How do I classify paid community service?

[seanm028]

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I spent about 1,300 hours as a paid behavioral health specialist for a large, urban fire department. I went into strangers' homes (ranging from government housing to mansions) to provide crisis counseling immediately after extreme events (drownings, homicides, suicides, sexual assaults, etc.).

While I think this fits the general idea of community service, it was paid. How do I classify this on AMCAS? Paid work experience? Or is there a more appropriate category?

 

[la flame]

i didn't know "paid" community service was a thing lol. though it sounds like a very noble experience, it sounds like a job to me.

 

[Banco]

That's called a job, and sounds like a great experience - just describe it well in writing.

 

[seanm028]

i didn't know "paid" community service was a thing lol. though it sounds like a very noble experience, it sounds like a job to me.

I had never considered it, either, but I could have sworn I saw an adcom post on here once that community service is more about what you're actually doing, not necessarily being a volunteer. I couldn't find the post, though, so I figured I'd ask.

 

[candbgirl]

I wouldn’t called it paid community service. Try paid non-clinical.

 

[Gaius Diocletianus]

I worked as a janitor and cleaned toilets in my community. Does this count as paid community service?

 

[LizzyM]

The categories are "volunteer, non-clinical" "volunteer, clinical" and "paid employment" (I don't remember if paid employment has sub-categories.) This is clearly "paid employment".


Now, there are people who will do things that are correctly classified as "volunteer, non-clinical" but that don't really meet the criteria for "community service" as in "showing my altrusitic tendencies and being of service to members of the community who need help". Raising money for a good cause by organizing a charity auction would be "volunteer, non-clinical" but it wouldn't really be community service of the type adcoms are looking for.

On the other hand, your paid employment, although paid, is likely to impress adcoms as it shows that you are able to engage with people who are facing one of the most tragic periods of their lives and you respond with empathy.

While it is nice to have unpaid, non-clinical volunteering, there are some people who get a pass in that regard. Active duty military would be one group and someone like you who is working in a social work capacity would be another.

 

[seanm028]

The categories are "volunteer, non-clinical" "volunteer, clinical" and "paid employment" (I don't remember if paid employment has sub-categories.) This is clearly "paid employment".


Now, there are people who will do things that are correctly classified as "volunteer, non-clinical" but that don't really meet the criteria for "community service" as in "showing my altrusitic tendencies and being of service to members of the community who need help". Raising money for a good cause by organizing a charity auction would be "volunteer, non-clinical" but it wouldn't really be community service of the type adcoms are looking for.

On the other hand, your paid employment, although paid, is likely to impress adcoms as it shows that you are able to engage with people who are facing one of the most tragic periods of their lives and you respond with empathy.

While it is nice to have unpaid, non-clinical volunteering, there are some people who get a pass in that regard. Active duty military would be one group and someone like you who is working in a social work capacity would be another.

This is exactly where I was getting confused! Thank you for clarifying.

 

[DNAJB6]

work; possibly clinical

 

[DNAJB6]

I worked as a janitor and cleaned toilets in my community. Does this count as paid community service?

Was it for needy or underprivileged individuals?