Becoming the Next Cancer Researcher or Clinician

If you are planning on a career in STEM, medicine, or healthcare, talk to your school guidance counselor or college/career counselor to plan an appropriate course of study. In addition to the courses and credits required for your high school diploma, they may suggest that you take classes that will help you prepare for college, such as advanced math and science courses.  Many STEM majors require some foundational knowledge in statistics, advanced math, and coding/computer science, so look for these courses at your school.  While it is great to get a start in these subjects while in high school, if they are not available, don't worry. Many people don't start learning these subjects until college. However, getting started early can make the transition to college smoother and might shorten the amount of time you need to finish a degree. Advanced courses (such as Biotechnology or Engineering), Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors courses may be available at your school. Some students in their junior or senior year opt to take some college-level courses at a local community college.

Your school may have a club that fits with your interests, such as Biology, Coding, Math, STEM, 3D Printing, Maker, or Robotics clubs. If your school doesn't host a club that matches your interests, check for clubs or associations hosted by organizations in your community, such as HOSA, Girls Who Code, Black Girls Who Code, or FIRST Robotics. Consider if there are opportunities to take on leadership positions, such as being an officer (President, Treasurer, etc.) for a  club or association. Participating in these kinds of activities can help you explore your interests, make new friends, gain leadership experience, and establish mentorship relationships.

You might also look for competitions like Science Olympiad or national or state-level science or engineering fairs such as Regeneron Science Talent Search. The Society for Science & the Public network lists regional fairs that are affiliated with the International Science and Engineering Fair.

If you are looking for a school year or summer opportunity, check out the websites of local hospitals, cancer centers, universities, science museums, and biomedical research centers. On their websites, look for science education, outreach, summer programs/camps, or internship programs that are open to high school aged youth. Your science teacher may also know about volunteer opportunities and summer programs. For example, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center offers a variety of summer and afterschool programs for high school students. When you find programs that interest you, notice if they are free, have a cost, or if they will pay you money (often called a stipend) to participate in the program. The cost of a program or the stipend it provides doesn't usually impact the quality of the program, it just depends on how the program is funded. If a program has a cost associated with it, look for scholarships on the website, as there is often money available for those with financial need.

Internships can be a valuable way to gain experience, develop skills, and make professional connections, as well as a way to test out potential future careers or workplaces. Fred Hutch's Between Two Flasks YouTube series offers helpful videos for those looking for internships in the life sciences. Check out the videos Searching for Internships, Anatomy of a Successful Internship, and Maintaining Relationships After Your Internship.

Another option is to directly email a researcher at a university or research center whose work inspires you. Some faculty may be open to hosting young people in their labs for internships or summer research experiences, although some facilities may have strict rules for people under age 18. In your email, be polite, professional, and direct about what you are asking, and why the experience is a good match for you. It is a good idea to have a parent, teacher, or other adult read it first before sending the message.

If you need a paid job, look for paid internships, summer programs with stipends, or entry-level jobs at organizations or companies that inspires you and will help you build relevant skills.

In early high school, students should start developing their beyond high school plan, which may include: earning college credit while in high school; applying to colleges, universities, or technical schools; seeking an apprenticeship program; enlisting in the military; entering the workforce; or other options. This may include filling out financial aid forms and applying for scholarships to find education/training programs.

People who plan to pursue jobs as Nurses, Medical Assistants, Laboratory Technicians, Radiologic Technicians, Phlebotomists, Medical Sonographers, Respiratory Therapists, and other options may find community college or technical school programs that can help launch their careers. Many of these programs require two years of study after receiving a high school diploma or GED. Apprenticeships are also an option for some trades. To learn about the career pathway of people who launched their education by attending community college or technical schools, see the profiles for Gloria Daniels, Justin Yang, and Dr. Dorcy.

Many careers in STEM, medicine, and healthcare require an undergraduate degree, such as a Bachelor of Science (BS/BSc) or Bachelor of Art (BA). An undergraduate degree can be achieved by first obtaining an Associate Degree (AA or AS) from a community college and then transferring into a college/university to complete the degree requirements, or by completing a four year course of study with an undergraduate program at a college/university. When pursuing an undergraduate degree, students must choose (also known as "declare") a major, which is the focused area of study they will pursue. Some students may also choose a minor, which is a second area of study. The choice of major affects the type of undergraduate degree each student will pursue, but it also depends on the college or university. It is important to consider your future career plans and to evaluate what skills and training you may need when choosing your degree and major.

Keep in mind that some careers, especially those in health care and medicine, will require a certificate or license after completing a degree program from a community college or technical school or college/university. For example, a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) needs to complete an accredited nursing certificate program (at a community college or technical school), pass an exam, and obtain a state license. A Registered Nurse (RN) typically will earn an undergraduate degree, pass a state board exam, and obtain a state license. A phlebotomist needs to complete a phlebotomy program (generally a one year program at a community college or technical school), earn a phlebotomy technician certificate, and then after enough on-the-job experience, obtain state or national certification. A medical laboratory technician typically will complete an approved program (at a community college or technical school) and pass a certification exam. A pharmacy technician will typically complete a certificate program or obtain an associate degree. 

