What to do?

[petlee1]

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I have been looking all summer for a hospital volunteer position and I got an interview tomorrow. However the hospital requires that I work for a minimum of 6 months but I have to go back to college (different state) in 2 months. Should I just say I'm gonna work for 6 months but really just show up until I go to college? At this point I don't think I could find another one or even if I do I'll just waste another month(orientation, interview).

 

[Seven of Nine]

i feel like if you have to ask, then you already know the answer (that you shouldn't).

 

[aza]

No.
1. It's dishonest
2. If they know you're a college student somewhere else, when you leave in fall it will be obvious that you were planning on doing so the entire time. You've just burned bridges and killed the possibility of a positive reference.

If I were you, I would come clean at the interview. Tell her that you're a college student and that you can't make the 6-month commitment but that you're serious about the position and would like nothing more than to volunteer there over the summer. I can't imagine that they expect anyone to volunteer >20 hours a week for a 6 month period.
I would offer to compensate for the length of service by volunteering more hours per week ("I can't be here for 6 months but I can put in as many hours as those who volunteer for 6 months do")

Are unpaid volunteer positions really in such short supply? I find that difficult to believe! (anytime I've offered to work for free, people have immediately taken me up on it!)

 

[ArkansasRanger]

I have been looking all summer for a hospital volunteer position and I got an interview tomorrow. However the hospital requires that I work for a minimum of 6 months but I have to go back to college (different state) in 2 months. Should I just say I'm gonna work for 6 months but really just show up until I go to college? At this point I don't think I could find another one or even if I do I'll just waste another month(orientation, interview).

I'm a bit surprised that they try to tell volunteers how long they'll work.

Yuo could do it, but if you do fat chance of getting a good referral from them when you leave in two months. If you don't plan on telling anybody about it later than it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Frazier]

Follow the hospital's guidelines...If they don't fit -- you must acquit.

 

[jvesco22]

Screw their commitments. Just do what you have to do to get the experience you want. It's not like you need a LOR from them, you're just doing it for the experience. Once you move to a different state they'll forget about as soon as the next volunteer comes walking in.

 

[Plasma Petrol]

Follow the hospital's guidelines...If they don't fit -- you must acquit.

Huzzah!

 

[ArkansasRanger]

I agree that you don't need a LOR from them, but if that's the case just go ahead and list that you had the experience without ever stepping foot in the place. Either way if they call and check up on you, which they likely won't, you're f****d.

 

[linkorn12]

I agree that you don't need a LOR from them, but if that's the case just go ahead and list that you had the experience without ever stepping foot in the place. Either way if they call and check up on you, which they likely won't, you're f****d.

haha

 

[runawayclock]

I agree that you don't need a LOR from them, but if that's the case just go ahead and list that you had the experience without ever stepping foot in the place. Either way if they call and check up on you, which they likely won't, you're f****d.

Why? $hit comes up in life. I think any large scale place would be used to dealing with volunteers not being able to fulfill long term commitments.

 

[Hifey]

No.
1. It's dishonest
2. If they know you're a college student somewhere else, when you leave in fall it will be obvious that you were planning on doing so the entire time. You've just burned bridges and killed the possibility of a positive reference.

If I were you, I would come clean at the interview. Tell her that you're a college student and that you can't make the 6-month commitment but that you're serious about the position and would like nothing more than to volunteer there over the summer. I can't imagine that they expect anyone to volunteer >20 hours a week for a 6 month period.
I would offer to compensate for the length of service by volunteering more hours per week ("I can't be here for 6 months but I can put in as many hours as those who volunteer for 6 months do")

Are unpaid volunteer positions really in such short supply? I find that difficult to believe! (anytime I've offered to work for free, people have immediately taken me up on it!)

👍

OP, don't lie. I suggest you take the above advice about working more hours per week. If you lie and leave, they won't be open to having you as a volunteer next summer if you need it. And yes, if they interview potential volunteers they WILL remember you.

One thing I don't understand is why you don't just volunteer at a hospital near your school. that is at least 9 months of volunteer right there if you only do it for one year. Also, the hospital probably requires a 6 month commitment because (depending on the program), it might have a learning curve. If not, then its probably because they're sick of premeds who change their mind and stop showing up.