With all the lore (and anxiety) that surrounds getting into and completing medical school, it can be hard to remember what it really means to be a doctor. Most likely, you've been to a doctor's office or to the hospital--and you've probably seen a few episodes of ER. But how much do you know about what a doctor does on daily basis? When making the decision to pursue an M.D., it's important to remember that you are preparing yourself for a job, not just a degree.

In many respects, doctors have it good. They are highly regarded by society, well compensated for their work, and have the opportunity to have a positive influence on the lives of many people. Most doctors enjoy seeing patients, have excellent job security, and work alongside talented and accomplished colleagues. However, like any job, there are parts of a doctor's work that are frustrating, undesirable, and even repetitive or boring. Doctors work far more hours than the average U.S. professional and cope with large amounts of stress and pressure. On top of that, the business of health care has become increasingly contentious, with a variety of industries and interest groups clamoring to support their disparate needs and interests. Managed care has made it more difficult for doctors to practice as they see fit and limit the amount of time that they can spend with patients, while reimbursement issues have become mind-boggling in their complexity. In fact, for some doctors, the upsides of the profession aren't worth the sacrifice and hassles of the modern health-care environment.

So how do you know if being a doctor is the right job for you? This question may be particularly difficult to answer for a college student, especially those who've never held a professional job. Luckily, many people have traveled this path before you. With their help and some investigative work of your own, you can make a well-informed decision. Take the time to really explore health care. What you learn will add depth your medical-school application and strengthen your resolve throughout the preparation and application process.

Stay in Touch with the Trends
Every day comes breaking news about the health-care industry, health insurance, and medical research. As a college student, it's easy to get stuck in the insulated world of your university, toiling away with your nose in a book. Pay attention to what's happening in the media. Familiarize yourself with medical journals and magazines. While medical school might be a few years away, realize that the current events in health care have a direct influence on your future career. Medical schools will expect you to understand the health-care industry and will interview you for opinions on the current situation. What do you know about today's health-care issues? Are you ready to enter the battleground?

Observation, Preceptors, and Mentors
The medical tradition has been passed from teacher to student for centuries. As a medical student and doctor, you will rely on the advice and guidance passed to you from experienced doctors and you, in turn, will pass this information along to the new generation of doctors. Even as a premed, the best way to learn about the medical field is to learn from the working professionals in it.

Tap your resources. Do you or your parents know any doctors personally? Are they doctors themselves? What about your family's pediatrician? Look through physician directories and call doctors who are practicing in your area. Make site visits. Talk to nurses, techs, and whoever else can give you insight. Hear the positives and listen to the complaints. Observe the setting. Do you like what you see? Can you imagine yourself in private practice, in a hospital, or in a clinic setting? What types of patients are you most drawn to? Who would you like to help?

Once you've contacted practicing doctors and have identified some fields that interest you, consider setting up a preceptorship. In a preceptorship setting, a doctor allows a premed to quietly tag along as they do their rounds. Ask clinic managers or nurses to recommend doctors would be most amenable to this type of situation.

Of the many people you meet, you may be able to build a strong mentoring relationship with one or two of them. Finding a good mentor can take time, persistence, and courage, but it's well worth the effort. Some schools provide lists of faculty who are willing to mentor students, especially women and minorities. Even without this type of resource, however, you can establish relationships with an older teacher or doctor through polite persistence. Go to your professors' office hours and discuss your career goals. If you don't click with any of your current professors, get a list of the office hours for the whole biology department and visit someone else. Talk to the doctors at your volunteer job. Call friends of the family. Find out who likes to talk and visit them again. Once you have begun to establish a relationship with a mentor, honor this relationship by arriving to your meetings with a question, a gift, or an article or book you'd like to discuss.

Volunteer
In addition to improving your candidacy for medical school, volunteering is an excellent way to gain insight into the daily functioning of a health-care facility and to meet talented professionals who can counsel and inspire you on your path towards medicine. Especially if you have little personal experience with modern medicine, you should look for a meaningful, patient-oriented volunteer job in a health-care facility. Do you like the setting? Do you get along with the people who work there? Can you imagine yourself working and studying in a place like a hospital or clinic? Could you work well with a team of techs, nurses, doctors, and volunteers like yourself?

Summer Programs
A number of well-recognized universities, hospitals, labs, and private research companies offer summer programs for students considering medical school. Many undergrads have limited free time to devote to extracurricular activities, so the summer can offer the opportunity to get a lot of intensive experience. If you haven't worked in a health-care setting while in college, look for opportunities in which you can work in direct patient care and with a team of health-care professionals. In addition to U.S. programs, many international clinics offer observation and practice opportunities for premedical and medical students.

Work
There's no better way to understand an industry than to work in it. Working alongside doctors, you will see what the job truly entails. There are a variety of entry-level jobs in a hospital or clinic; however, you'll have the most relevant experience if you can get a job working with patients. With a little extra time, you can get your EMT or phlebotomy license. These short certification programs give you the opportunity to work with patients as a part of a health-delivery team.

You also might consider a job in admitting, scheduling, or registration, which would give you the opportunity to work in a health-care environment, while also providing insight into insurance and reimbursement as well as the exams and services a hospital provides. No matter what you do, make the effort to get to know people and observe how they work. The more you know about your long-term career, the more success you'll see in the short term.