Premedical Opportunities

To enhance the rigorous academic curriculum offered by the Postbac Premed Program, students are encouraged to visit this page regularly for updates on upcoming opportunities available both on- and off-campus.

Note: The employment and volunteer opportunities on this page may not satisfy the 120 hours of work in a clinical or research setting required for committee support. Learn more about Premedical Clinical and Research Positions and contact your premedical advisor for additional information. 

Events

Columbia Narrative Medicine Group Sessions: Social Connections and Virtual Collaboration Through Narrative Medicine

Event Date: Fri., June 2, 12 p.m. EDT
Location: Online

Each session in this series will be led by trained narrative medicine facilitators and will offer group connection and reflection through a text, image, or music. Groups will read and examine the work closely and discuss what we see, with the facilitators offering guidance and background. There will be opportunities for reflective writing and sharing what is written. We hope these hour-long sessions might offer a moment of solace and space, along with an opportunity for reflection and connection with others.

Register


Columbia Narrative Medicine Group Sessions: Topic TBA

Event Date: Mon., June 12, 6 p.m. EDT
Location: Online

Register


Columbia Narrative Medicine Group Sessions: Topic TBA

Event Date: Fri., June 16, 12 p.m. EDT
Location: Online

Register


Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Virtual Information Session 

Event Date: Wed., June 21, 4 p.m. EDT
Location: Online

The Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell offers a four year, fully accredited MD program and is located in New York, approximately 30 miles outside of Manhattan.

This 60-minute webinar will include a presentation on the School's curriculum and admissions process by Rona Woldenberg, MD, Associate Dean for Admissions, Professor of Radiology. A student panel will also be present to answer any questions from prospective students.

Register


Columbia Narrative Medicine Group Sessions: Topic TBA

Event Date: Fri., June 23, 12 p.m. EDT
Location: Online

Register


Columbia Narrative Medicine Group Sessions: Topic TBA

Event Date: Mon., June 26, 6 p.m. EDT
Location: Online

Register

Programs and Positions

Part-Time, Volunteer, Patient and Staff Support, Emergency Medicine

Application Deadline
Fri., June 2

Organization
Emergency Department, Mount Sinai Morningside 

Position Description
Mount Sinai Morningside is seeking volunteers to fill roles in the Emergency Department. Volunteers provide non-clinical support to patients and staff while expanding their knowledge of an emergency department environment.

Responsibilities include:

  • Spending quality time visiting with patients and visitors to create a supportive and positive patient experience
  • Providing genuine concern and compassion and help improve the quality of care delivered to the patient
  • Providing access to information
  • Escorting patients and visitors

Position Requirements

  • Minimum age of 18
  • Spanish speaking skills a plus 

Time Commitment
Part-time (120 hours from May to August for summer-only volunteers)

Apply


Summer Research Education Fellows - The Bronx High School of Science

Start Date
June 20

Organization
Manne Institute/Bronx Science

Position Description
Reporting to the director of the brand-new Manne Institute and working closely with the faculty of the Bronx High School of Science and other key partners, summer research education fellows work in a team-based environment to lead advanced science research, help identify projects for students, and mentor students on working on their independent research projects. 

The Manne Institute is part of The Bronx Science Foundation, which is organized for charitable and educational purposes, including, but not limited to, preserving the mission and excellence of The Bronx High School of Science.

Responsibilities include:

  • Supervising and instructing high school students as they identify novel, long-term, independent research projects that utilize the cutting-edge equipment and technology of the Manne Institute, with a focus on meaningful student engagement in the research process; this includes facilitation of student discussions and offering guidance, resources, and feedback
  • Working with the cirector and faculty to implement all aspects of the summer research course, including teaching lab techniques, leading group activities, and conducting general course administration
  • Coordinating students’ summer-long research projects, resulting in a final research product (presentation, poster, research summary, etc.)
  • Adhering to all safety guidelines and ensuring compliance, participating in any trainings and certifications required, and assisting in ensuring that the labs and auxiliary spaces are well maintained
  • Supporting learners of diverse background and perspectives by promoting equity, inclusion, and belonging in a learning environment that prioritizes student growth and enrichment in alignment with the mission of the Manne Institute

Position Requirements

  • Degree in the biological sciences
  • Minimum of five years of experience in the scientific community
  • Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and present lab-based scientific research projects
  • Experience working with teens or young adults on scientific research or in an education setting
  • Must be enthusiastic and organized
  • Strong interpersonal, as well as written and verbal, communication skills
  • Ability to be flexible in handling different situations

Time Commitment
Part-time (8 a.m.–1 p.m., June 20–August 18, excluding July 3–4); full-time opportunities are also available with flexible dates if necessary

Compensation
$25–35 per hour, commensurate with experience; in the event that special projects arise, there may be opportunities to add additional work for additional hourly compensation

Apply
To apply, email your resume and cover letter to [email protected], and if applicable, note your interest in a full-time opportunity.


