Lab Coats or Stethoscopes? Exploring Your Future in Medicine

Are you passionate about making a difference in people’s lives through medicine? Many students dream of entering the medical field, but choosing the right path can be challenging. Should you wear a lab coat and contribute to breakthrough discoveries, or carry a stethoscope to care for patients? This is a common question that many students struggle with.

Understanding the Two Paths in Medicine

Saving lives is at the heart of a medical career, but the path to achieving that ultimate goal can vary. Just like a computer science student chooses between user-focused front-end and the back-end system, medicine also offers two different career paths. Some work directly with patients—listening to their concerns, making diagnoses, and providing care directly. Others try to make an impact behind the scenes through research, lab work, and discovery, helping to develop new treatments and advance medical knowledge.

Understanding the difference between these paths goes beyond job titles. It’s about the kind of work you enjoy, the environment you feel more comfortable in, and the way you want to contribute to the medical field. Do you see yourself working in a clinical setting and interacting with patients every day? Or are you more excited about the “why” behind diseases and new scientific discoveries?

If you're feeling unsure about which direction to take, you're not alone. Around 20–50% of high school and early college students are undecided about their career path. That’s why gaining exposure to both clinical and research experiences early on is so important. It gives you the chance to explore, reflect, and discover what your true interests are before committing to a specific path.

Hands-On Experience: The Key to Clarity

Deciding between a career in patient care or medical research isn’t easy, especially when many students lack real-world exposure. Textbooks don’t always capture the realities of working in a hospital or research lab. Without hands-on experience, students may develop unrealistic expectations about their chosen field.

Engaging in real-world experiences allows students to see the true picture behind different career paths, re-evaluate their interests, and build essential skills before making this important decision. In fact, a study found that between the second and fourth years of medical school, almost 60% of students changed their minds regarding their intended field of practice. This highlights the importance of gaining practical experience early on to make informed career choices.​

The best way to find out what aligns with your strengths and interests is to put yourself in both environments—whether it’s shadowing a doctor, working in a clinic, or assisting in a research lab. These experiences can help you realize what is the best fit. Even small moments, such as helping a patient feel less pain or supporting researchers with daily tasks can shape your perspective of where you truly belong.

Behind the Lab Door: A Look Into Medical Research

What It Means to Be a Medical Researcher

Medical research is the foundation of every significant achievement in healthcare. From life-saving treatments to diagnostic improvement, research is where everything begins. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 70% of medical diagnoses, including cancer and autoimmune disorders, depend on lab results

Researchers study cells, bacteria, blood samples and other specimens to learn about diseases and find new treatments. They plan experiments, collect and analyze data, and follow strict safety rules to ensure their results are accurate. Their work is important for advancing medicine and improving patient outcomes.

Learning From the Lab: Stories from Students

The best way to understand medical research is to experience it firsthand. Polygence alums—current research assistants in university labs—offer valuable insights into what it’s really like to work in a lab. Gaining hands-on experience can help students determine if medical research aligns with their passions.

According to Shravan, a Polygence alum, working in the lab helped him see his passion for both medical practice and research. Through tasks like maintaining mouse colonies, analyzing blood samples, and conducting clinical studies, he gained a deeper understanding of the field and learned valuable lessons in bioethics, mentorship, and patience—skills that continue to guide him today.

Camdyn, another Polygence alum, also discovered her interest in research through Polygence, where she explored the link between childhood learning disabilities and atypical dementias. In college, she joined a clinical research lab studying cognition in older adults. Working with participants and managing data sparked her passion for Alzheimer’s research and improving care for seniors.

Whether it’s understanding how treatments are developed or finding what kind of work feels meaningful, hands-on research experience helps students gain clarity and confidence in their future path

How You Can Try It Out

Students interested in medical research can get real lab experience through the Polygence x Summer Discovery Research Program at UC Berkeley. This two-week program gives high school students (grades 9-12) a chance to learn modern medical techniques, attend expert-led lectures, and do real lab experiments. They also create a capstone project and research proposal to build essential research skills.

