The benefits of work experience

Editor - When applying to medical school I struggled to find work experience-the local demand was high-so when I was given a conditional offer I decided to apply again in the hope that this would boost my chances of getting a placement.

I was grateful to be offered an additional three weeks' experience and as I was now 18 I could do more. My only disappointment was when another student asked, "So why are you here?" on hearing that I had already obtained a place. My objective was simple. I wanted to make use of my long summer holiday learning about something that interested me. I appreciate that it is easy for medical students to lose sight of their original reasons for applying, with the current state of morale in the health service, but my enthusiasm was (and still is) there. I feel sad that the selection procedures mean that people think that they must do voluntary work and work experience placements so that it will look good on the application forms.

Clearly, these criteria do not work, as this particular student obviously did not want to be there. I did, but managed to get a place without the evidence to prove it.

Claire Ripley, first year medical student, University of Birmingham
Email: CNR082@bham.ac.uk


studentBMJ 2001;09:261-304 August ISSN 0966-6494