Systems Biology Initiative Teaching Team - High School Synthetic Biology Workshops

Join the Systems Biology Initiative teaching team to get involved in teaching various student-led workshops on biology.

The Systems Biology Initiative teaches high school students the frontiers of research and foundations of synthetic biology, which can include biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, cell biology, developmental biology, physiology, genetic engineering, and biomedical engineering.

Involvement in the teaching team can low-commitment or high-commitment with lower commitment options including writing a few PSet questions for the students or giving a 15-30 minute lecture as a guest speaker about your research or research/theory/technique(s). Higher commitment options include preparing slides and/or lesson plans and teaching for one hour or more.

A group of two to four instructors teaches each workshop session together, and teamwork and leadership are fostered. The group will design and review lessons together, to become better educators by learning from each other and studying the art of teaching together.

To join the team or for any questions, please contact us at [email protected].


Volunteer for the NY Presbyterian Hospital DOVE Program

The NY Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center Domestic and Other Violence Emergencies (DOVE) program is recruiting volunteers to assist survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence in the emergency rooms of several NewYork Presbyterian hospitals (Columbia Medical Center, Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, and Lower Manhattan Hospital). Advocates volunteer their time and energy to ensure survivors' voices are heard, safety is assured, other immediate needs are met, and appropriate linkages to essential resources are established.

DOVE advocates are first-responders and can play a vital role and make a difference in the lives of survivors, family members, and friends in the immediate aftermath of the trauma.

Position Requirements:

  • Minimum age of 21
  • Strong commitment to supporting survivors of interpersonal violence
  • Ability to reach the emergency room of their respective program within 60 minutes
  • Complete a free 40-hour training course
  • Comply with medical clearance standards
  • Be on-call for at least two shifts per month
  • Make a one-year commitment to the program

Learn More

Additional Opportunities

Submit to GYNECA, Columbia Undergraduate Journal of Gynecology and Women's Health

GYNECA is an open-access, peer-reviewed publication supported by Columbia professors. Its mission is to help fill the knowledge gap on the role that sex and gender differences play in health and disease while promoting student research in the discourse on healthcare. They are currently accepting manuscripts relevant to women and gender minorities’ health research, which includes but is not limited to reproductive health, mental health, global health, family planning, breast/ovarian cancer, prenatal health, menstrual health, and medical sociology. They are interested in publishing preliminary, introductory, or supplementary research. This would not only be a great opportunity for students to get their work published, but also ensures that data/results of larger projects would NOT be compromised. 

Visit the journal's website to learn more and submit work. 


Columbia Student Service Corps (CSSC) Medical Mentorship Program

The Columbia Student Service Corps program offers premedical graduate, undergraduate and postbac students peer mentorship from Columbia VP&S medical students, support with the medical school application process, connection to clinical research and volunteering opportunities, and engagement in professional networking and development.

Please fill out this Google form and they will do their best to pair you with a Columbia VP&S medical student who has common interests and experiences and can help you most!


Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) Grad School Resources 

The ASPPH hosts a variety of events and provides many resources to assist students considering a career in public health.


The Clinical Excellence Podcast

The Clinical Excellence Podcast  is a great way for pre-health students/applicants to begin to think about their own experiences in the clinic and how they may want to portray those in their application materials. Focusing on clinical interactions and all the concepts intertwined, each episode of this biweekly podcast features a different interview subject and topic related to clinical practitioners improving their relationships with patients. Their host, Director of Academic Programming at the Bucksbaum Institute and General Internist at UChicago Medicine, Dr. Adam Cifu discusses with his colleagues many aspects about their clinical interactions over their careers in these biweekly episodes. The first episode released on Sept 13th, and discusses some of the core competencies related to Physician Burnout.


The "Joel Schwab, MD On Being a Doctor" Lecture Series

The "Joel Schwab, MD On Being a Doctor" Lecture Series is a monthly lecture series featuring Bucksbaum Faculty Scholars from UChicago and around the US presenting on a selected aspect of effective clinical care. The goal of this series is to educate students on the importance of the interpersonal side of medicine and, particularly, the doctor-patient relationship.