- Joined
- Dec 23, 2008
- Messages
- 938
- Reaction score
- 5
I just finished a post-bacc program and moved back home. I currently have a PT job and am desperately searching for a FT job to pay bills, get health insurance, blah blah blah. In the meantime, I have been trying to volunteer locally. Heres what Im running into
1) UMDNJ is right down the street (literally). Consequently, they run most of the clinics and hospitals in the area. So, I call up some local clinics about my desire to volunteer with them, at which point I am re-directed to UMDNJ volunteer services. They then tell me that they only accept volunteers that need to volunteer for course credit, not for people just wanting to help out. [insert blank stare] There goes half of the volunteer opps in the area.
2) Another big hospital is in the area. However, they arent even accepting volunteer applications until September.
3) Searching through my alumni directory of physicians in the area, 85% work for either UMDNJ or the aforementioned hospital so I cant even shadow them (and only the non-UMDNJ ones) until September.
4) Before leaving my post-bacc, I signed up with a program for volunteering in clinics. However, with roughly 200-300 people in this program, and only about 10 slots open per week, scheduling is on a first-come, first-get basis. Since the weekly emails are sent out sporadically, it has basically boiled down to those with Blackberries or iPhones get the open spots. Needless to say, after 2 months, I have yet to be able to volunteer with them. Plus, its really far (i.e. gas money) for someone without a job
5) I have been calling around and have been turned down left and right for shadowing.
6) There are two other hospitals in the area, but as far as the volunteer opportunities, it seems to be along the lines of work in the gift shop or delivering mail or working the info desk. I know beggars cant be choosers, but can I get something more hands-on?
I guess Ive been spoiled from undergrad and them providing us links into their hospitals. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can either shadow physicians in the area or gain a meaningful volunteer experience?
Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Perhaps fellow Jersians might know of some opportunities to serve in the area.
Thanks!
1) UMDNJ is right down the street (literally). Consequently, they run most of the clinics and hospitals in the area. So, I call up some local clinics about my desire to volunteer with them, at which point I am re-directed to UMDNJ volunteer services. They then tell me that they only accept volunteers that need to volunteer for course credit, not for people just wanting to help out. [insert blank stare] There goes half of the volunteer opps in the area.
2) Another big hospital is in the area. However, they arent even accepting volunteer applications until September.
3) Searching through my alumni directory of physicians in the area, 85% work for either UMDNJ or the aforementioned hospital so I cant even shadow them (and only the non-UMDNJ ones) until September.
4) Before leaving my post-bacc, I signed up with a program for volunteering in clinics. However, with roughly 200-300 people in this program, and only about 10 slots open per week, scheduling is on a first-come, first-get basis. Since the weekly emails are sent out sporadically, it has basically boiled down to those with Blackberries or iPhones get the open spots. Needless to say, after 2 months, I have yet to be able to volunteer with them. Plus, its really far (i.e. gas money) for someone without a job
5) I have been calling around and have been turned down left and right for shadowing.
6) There are two other hospitals in the area, but as far as the volunteer opportunities, it seems to be along the lines of work in the gift shop or delivering mail or working the info desk. I know beggars cant be choosers, but can I get something more hands-on?
I guess Ive been spoiled from undergrad and them providing us links into their hospitals. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can either shadow physicians in the area or gain a meaningful volunteer experience?
Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Perhaps fellow Jersians might know of some opportunities to serve in the area.
Thanks!