Quitting Part Time Health Related Job for more Volunteer Hours?

[tri99]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello SDN,

I am seeking some advice as I am about to start my career changer post-bacc. I have worked for 2+ years as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor and thoroughly enjoy my job because of the relationships I have built as well as playing a role in "preventative healthcare".

The only problem is that due to not deciding to pursue a career in medicine until the last year of my undergrad (finding this passion largely due to my job) I only have ~30 shadowing hours and ~50 non-clinical volunteer hours. I will begin clinical volunteering in May and will continue for at least 4 hours per week to finish with ~200 clinical hours as well as additional shadowing hours, but I will also have around an additional 4 hours per week to dedicate to either my job or more volunteering.

Would you recommend continuing working as a personal trainer or pursuing additional clinical/non-clinical volunteer opportunities? Would one look better than the other on an application even though to me they both seem as if they are beneficial to others?

Thanks

 

[mybluedog]

Don't completely let go of the personal trainer, that is such a cool job and you already have made a connection with medicine (relationships, preventative healthcare). I'd just relook at your schedule and prioritize your clinical volunteer opportunities. I always like to think of it as when you are at interview time, what are some things you can talk about = is the experience meaningful enough for you as an individual and as a future physician.

 

[LizzyM]

your job isn't really clinical unless your clients are "patients" with doctor's orders to have a specific diet and exercise regimen that you are overseeing. It is a good job and if you need a job to pay the bills, then keep at it. In the free time you have, spend time one way or another (shadowing and/or volunteering) seeing people who are in the role of PATIENTS. That's what makes an encounter a clinical encounter.

 

[getdown]

OP, don't listen to the people that say you need more volunteering. 200 hours will be plenty. If you need to work to pay the bills than do so, the adcoms are (or should be) reasonable people who realize not everyone comes blessed with parents that pay for everything leaving you with tons of free time. Having an actual job would actually make you a better and more mature applicant in the sense you understand about working hard and time management, responsibility and professionalism. The biggest thing to remember is to find one or two good examples during your clinical experience that explains your love for medicine. Something you can pull out when asked "why medicine".

I've never heard of anyone not getting in because of not enough "volunteering". While we're on the subject of volunteering, let's be honest. 90% of the volunteer hospital gigs out there either involve pushing people around in wheelchairs, making beds, restocking supplies or standing around doing nothing. If you want patient contact, do actual shadowing. Or if volunteering is important do it either at food banks, free clinics, etc where you'll actually be doing stuff instead of being hampered by hospital rules.