Students United

   The Health Careers Mentorship Program offers opportunities to undergraduates at the University of Texas at Austin who are interested in the health care field through their participation in a program modeled after Duke University's Health Careers Internship Program. The major goals of the program focus on service and developing interpersonal - communication skills that may prepare interested students to be a candidate for medical school, other service professions, and as a future physician or healthcare provider of the 21st Century! The program's philosophy centers on the "humanization of health care" rather than promoting pre-professionalism.

   This program offers a student the opportunity to experience the phases of the professional's routine, therefore, gaining insight into a career in medicine. The selected intern may engage in activities such as accompanying his/her mentor on rounds, going to surgery (as appropriate), observing patient visits in a clinic, sitting-in on consultations, group interaction sessions, presentations, keeping a journal of your internship experiences, and other professional activities the mentor or program directors and interns are able to arrange.

   This educational program is designed to allow students to: gain an insight into the practical aspects of the healthcare field, build rapport with health professionals, and learn about the impact of managed care upon physicians and patients. Interns apply their gained knowledge towards making career decisions and acquire leadership experience through administration of the program as future coordinators.