Some people will choose to attend a four-year college or university as part of their career plan. If you have a sense of what undergraduate major(s) interest you, check out the university's department webpage to read about the requirements for the major. Do the required courses sound exciting? You can reach out to the department's admissions or undergraduate advisors by email if you have specific questions, or look to see if they have an upcoming information session. A helpful resource for exploring majors and careers in the life sciences is the e-book, Guide to Life Science Careers by Dr. Karen Peterson. You can also explore college majors at CareerGirls. 

Some students who ultimately want to pursue a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree choose a pre-med major. This means that you would follow a course of study that includes all the prerequisites needed for going to medical school. This is an attractive choice if you don't want to take additional coursework after finishing your undergrad degree. However, medical schools like to bring on well-rounded students, and they do accept students with non-STEM majors. The main drawback of a non-STEM major is that it might not leave you enough time to take prerequisites for medical school while also working on your undergraduate degree, which would mean you would need to spend extra time taking classes after you finish your undergraduate degree.

There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a pre-med major, including the areas of medicine you ultimately hope to practice. Be sure to talk to an academic advisor at your university when choosing a pre-med major and setting up your course of study, as medical schools require that certain science and math courses ("pre-requisites") be completed before applying.

Some people who are interested in learning more about scientific or medical research may seek out summer research experiences while in college. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center offers a variety of internships and research experiences for undergraduate students.

A good place to find out about these opportunities are at your college's office of undergraduate research or at the National Science Foundation's Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program website. The REU program offers mentored research experiences which take place during the summer at sites across the United States. REU programs typically provide a stipend, housing, and assist with transportation costs. REU programs span a variety of STEM fields, including biological sciences, computer science, engineering, ethics, mathematics, and more. 

For students interested in pursuing a PhD or MD/PhD who are low-income, first-generation undergraduates, and underrepresented students, look into the McNair Scholars Program, the Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) programs, or the Building Infrastructure Leading to Diversity (BUILD) programs that occur at institutions across the U.S.

If you are planning to pursue a MD or PhD, look into the Summer Research Early Identification Program (SR-EIP), which provides summer mentored research experiences for undergraduates in the life, physical, social, and behavioral sciences and humanities at 20 research institutions across the U.S. Those interested in a research career may also be interested in the Leadership Alliance's Virtual Professional Development Series.

Internships can be a valuable way to gain experience, develop skills, and make professional connections, as well as a way to test out potential future careers or workplaces. Fred Hutch's Between Two Flasks YouTube series offers helpful videos for those looking for internships in the life sciences. Check out the videos Searching for Internships, Anatomy of a Successful Internship, and Maintaining Relationships After Your Internship.

Not everyone who pursues post-baccalaureate training (which means education after achieving a Bachelor degree) goes straight from college to medical school or graduate school. Other routes are also a possibility, including students who first spend many years in the workforce before returning to school. 

For some people, their undergraduate degree may not be adequate preparation for what they want to study in graduate school and so they need additional training before applying. Post-bacc programs can provide useful training and can strengthen graduate or medical school applications. In the case of medical school, post-bacc programs can be a way of completing required pre-requisites.

Options for additional training after college may include attending graduate school to achieve a Master's degree or doctorate degree. There are a variety of Master's degrees available, including a Master of Science (MS/MSc), Master of Arts (MA), Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Education (MEd), and many others. A Master's degree typically requires 2-4 years of graduate school after obtaining a Bachelor degree. Learn more about these degree in the Finding the Right Graduate Degree video from Fred Hutch's Between Two Flasks video series.

Doctorate level degrees are the highest level of education available within a field and may require a research component, clinical rotations, experience as a teaching assistant and/or research assistant, as well as the presentation of a thesis or dissertation. Examples of doctorates include a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), a Doctor of Medicine (MD), a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), among other options. Depending on the program offered by their university, people pursuing STEM fields may achieve a Master's degree prior to starting their PhD program, while others aim straight for a PhD program after receiving their Bachelor's degree. The time it takes to achieve a doctorate degree can vary widely based on many factors, but on average these degrees are completed within 4-7 years.

Some people who wish to both practice medicine clinically and to conduct research pursue both a PhD and a MD. There are some programs that award a combined MD/PhD, also known as a medical scientist training program. 

To apply to a PhD program, some graduate schools will require you to take an entrance exam known as the GRE and submit your scores. The application process also includes submitting college transcripts, essays, letters of recommendation, and an application. Other types of graduate degree require different admission exams. For example, most medical schools will require that you take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Learn more about by watching Timeline for Applying to Biomedical Research Graduate Programs and Experience Needed to Apply to a Biomedical Research PhD Program, two videos from Fred Hutch's Between Two Flasks video series.

