Summer Volunteer Position...

[Dr. Geoff]

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Dear SDN'ers,
I plan on volunteering this summer at a hospital and I was reading about a few of the positions that they have available.
1.) One consisted of helping with reasearch, which would be great because I am sure that I would learn a lot.
2.) The other was being part of the "humor department". They described it as going around and visiting patients. I am a clown on the side so I thought that would be fun to do.
I was just wondering what would be the better choice, the research would let melearn a lot but the other would get me a lot of patient contact but I don't know if I would gain much knowledge. What do you guys think would be the better choice? What would look better on a app?

 

[racergirl]

Hmmm...

Both would be great--can you do both?

But my knee-jerk reaction is that you could do the research stuff at school. Just find a lab you like and get a position. I'd go for the humor patrol or whatever! Lots of patient contact=great experience for you AND your app.

But again, either would be great. Do whichever one you think you'd enjoy the most! I just think the Humor thing sounds really fun and rewarding...

 

[mpp]

If you have never spent a lot of time around ill people, then I suggest you take the position in which you will have the most contact with ill people. It can be more difficult than you might imagine, even if you are just trying to humor them.

Unless the research just sounds too cool to pass up, then don't do it. You might learn something but it will probably be some minutae about some physiological process or how to run some complex instrument neither of which you may ever come into contact with again -- unless you think that you might want to go into research.

I think either option would look fine on an application so choose the one you would enjoy more.

 

[Street Philosopher]

I think the clown thing is more interesting, but you haven't really said what your research might be about. The important thing is that people look at your activities and think, "Hmmm, that's interesting, maybe I'll invite him to an interview and talk about it." Standing out is very important... so I've heard.

 

[pwrpfgrl]

i agree with schoolboy - being unique is definately a plus. maybe whats most important is that you can highlight either activity to your advantage on your application. i mean, if you just do the research to work in a lab, then your enthusiasm (or lack thereof) may show in your application/interview.

on the other hand, if you are really passionate about whichever one you choose, then it will probably be easier to show the adcoms how much you loved it.

i guess the bottom line is just do what sounds most appealing to YOU - which is pretty much what everyone else said. 😀

😛