Volunteer hours

[Opal1976]

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Hello, everyone. I am a new member here at SDN, and I am finding this forum to be extremely helpful.

My co-worker's son-in-law (a pharmacist) owns a small pharmacy in town. He said that any help would be great so I am thinking of doing some volunteer work. Not only this would be a nice opportunity to gain some pharmacy experience (since I have never worked in a pharmacy before), this would also make me a good candidate when I apply for pharmacy school.

So this leads me to my question. How many volunteer hours would be adequate for an applicant to look competitive, or at least be considered good enough for pharm school?

I already go to school part time and work as a full time med tech in the hospital. I have classes in the morning, and I work during the weekends (12 hour shifts, days). I also work one day during the weekday. I figured I could do some volunteer work weekdays in the afternoons after school. Of course, I would probably volunteer more during the semester break.

I guess the reason I'm concerned is because I need to somehow fit my volunteer hours in my schedule, and I am, of course, willing to do that.

Thank you. I hope to hear some advice soon. 🙂

 

[Pharm47]

I volunteer 4 hours/week in the evenings. It has definitely given me good perspective on pharmacy. Whether or not it is "enough," I'll find out in the next couple of months (if I'm accepted).

 

[GatorRxGirl]

Hello, everyone. I am a new member here at SDN, and I am finding this forum to be extremely helpful.

My co-worker's son-in-law (a pharmacist) owns a small pharmacy in town. He said that any help would be great so I am thinking of doing some volunteer work. Not only this would be a nice opportunity to gain some pharmacy experience (since I have never worked in a pharmacy before), this would also make me a good candidate when I apply for pharmacy school.

So this leads me to my question. How many volunteer hours would be adequate for an applicant to look competitive, or at least be considered good enough for pharm school?

I already go to school part time and work as a full time med tech in the hospital. I have classes in the morning, and I work during the weekends (12 hour shifts, days). I also work one day during the weekday. I figured I could do some volunteer work weekdays in the afternoons after school. Of course, I would probably volunteer more during the semester break.

I guess the reason I'm concerned is because I need to somehow fit my volunteer hours in my schedule, and I am, of course, willing to do that.

Thank you. I hope to hear some advice soon. 🙂

"Enough" is different for everyone. Do a few hours a week but make sure you have down time too. Take advantage of summer and winter breaks. Everyone does a different amount of volunteer work. In interviews, I talked about sorority philanthropy projects and church activities as volunteer work. I volunteered a few hours a week for about 2 months at a hospital. Just do what you can and you'll be fine. =)

 

[ADN1226]

I also volunteer 4hrs/ week - during the summer when I had more time I did 3 hrs M-Th.

 

[Opal1976]

👍 Thanks, guys. That was helpful.

GatorRxGirl: I think you gave good advice about balancing time. Thank you. I see that you are going to South University in GA. How is it? I thought about applying there as well, but my first choice would be USC-Columbia since I live in the area.

Pharm47: Good luck. I hope you get in too.

 

[eddie269]

I'd aim for 40 plus hrs. That seems to be what some schools are requiring (Pacific U).

 

[Klemmentine]

I volunteer 3-4 hours a week, although I've volunteered for three different organizations. First one lasted 6 months... total of about 120 hours. Second one lasted 2 months... total of about 6 hours. I'm still currently involved with my third organization... started in July, so I have about 50-60 hours total over the span of the experience. If you add up my pharmcas totals, I think I had around 180 total hours of volunteer experience.

I'll let you know if this gets me accepted... I'm applying for the first time for fall '08.

 

[sdn1977]

Opal...you've had some great responses here.

When I see a person volunteering, I don't look at the total number of hours. I look at the total time they've volunteered. Schools like to see consistency in what you choose to do.

Klemmentine is a good example...she volunteered for 3 places - but it was all in pharmacy.

I wouldn't do a few months in pharmacy, then drop it to do a food bank, then something else.

Even if you have to put it aside for a week or two to get thru finals, pick it up again during your breaks. But....you are already burdened significantly. So be careful - don't overwork yourself. You need to perform well in school & you already have the advantage of working in a medical field.

Make sure when you do volunteer, you are happy, helpful, willing to do anything he asks. He may end up being a good LOR. So you don't want to go in being tired, overworked, irritable & seem like it is a burden to be there.