But the learning doesn’t stop there. Students take what they’ve learned and dive into independent research projects with guidance from a PhD mentor. They explore their own research interests, work on real-world scientific questions, and develop a research paper to showcase their work. This program offers valuable lab experience that most high schoolers don’t get, helping them explore the world of medical research before choosing a career path.

Camdyn reflected, “Writing a research paper on childhood learning disabilities and dementias with my Polygence mentor helped me find my interest in Alzheimer’s research. That project directly led me to the clinical research lab I work in today.”

On the Front Lines: Exploring Clinical Careers

What Does Working in Patient Care Look Like?

For students interested in hands-on patient care, clinical practice provides a dynamic and fulfilling experience. Imagine helping someone regain their health and strength—how amazing is that? Unlike research, which happens in a lab, clinical practice takes place in hospitals, clinics, and emergency rooms. Doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals diagnose illnesses, provide treatment, and support patients through recovery.

A career in healthcare involves direct patient interaction, problem-solving, and teamwork. Healthcare professionals must assess symptoms, make critical decisions, and communicate effectively with both patients and colleagues. Beyond medical knowledge, they also need empathy and emotional resilience to support patients through difficult moments.

While popular medical dramas like Grey’s Anatomy and The Good Doctor make medical careers look dramatic, real-life clinical work requires critical thinking, collaboration, and adaptability. Many students may not see the full picture until they experience it firsthand.

Shadowing in Action: A Glimpse Into Healthcare

Hands-on experiences offer the best insights into clinical practice. Polygence students exploring healthcare careers gain valuable exposure by stepping into real medical environments. Observing professionals in action allows them to understand the complexities of patient care, teamwork, and decision-making in a clinical setting.

Sinchana, a Polygence alum, began working as a Cardiothoracic Patient Care Technician (PCT) through Northeastern University’s co-op program, where she gained hands-on experience in a clinical setting. She described the experience:  “This role has given me the opportunity to shadow physicians and see firsthand how patient care decisions are made. It’s exciting to be part of a team that works together to ensure the best care for every patient.”

Her daily tasks include checking vital signs, helping with IVs, and assisting in patient recovery after heart surgery. Every shift is different, with new challenges and learning opportunities. Even though the job is sometimes difficult, Sinchana enjoys helping patients and working with a medical team. This experience has helped her understand what clinical practice is really like and reinforced her passion for pursuing a career in healthcare.

Where to Begin

Students interested in exploring clinical practice can participate in the Polygence x Envision Healthcare Program, which provides hands-on training in patient care, medical procedures, and real-world clinical environments. With expert-led training and skill rotations, students practice problem-solving and making quick decisions while learning how physicians make important choices. After the program, they work with a one-on-one PhD mentor to complete an independent research project and write a research paper about clinical practice.

This program is especially valuable for students new to healthcare, as it helps them understand what medical professionals do every day. Students assist with patient assessments, observe physicians, and practice hands-on skills like taking vitals. They also strengthen their communication skills by interacting with patients and healthcare teams.  By experiencing real clinical settings, students become more confident, adaptable, and passionate about medicine, helping them decide if a career in healthcare is right for them.

Take the Next Step in Your Medical Journey with Polygence

Summer is the perfect time to explore your future in medicine beyond the classroom. Polygence offers opportunities for students to gain real-world exposure and work on independent research projects under the guidance of PhD mentors. Whether conducting lab experiments, engaging in clinical training, or discovering research-driven solutions, students develop the skills necessary for success in the medical field.

Through personalized mentorship, Polygence empowers students to make a real impact—whether in the lab or at the bedside. It’s about more than just gaining experience; it’s about discovering how your interests can lead to meaningful contributions in the world of medicine. Whether your path leads to a lab coat or a stethoscope, the first step starts with hands-on experience.