meaningful volunteer work?

[youngnflyy]

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I'm heading into the summer between my sophomore and Junior year of undergrad. I'd like to do some volunteer work, but I was thinking that honestly if I were going to do it, I'd want it to be something meaningful to me instead of the ordinary hospital volunteer work, or nursing home. A few weeks ago while walking back to my dorm room, I saw a sign advertising for people to sign up to do volunteer work with big brothers/big sisters. I would feel really good about giving back to the community especially being a minority, it just makes "sense" to me to want to maybe influence some kids who maybe didn't think college was a possibility for themselves. I was curious to know if schools frown upon volunteer work which isn't connected to medicine? Do you think it's a good idea to do something I'll be happy with, or should I try and do some volunteer work in a clinical setting which I'd probably like but wouldn't be as gratifying as being a big brother.

 

[EndSong]

Hm I think one of my most meaningful thing wasn't a volunteer job although it almost was but they decided to pay me.

I tutor the blind and learning impaired in college. It's great. Really challenging but rewarding to when a student gets the math I'm trying to teach them.

 

[popbirch]

I volunteered for planned parenthood for 3 years teaching a sex ed class to teenagers that were incarcerated at a detention center. I live in Utah so the info I gave them was usually for the first time even though a lot of them were sexually active. I always felt like it was rewarding thats why I kept doing it for 3 years. Planned parenthood was always looking for volunteers and some of the stuff seemed rewarding, like working in the clinics, or doing community outreach stuff. I had a good experience there. It also came up in a couple of my interviews where I got to the experience and how I thought it related to medicine or why I liked it. That sort of thing.

 

[Labslave]

Volunteer work like this looks great on applications, and it will look even better in your case because it's something you're genuinely interested in. From my personal experience with other fellow applicants, I strongly feel that most people who participate in community service who apply to medical school only do it to have something to talk about on their applications and to paint a humanistic picture of themselves. I also feel like adcoms are capable of distinguishing people like you, who actually care, from those with ulterior motives.

All of my interviewers have asked me questions about my volunteer experiences in mentoring and tutoring, and let me tell you, when you can talk to them from an informed perspective about the plight of minority communities in the United States, you'll get both their attention and respect. It makes for great conversation.

The fact that you have a genuine interest in working with these communities will shine through on both your applications and during your interviews. Best of luck and just remember to always pursue your genuine interests, no matter what they are. 👍

 

[Lindyhopper]

Committed volunteer work in this non medical field may importantly show passion. Still one also has to demostrate enough clinical exposure to show a realistic understanding of what your dedicating your life to.
One good thing to do is become a phlebotomist. 👍 Not too much training. You make a little money & have real responsibilties in a patient care setting.

 

[Zymogen]

I volunteer delivering meals on wheels to the elderly and disabled. I think it is important to have some sort of volunteering outside the hospital. Not only is it rewarding, but it shows that you aren't just volunteering in get into medical school by just volunteering at a hospital. 👍

 

[NiteOwl]

Do volunteer work that interests you. I plan on volunteering at an animal shelter because thats what I really want to do. Volunteer work has more meaning if it is something that is important to you.

 

[Lindyhopper]

Do volunteer work that interests you. I plan on volunteering at an animal shelter because thats what I really want to do. Volunteer work has more meaning if it is something that is important to you.

I completely agree with these sentiments, but I think it is still very important to get clinical experience. I think it is actually, usually better to get clinical experience in a paid job. Volunteering can be a great & important experience, but, hospital volunteer jobs can be pretty frustrating. A job with patient contact just has a different, more responsible, dynamic,

 

[stevemc]

There is a directory of voluntary work opportunities in South America
here www.volunteersouthamerica.net

Some programs are for volunteers with med training such as
www.f-h-n.org (Ecuador) and www.aktenamit.org (Guatemala)
There are also a number of kids-based programs that would bite the
hand off any medically trained volunteers that come their way.

Vsa it is a non-profit site dedicated to promoting free volunteer work
programs in South America.

I hope you find what you are looking for.
Steve

 

[EndSong]

I agree about the importance of clinical because a lot of interviewers want to know that you know what you're getting yourself into and have some understanding of life as a doctor. I got questions about how soemtimes docs have to deal with the insane, belligerent, violent and altered so it was good that I actually dealt with people like that in my clinical experience and was able to talk about it and how I would be able to handle it as a future doc.

 

[Pontifex Maximus]

Volunteer work anywhere is great. If you can, volunteer there, and get clinical experience elsewhere. You do need that clinical.

 

[riceman04]

I'm heading into the summer between my sophomore and Junior year of undergrad. I'd like to do some volunteer work, but I was thinking that honestly if I were going to do it, I'd want it to be something meaningful to me instead of the ordinary hospital volunteer work, or nursing home. A few weeks ago while walking back to my dorm room, I saw a sign advertising for people to sign up to do volunteer work with big brothers/big sisters. I would feel really good about giving back to the community especially being a minority, it just makes "sense" to me to want to maybe influence some kids who maybe didn't think college was a possibility for themselves. I was curious to know if schools frown upon volunteer work which isn't connected to medicine? Do you think it's a good idea to do something I'll be happy with, or should I try and do some volunteer work in a clinical setting which I'd probably like but wouldn't be as gratifying as being a big brother.

I am currently a Big Brother here in Philly. I love the fact that this program allows me to give back to an underserved community and mentor young afr. amer. kids, who need all the support they can get. Me and my Little Brother and his friends always have a good time when I meet them at school.
I suggest looking into it...you actually can make a significant difference...it is important for these kids to see people (other minorities especially) pursuing the dream of becoming a physician b/c many of them feel as if that particular dream is somewhat unattainable.

check it out if you have already obtained a sufficient amount of clinical experience.

 

[AlanAlan]

i agree big brother is pretty awesome. I also found volunteering for hospice very meaningful and a positive experience.

I am currently a Big Brother here in Philly. I love the fact that this program allows me to give back to an underserved community and mentor young afr. amer. kids, who need all the support they can get. Me and my Little Brother and his friends always have a good time when I meet them at school.
I suggest looking into it...you actually can make a significant difference...it is important for these kids to see people (other minorities especially) pursuing the dream of becoming a physician b/c many of them feel as if that particular dream is somewhat unattainable.

check it out if you have already obtained a sufficient amount of clinical experience.

 

[NiteOwl]

I completely agree with these sentiments, but I think it is still very important to get clinical experience. I think it is actually, usually better to get clinical experience in a paid job. Volunteering can be a great & important experience, but, hospital volunteer jobs can be pretty frustrating. A job with patient contact just has a different, more responsible, dynamic,

I plan on getting clinical experience by shadowing. I usually don't have too much time for volunteering, so I wanted to do something that was meaningful to me.