I loved ECs - it was one of the few things that kept me going as a undergrad. Since I didn't know what I wanted to be, I just did things that I enjoyed. I was an Economics major, so I was on the e-board of the economics society. I was co-president of a community service organization. I was president of a housing cooperative (think of a frat house for hippies). I was then treasurer of the the council of cooperatives (imagine having the budget of your rent times 600 students). I worked as a caregiver in people's homes. I had worked at my University's hospital. I had also worked at two differnet nursing homes as a CNA.
After I graduated, I worked for a couple years at a software vendor that created Electronic Medical Records for major hospitals.
When I decided I wanted to be a doctor, I went back to school and was involved on the e-board of the pre med society, and pre-SOMA. I was involved in the research associate program through my school in the Emergency Department at a hospital. I shadowed physicians, and I volunteered with a hospice. Right now I am tutoring at a community college.
If people are doing ECs that they hate, they should find some new ECs! You can participate in many activities which you can be passionate about, and at the same time develop leadership skills, learn to work as a team, etc.
Besides, if it turns out if being a physcian isn't the thing for you, then you have some other interests you can pursue. And if is the health care related ECs that people hate... if you can't handle a couple of hours a week of doing that, good luck on trying to find enjoyment in a health care career.
