Medicine & General Pre-Health Experiences

Clinical Experience
Volunteer & Community Service
Research Opportunities
Gap Year & Post-Bacc Programs
International Opportunities

Important Note: Many international programs are not affiliated with U-M and require independent vetting for legitimacy, cost, and student safety. Always consult a pre-health advisor before enrolling in an overseas volunteer/observership experience.

Pre-Physician Assistant

Direct Patient Care Experience (PA Track)

Physician assistant programs strongly emphasize paid, hands-on direct patient care experience (DPCE/PCE). Most PA programs require between 500–2,000+ hours for admission. Qualifying jobs typically include:

  • Patient Care Technician (PCT) or Nursing Assistant (CNA)
  • Medical Assistant (MA)
  • EMT or Paramedic
  • Scribe (some programs)
  • Phlebotomist
  • Physical Therapy Aide, Occupational Therapy Aide
  • Mental Health Technician, Home Health Aide, etc.

For more about finding these opportunities, see the General Pre-Health Clinical Experience resources above.

Each program counts eligible hours and roles differently—carefully check requirements for every school you plan to apply to. With that said, the The National Alliance of Research Associates Programs has a spreadsheet with a lot of information collected about each PA program's admissions requirements, including a tab dedicated to clinical experience. This will give you an idea of the required number of hours for a program and if some levels of experience are valued more than others. Note: This is not a definitive or exhaustive resource, nor is it guaranteed to be 100% accurate. Always check with the individual programs for their admissions requirements. 

PA Profession Resources & Career Exploration

Pre-Dental

Shadowing & Observation

Tip: Most private practices are open to hosting pre-dental students as observers if you reach out with a concise, professional request.

These clinics sometimes host volunteers or allow observation of services for pre-dental students, especially those interested in public health dentistry.

Tip: Not all offices are currently accepting observers—always check first, and consider remote/virtual shadowing if local opportunities are limited.

Volunteering & Community Outreach
  • Local Ann Arbor Non-Profits and Low-Cost Dental Clinics
  • National & Community-Based Outreach Programs
    • Give Kids A Smile – Major national program, often with Michigan and Detroit-area events, providing free dental care to children. Local chapters often need volunteers.
    • Mission of Mercy – Provides large-scale dental care events; check for Michigan or Midwest events.
    • National Network of Oral Health Access – Public/dental health education and outreach opportunities.
Research in Dental/Oral Health
Summer & Enrichment Programs

Many summer programs open applications between December and February.

For national and campus program application help, meet with a U-M pre-health advisor or review admissions strategies with the Pre-Dental Association.

Pre-Genetic Counseling

Observation & Shadowing
  • Finding Shadowing Opportunities
    • Due to patient confidentiality, shadowing genetic counselors can be rare—explore both in-person and virtual alternatives.
    • NSGC “Find a Genetic Counselor” Search Tool – Identify genetic counselors in Michigan or nationally who may host students for informational interviews or (with permission) group observing.
Volunteering & Advocacy Experience
Genetic Counseling Program Info & Professional Resources

Pre-Optometry

Shadowing, Observation, & Mentorship

  • Local Optometry Offices (contact directly for shadowing):

    Tip: Email local optometrists, include your status as a pre-optometry student, and ask about observation or shadowing opportunities. Hospital-affiliated clinics (like Kellogg) may offer structured observation if you inquire in advance.

  • National Resources
    • ASCO Eye Opener Sessions – The Eye Opener Session program is a matching service for potential and future optometry students who are looking for a Doctor of Optometry to shadow, via in person or virtually, to learn more about a day-in-the-life of an optometrist (OD). Communication can also be done via chat and/or email. Students will be matched with an OD based on geographical information, common interests, and goals.
Summer Programs, Pipeline, and Clinical Experience
Professional Associations & National Resources
  • American Optometric Association (AOA) – National organization for the advancement of optometry education and careers. Offers application tips, advocacy, events, and career pathway resources.
  • Eyes On Eyecare – News, career pathways, and resources for pre-optometry and optometry students.
  • OptometryStudents.com – Peer articles, Q&As, and the latest national forums for aspiring optometrists.

Pre-Pharmacy

Shadowing, Clinical, & Pharmacy Experience
Summer Enrichment Programs & National Opportunities
Professional Associations & Career Exploration

Pre-Physical Therapy / Occupational Therapy

Clinical & Shadowing Experience
Summer Programs, Internships & Gap Year Opportunities

 

Professional Associations & Career Exploration

Pre-Podiatry

Shadowing & Informational Interviews with Local Podiatrists

Tip: Most DPMs are open to student requests, especially if you are prompt, professional, and clear about your academic status and interest in observing a typical day.

Internships, Summer/Winter Programs & National Opportunities
Professional Associations & Career Exploration

Pre-Public Health

Public Health Experience & Internships

Tip: Many public health summer programs and internships are open to all majors—experience in policy, communication, epidemiology, or social work can be valuable, too.

Summer Institutes, Pipelines, & Enrichment Programs

Tip: Many public health summer programs and internships are open to all majors—experience in policy, communication, epidemiology, or social work can be valuable, too.

Pre-Veterinary

Shadowing, Clinical, & Animal Experience
Summer Programs & Domestic Internships
Research & International/Abroad Opportunities
Professional Associations & Career Exploration