There are multiple ways to finance graduate school, including through work, paid positions, loans, fellowships, and more. Depending on the school, program, and your advisor, you may be able to work as a Teaching Assistant (TA) or Research Assistant (RA). In these positions, you take classes while working part-time in one of these roles. Usually, these positions provide salary, tuition, and health insurance. Some graduate programs are designed for working professionals, allowing students to work during the day and take classes at night. Oftentimes, students take out loans to finance graduate school, which are available from the federal government. Grants, scholarships, and fellowships are sources of funding that can be explored. If you plan to pursue medical school, you may have to take out loans to pay for tuition. However, following graduation with your MD, you will work in paid residency and fellowship positions.

If you hope to work as a professor or run your own research lab, a PhD might be in your future. PhD students are also called doctoral students, as they are working toward their doctorate degree. PhD programs vary, usually taking between 4-7 years to complete, which can depend on the discipline as well as whether or not a student enters the program with a bachelor's degree or a master's degree. There are many milestones to achieve during that time, including: 

• Completing all required coursework

• Completing all program requirements, which may include working as a Research Assistant (RA) and/or a Teaching Assistant (TA)

• Passing general exams (which can be written and/or oral) and advancing to candidate status

• Writing a dissertation or thesis about the student's original research project(s) and findings

• Defending the dissertation or thesis, which usually includes both publicly presenting it as a talk and passing an oral exam between the student and their dissertation committee.

Read more about the life of a PhD student as described in Elizabeth Bonner's profile.

In STEM fields, doctoral students are often able to fund their education by working part-time as a research assistant (RA) or teaching assistant (TA), or by obtaining a fellowship. RA and TA positions often provide a salary, funding for tuition, and health care benefits.

Elizabeth Bonner, a graduate student working toward her PhD in molecular and cell biology, explained that after achieving their doctorate, traditionally many graduates go onto post-doctoral training, which is a period of two to four years working as a post-doc at a university. Post-docs conduct independent research projects and mentor undergraduate and graduate students. After completing their post-doc experience, some people will get hired for a faculty position in which they will become a professor, primary investigator, and/or run their own lab at a university or research institution. Some instead choose to take industry jobs, "where they work for companies to develop therapeutics or technologies," she explained. However, there are many other career pathways available to PhD graduates, including public policy and advocacy, conducting scientific outreach, teaching, writing/editing, creating scientific illustrations, working as a staff scientist, or managing a facility (such as director a microscopy core or bioinformatics group at a research institute).

If you hope to work as a physician, a MD might be in your future. If you have dreams of working as a pharmacist, then you will need a PharmD. There are also specific degrees for those who want to work as dentists (DDS or DMD), doctors of osteopathy (DO), naturopaths (ND), veterinarians (DVM) and other medical and health care clinical careers.

After receiving a 4-year Bachelor degree, medical school usually takes an additional 4 years to complete, however this is followed by several years of residencies in which clinical and research experience is obtained prior to receiving a Medical License to practice medicine. 

There are many milestones to achieve along this path to becoming a physician, including: 

• Medical School: The first two years of medical school are preclinical course work. The third year is typically focused on patient care and involves rotations at hospitals and clinics. The fourth year is focused on elective courses in a chosen specialty. During Medical School, students prepare for the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and pass Step 1 and Step 2 of the exam.

• Residency: After completing medical school, newly appointed MDs are assigned to residency programs, which is a special type of internship focused on clinical work, usually at a teaching hospital. Residency generally last 3-7 years. During this time, the medical board exam is passed. 

• Licensing: After completing medical school and residency requirements, a medical license will be granted. In some states, practicing physicians then have to achieve Continuing Medical Education credits to keep their license up to date.

• Fellowship: Physicians that want to practice in a specialty area complete fellowship training, which typically lasts 1 or more years. Those who choose a combined specialty, like hematology/oncology or pediatric/oncology will need training in both specialties.

Read more about the steps to becoming a physician and physician-researcher by reading the profiles of hematologist-oncologist Dr. Percival, medical geneticist Dr. Dubard-Gault, medical oncologist Dr. Martin, or transplant physician-researcher Dr. Otegbeye.

Pharmacists follow a similar path to obtaining a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), including four years of pharmacy school followed by 1-2 years of residency. The final step is obtaining a license by passing the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX). Some states also require the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE) which evaluates knowledge of the local state's pharmaceutical laws. Read more about post-graduate residences in pharmacy as described in Dr. Jina Yun and Dr. Hannah Bui's profiles.

The pathway to pursuing other medical and health care clinical careers will vary, including dentists, doctors of osteopathy, naturopaths, and veterinarians.