If you’ve ever thought about med school, you probably picture long nights, impossible exams, and non-stop pressure. And you’re not wrong. But what’s often left out of that picture is one of the most powerful success tools: mentorship.
Whether it’s a professor, a resident, or a fellow student a year ahead of you, mentors are the quiet MVPs in medicine. They’re the ones who guide you through tough decisions, help you prep for interviews and boards, and let you know you’re not alone when the imposter syndrome hits hard.
Students like Meylakh Barshay and Kathleen McLaughlin say mentorship helped them choose specialties, get hands-on experience, and find research opportunities. And when they stepped into mentoring roles themselves, they got just as much back—confidence, clarity, and a deeper understanding of their own goals.
Mentorship isn’t always formal. Sometimes it’s a quick text convo or a shared coffee break that sparks a meaningful connection. The key? Asking good questions, being open, and realizing you don’t have to go it alone.
As Daniel Khokhar, a young doctor in training, puts it: “Everything is collaborative in medicine. If you don’t ask for advice, you stay stuck.”
Whether you’re premed, in med school, or just curious about healthcare careers, mentorship could be your game-changer. Start building your support squad early—it might just be the thing that keeps you going.
