7 Reasons Why Internships Are Essential for Pre-PA Students

Physician assistants (PAs) are integral members of today’s healthcare teams, providing care across nearly every medical specialty, From primary care and emergency medicine to surgery and psychiatry. Their training mirrors the medical school model, emphasizing broad, generalist knowledge that prepares them to diagnose, treat, and manage patients alongside supervising physicians.

But academic excellence alone isn’t enough to succeed in PA school or as a practicing PA. Clinical experience, especially through pre-physician assistant internships, plays a crucial role in preparing students for both the application process and their future careers.

Here are eight compelling reasons why every aspiring PA should complete an internship before applying to PA school.

> Explore Go-Elective Pre–PA and PA Internships Abroad

Build Professionalism in Real-World Settings

A structured PA internship is your first introduction to the pace and professionalism of clinical work. You’ll learn:

How to communicate with patients, physicians, and staff
How to document visits, assist with procedures, or help in triage
How clinical teams function across departments

These soft skills—punctuality, teamwork, composure, and etiquette—are hard to develop in a classroom, yet they’re essential for every healthcare professional.

Apply What You’ve Learned in Class

Internships allow you to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Whether you're studying anatomy, pharmacology, or diagnostics, working alongside licensed professionals helps you:

See textbook knowledge applied to real patients
Practice skills like history taking or charting
Observe patient care in high-pressure scenarios

Internships that include 100–200+ hours of supervised exposure are particularly valuable, as many PA programs require substantial hands-on experience with direct patient care.

Master Time Management and Workplace Discipline

A major transition in any clinical career is adapting to the demands of full-time patient care. As an intern, you’ll learn how to:

Follow a shift schedule
Prioritize responsibilities
Complete documentation and tasks under time pressure

This experience prepares you to thrive in the fast-paced world of healthcare and demonstrates your reliability to future employers.

Strengthen Your Resume and Application

PA programs are becoming increasingly competitive. Internships help you stand out by:

Showing commitment to the field
Demonstrating hands-on patient exposure
Giving you rich material for personal statements, interviews, and supplemental essays

Having direct clinical experience on your resume shows that you’re not only qualified—but ready to contribute.

Increase Your Chances of Employment Post-Graduation

Many hospitals and clinics use internships as informal trials for future hires. If you perform well during your internship:

Your preceptors may recommend you for employment later
You’ll already be familiar with systems and procedures at that facility
You can build relationships that lead to mentorship or job offers

Some interns are even hired directly into full-time roles after graduation because of the trust they’ve built with the clinical team.

Improve Your Communication Skills

Physician assistants must collaborate across multiple teams and explain complex medical information to patients of all backgrounds. Internships help you:

Practice delivering patient updates
Navigate difficult conversations
Shadow and model effective communication from experienced clinicians

The only way to develop these interpersonal skills is through real interaction—not simulation.

Gain Confidence Before You Apply to PA School

Confidence comes from experience. Completing a PA internship will help you:

Understand the PA role in-depth
Prepare for interviews with stronger, clearer answers
Articulate why you're pursuing this profession with authenticity

Knowing how clinics operate and what your future responsibilities might look like empowers you to enter interviews, and your next phase, with poise.

Bonus:

Boost Your Earning Potential

While entry-level PA salaries are already competitive, candidates with clinical experience often:

Negotiate higher salaries upon hire
Transition more quickly from onboarding to full scope practice
Pursue specialty tracks with confidence and preparation

Internship experience signals to employers that you're job-ready and brings more value from day one.

Take the First Step: Where to Find Pre-PA Internships

Pre-PA internships are available both locally and internationally. Some students find placements through:

University career centers and pre-health advisors
Primary care physicians or PAs in their community
Online searches (e.g., “pre-PA internships near me”)
Organizations offering pre-PA internships abroad

At Go Elective, our pre-physician assistant internships in East Africa offer immersive experiences in high-volume teaching hospitals. Interns rotate through departments like pediatrics, surgery, and internal medicine while shadowing licensed clinicians and contributing to meaningful care delivery.

Final Thoughts

Whether it’s for admissions prep, skill development, or building confidence, pre-PA internships are one of the most important investments you can make in your future. They provide clarity, sharpen your abilities, and show PA programs that you’ve taken the initiative to understand the role deeply and firsthand.

Ready to take the leap? Explore our global health internships to get started.