Good luck!!!

 

[Klemmentine]

Klemmentine is a good example...she volunteered for 3 places - but it was all in pharmacy.

I wouldn't do a few months in pharmacy, then drop it to do a food bank, then something else.

I'm a guy. 😀

Yeah, I was a volunteer baseball coach for a season (6 months). I also volunteered for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, but they were really un-organized... I'd show up and the volunteer coordinator wouldn't be there, she would cancel on me, not have any work for me to do when I got there, etc. They were very un-professional and they weren't very appreciative. I did that for 2 months and got tired of the lack of communication.

Currently, I've been volunteering at the local blood bank and they've been great. I've been volunteering there since July, and I plan on staying with this organization until I get accepted to pharm school and move away. (So at least 12-13 months.) Like you said, organizations you volunteer for are also good sources for LORs. They're writing a LOR for a scholarship I'm applying for.

I've worked for a retail drugstore for 7 years and have 1 1/2 years of anicllary experience. I average 24 hours during school and 40 during breaks. I'm also the president of my university's pre-pharm club this semester.

I think the key is showing you have experience/interest in pharmacy, but also showing that you're well-rounded and have a good personality. Leadership, community service, and pharm experience are a plus.

Being a volunteer baseball coach had nothing to do with pharmacy or the health field, but it shows I have good leadership qualities and that I can be a role model for younger kids. I thought it was a good experience.. plus I had to become CPR/First Aid certified.

 

[sdn1977]

I'm a guy. 😀

Yeah, I was a volunteer baseball coach for a season (6 months). I also volunteered for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, but they were really un-organized... I'd show up and the volunteer coordinator wouldn't be there, she would cancel on me, not have any work for me to do when I got there, etc. They were very un-professional and they weren't very appreciative. I did that for 2 months and got tired of the lack of communication.

Currently, I've been volunteering at the local blood bank and they've been great. I've been volunteering there since July, and I plan on staying with this organization until I get accepted to pharm school and move away. (So at least 12-13 months.) Like you said, organizations you volunteer for are also good sources for LORs. They're writing a LOR for a scholarship I'm applying for.

I've worked for a retail drugstore for 7 years and have 1 1/2 years of anicllary experience. I average 24 hours during school and 40 during breaks. I'm also the president of my university's pre-pharm club this semester.

I think the key is showing you have experience/interest in pharmacy, but also showing that you're well-rounded and have a good personality. Leadership, community service, and pharm experience are a plus.

Being a volunteer baseball coach had nothing to do with pharmacy or the health field, but it shows I have good leadership qualities and that I can be a role model for younger kids. I thought it was a good experience.. plus I had to become CPR/First Aid certified.

Klemmentine - sorry about the confusion for the sexual identity - internet names are so confusing!!!! People get me confused with men all the time - actually its flattering!

However...I think you're approach to your volunteering is admirable. You've spent enough time in each to develop some consistency & have a relationship with your supervisors....its all good for LORS

Yes - leadership is a great area to develop - particularly schools in which leadership is a quality to be admired & encouraged (my own school comes to mind). They like to see a development of leadership - each step leading to another step....so you can become a leader within the pharmacy organization itself.

Good luck to all of you!

 

[Opal1976]

First of all, I want to apologize for not getting back to those who posted in this thread. Second, I want to thank everyone for their advice and their input. I really appreciate it.

SDN, thank you for being so helpful. I will remember what you said and be realistic in setting limitations. Sometimes, I have to remind myself that there are only 24 hours a day. 😉

Klemmentine, I think it is interesting that you are volunteering at the blood bank. I absolutely love working in our hospital's blood bank. It is very challenging and meticulous work. I also feel like I am doing more for my patients.

The lab plays an important role in the healthcare. However,as a med tech, I feel unfulfilled. I do like my work, and I find the mechanisms of the human body interesting. Unfortunately, I don't have much patient contact unless I am drawing their blood, which is often viewed negatively by them. (After all, who wants to be stuck by a needle?)

My point is that I just wanted to get more involved in patient care and treatment. To me, it's a priviledge to be a part of that patient's life. That might sound corny for some people, but that's how I feel.

Thanks again. I wish you guys luck.