Most students who attend medical training programs typically have an externship after they finish their in-class courses. An externship is a partnership between educational institutions and employers. It is meant to serve as an experimental learning opportunity to give you a short, practical experience in their field of study. They are similar to internships, but are generally shorter and unpaid. During an externship, you will spend time in the workplace shadowing and working alongside professionals in their field. This will allow you to gain more hands-on experience, and it’s a good opportunity to see what will be expected of you when you enter the field full-time. Externships also help employers because it allows them to try out and hire new full-time employees. That being said, you are not always guaranteed full-time employment once you complete your externship. To be hired, you have to fit the culture of the organization and demonstrate proficiency in your line of work.
Here are eight ways to increase your chances of turning an externship into a full-time job offer.
Expressing interest in the company is important because employers are much more likely to hire people who genuinely want to be part of their organization. Talk about what you can do to help them. If you think about it from a hiring perspective, you would also want to know what value someone can bring to your organization. A lot of individuals direct their focus and energy toward only talking about themselves, but you will impress your employer more if you talk about how you will use your skills and abilities to bring them value.
Having a positive attitude will increase your chances of turning your externship into a job offer because employers want individuals with a positive attitude. In healthcare, especially, you will be working with other people for the majority of the day, so your attitude will be a representation of the organization, and will provide clients and patients with a better, more positive experience. That goes a long way for the reputation of the organization.
Expressing gratitude is really important because it shows employers that you take your work seriously, and that you would take on more, if given the opportunity. Some individuals may not take their externship seriously if they are not hired yet, but you have to start somewhere. Expressing gratitude will help you manifest more. It also shows employers that you are excited to be part of their organization. Organizations want to hire people who genuinely want to work for them, and this typically starts with being in alignment with their company culture and mission statement.
Having a positive attitude and being open to learning is important because you don’t know what you don’t know. Being teachable will help you stay ahead of the curve and it will help you gain the necessary skills to thrive in your new career. Even if you have experience, there is always more you can learn. Moreover, every organization is different and has different systems in place. You will have to learn those systems and the way that things are done in your organization. This will increase your chances of getting hired and succeeding in your role. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Employers love to see students engaging. It shows interest, and learning more about the business will also help you determine if you could see yourself working there long-term.
Working hard is one of the most important things that will help you get hired. Demonstrating good work ethic and that you are dependable is essentially what will help you land the job. Employers want individuals who are willing to work hard and help them build up their business. Completing your assigned projects or tasks on time will show your employer that you are a responsible and valuable team member.
Setting goals is a great way to create momentum. Striving to reach your goals can help motivate you to learn new skills even in a short period of time. At the start of your externship, set some goals for yourself and identify the skills you would like to learn. Sharing these goals with your manager is also a great way to hold yourself accountable, and your manager may be able to help you along the way as well.
Taking some time to research the company before starting is also a great way to set yourself up for success. It will put you ahead of the curve because you will have at least some understanding of how the business operates and you will have an easier time navigating problems when they come up. Moreover, doing your research on the company will also show the employer that you are actually interested in working there.
It’s important to keep in mind that sometimes an organization may not be able to hire you right away. Even if an extern is a really hard worker and fits the company culture, the organization may not have the space for them. This is why it’s important to network and stay in touch with the individuals you work with. Even if you don’t get hired right after your externship is over, a position may open up later down the road. The externs who stay in touch and network are the ones most likely to be remembered.
Throughout my time during the program, I learned so much that will influence my future. Ross does a great job setting up your externship and career services will work with you to help you find a job. You get out what you put in! Ross has changed my life and I am so happy that I made the decision to go there. They were very caring of me and my fellow classmates, making sure we were succeeding at everything we did.
Tori Bluhm Graduate Medical Insurance Billing and Office Administration student at Roosevelt Park, MI campus Graduation: July 13, 2018
I was tired of saying I was going to go back to school and never taking the initiative to follow through. Finally, I did it and signed up at Ross Medical Education Center. I always doubted myself, but my instructors and the staff never did. Going to Ross was not only the best decision for me, but also for my family. I am currently working as a Medical Assistant and love my Job. If you have dreams, go for them. Never give up on your tomorrow!
Jennifer Mccray Graduate Medical Assistant student at Kokomo, IN campus Graduation: December 29, 2017
It was my dream to return to school. Ross' Medical Assisting program stood out to me. I am thankful for the support of the amazing faculty and the smaller class size that allowed me to succeed!
Kelsi Blankenship, Graduate Medical Assistant student at Muncie, IN campus Graduation: March 27, 2019
Ross opened up a whole new world for me. I am warmly welcomed every morning with a smile and everyone here makes me feel like this is where I should be. All of the staff and instructors want to see me and the other students succeed, which creates such a positive environment. I decided to change my life for the better and Ross is helping me reach all of my goals. Ms. Julie is the best instructor I have had. She makes learning fun and easy! I cant wait to see what I continue to learn and where the road takes me now that I am on the path to my dream career!
Kelsey Russell Graduate Medical Insurance Billing and Office Administration student at Saginaw, MI campus Graduation: May 7, 2019
The program has changed me a lot. I learned to be more professional. I've learned a lot and I watched myself make progress, from getting better grades to having a better and more professional attitude, as well as understanding situations better. It also expanded my knowledge about the medical field. I recommend the program if you are looking to go into the medical field, I think it's a good start.
Anderih Toma Graduate Medical Assistant student at Madison Heights, MI campus Graduation: November 18, 2019
