Volunteering Ideas....?

[LINYKid]

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Just looking for some imput on some 'different' volunteering ideas that would make me stand out, aside from x # of hrs at a hospital. Although I still plan to do that I am just looking for some alternate ideas especially since my grades aren't the best.
Thanks all

 

[DragonWell]

I don't know exactly what your situation is like as far as work, how much time you want to spend, etc. but if you're looking for clinical experiences, you might considering actually working in a clinical setting as a Nursing Assistant, Phlebotomist, Lab Tech, Transport Aide - there are many jobs you can get around a nursing home or hospital that have some element of patient care. Shadowing is interesting, but I definitely learned much more from a couple years actually working as a Nursing assistant. Usually these jobs aren't too hard to come by. Just a thought...

 

[DOmojo]

Those are good clinical experiences. If you're looking for a nonclinical one, try Habitat for Humanity. The work and cause is very satisfying and it's easy to volunteer for also. It's a great program and everywhere I've interviewed, they always ask lots of questions about it. You are basically helping someone, who otherwise would not be able to, build a home. You meet a ton of people and you also get to work along side the person or family that you are helping. If you have any questions or want to find your local chapter, go to http://www.habitat.org

Hope this helps!!

 

[caduceus27]

i think a good place to volunteer that may not be clinical is the american red cross. i think they have this campaign where you can give 100 of anything. you know hours, pennies, dollars. etc.
make progress everyday!

Just looking for some imput on some 'different' volunteering ideas that would make me stand out, aside from x # of hrs at a hospital. Although I still plan to do that I am just looking for some alternate ideas especially since my grades aren't the best.
Thanks all

 

[Medicineman20]

I was in your situation, I volunteer in a children shelter home for 7 months, and I loved every day of it! In fact my PS story came from volunteering at this facility

 

[theunc31]

If you're interested in athletics, consider coaching a little league baseball (fill in your favorite kid's sport here) team. It's something different and may be more fun for you depending upon your interests. Believe it or not, I actually spent about 50% of my interview time at several schools talking about baseball and coaching. Just try to avoid doing something that 'looks good' and do something you actually like.

 

[KeyLime]

Big Brothers Big Sisters is also a great way to really make a difference. I did the volunteering in the ER thing in undergrad because I thought that I had to, but I honestly didn't get too much out of it. BBBS has been much more meaningful. You meet with your "Little" brother or sister 2-4 times a month to mentor them by going to activies or just hanging out. Many times, offices get tickets to some pretty fun events that you can go to for free. For an example, we were given Colt's football tickets to one of their playoff games.

If you aren't doing something for clinical experience, do something that you really enjoy. Don't do it just so you can write it on your application 🙂

 

[LINYKid]

thanks for the ideas they are all great. im just looking for something i can really enjoy and contibute to, plus its nice to have different activities than the standard cookie cutter hospital volunteering.

 

[chopstick1]

habitat for humanity was a great thing to do, I volunteered teaching rotc students, cycled a few hundred miles to raise money for ms, visted disabled vets, there's tons of volunteer stuff out there. taught medical classes, try looking under "community resources" in your city. they usually havea dept with a list of volunteer needs

 

[beachbunny]

Another idea is to get involved with the Medical Reserve Corps. You can be a clinical or nonclinical volunteer based on your experience. Find your local branch by checking out the website www.medicalreservecorps.gov

Through my work at an OPO (Organ Procurement Organization), I know that volunteers really make a difference in the promotion of organ and tissue donation, too. If you are interested in that, it is really an awesome way to learn about donation and promote it at the same time. I don't know where you live, but you can search for your local OPO at
http://www.transweb.org/reference/maps/opo_image_map/usopomap.htm
and find the one your area deals with. If you are interested in this, and have any more questions, please feel free to PM me. I have a lot of experience in this field and would love to share my knowledge!

Good luck volunteering and I commend you for wanting to add something different to your application. 👍

 

[Noway]

check out this site

http://www.volunteermatch.org/

 

[LINYKid]

check out this site

http://www.volunteermatch.org/

thanks

 

[HunterGatherer]

I read some posts of premed students volunteering in a project that rebuilds cars. I rebuilt a vehicle once and wish I had the chance to help out in a program like that. No idea if they train you. Fixing a car is not too complicated if you can read a diagram well and dont have puny forearms.

 

[s.a.m.o.]

check out this site

http://www.volunteermatch.org/

That is a good site. I recently came across a very good site to search for volunteer work: www.unitedway.org (it seems kind of obvious but I totally forgot about it when searching for good volunteer opportunities!) I linked it so it would go directly to the volunteer section and all you have to do is type in your zip code to find your local United Way. The reason I like this site better than volunteermatch.org is that it is very community based. Most of the jobs are working to help abused children, teen moms, tutoring/teaching english to families and children, and alot of small community clinics, etc, etc... 👍

And I really think these types of community service will stand out more. Just from looking on mdapplicants.com that so many people have EMT license or ER volunteering already begins to tire me, imagine adcoms that see TONS of applications that look the same! Not saying that those are not important, its all about variety, at least I think so 🙂