What volunteer work did you do?

[3aliyah]

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Hey people! 🙂

I'm looking to start some volunteering but I've been told by people surrounding the adcoms that I should try for something not quite so common as hospital experience. They basically said most people have that and it's not like you are really benefiting by stocking the ER. So...I've been thinking about those camps for sick kids, or maybe that Big Brother/Sister program. Has anyone done these? What else have you done?

thanks in advance for the input!! 😉

 

[nebula7]

I volunteered in a free clinic (family practice) for indigent patients. I chose this over hospital volunteer experience because I knew that my work would be in greater need at such a place, and I wouldn't merely be accomplishing things on my "agenda." I also volunteered at a regular family practice, to compare the 2 and help me decide what I want to do. The main thing is to get exposure, but just try to do something you enjoy. 🙂

 

[mpp]

Check with your university student activities department and with the local United Way. They usually have tons of places looking for volunteers of every kind. The most important thing is to find something that you can enjoy and that will fit into your schedules. Big Brothers/Big Sisters can be a huge time commitment but very educational. If you want health-related but not necessary hospital, check with any long-term care facilities that need activities people: playing cards, organzing local musicians to come, helping with reading and writing mail, book readings, going on walks, transportation to community events, etc. In this way you get a lot of one-on-one contact with ill people. I have a great time doing this and have become friends with many residents at my long-term care facility. There are people of all ages, i.e., it is not just elderly.

There are so many organizations looking for volunteers that there are a million things you can do and find something that you'll enjoy and learn from. Good luck...

 

[leorl]

I don't do any clinical volunteer work, and haven't except in high school. My volunteer stuff now is in tutoring...i tutor for AOL's Academic Assistance Center. Tutoring in itself is not uncommon, but doing it for AOL is cool.

Anyway yeah, a lot of people seem to be looking for stuff other than hospital work...Free Clinics seems to allow more "hand on" and practical experience. Mentoring, helping the elderly,check out a philanthropy organization or frat.

Good luck!

 

[gatepig]

Since I enjoy working with people with developmental disabilities, I have volunteered both at a residential facility for adults with developmental disabilities and a daycare center for preschool children with developmental disabilities. There is usually a lot more patient contact in these types of volunteer programs than there are at hospitals. I know because I also volunteer at a hospital and it seems all that I do is answer the phone.

 

[brickmanli]

I went to a village in China assisting the nurses there in a clinic (I speak fluent Chinese). It's not affiliated with any organizations so they let me do anything because they needed a lot of help. Had an HIV scare though, but I lived to tell about it.

 

[UCLA2000]

Volunteer:
6 months lab work on human genome project
7 months free clinic in South Central (as an EMT)
3 years teaching medical science to elementary school kids in south central on weekends
4 months EMT in Oncology center
6 months volunteer in UCLA Santa Monica Hospital
2 months volunteer in UCLA hospital

Why did I choose so many different volunteer experiences rather than just sticking with one? There are so many different facets to the medicine and I wanted to experience various aspects of the field.

 

[USeF]

Originally posted by UCLA2000:
•
Why did I choose so many different volunteer experiences rather than just sticking with one? There are so many different facets to the medicine and I wanted to experience various aspects of the field.•••

good interview answer! 🙂
Like leorl (what's up girl?) I did my clinical volunteering in high school and have taught, tutored and even TA'd once in college. This has helped my presentation and organizational skills tremendously.

did some fundraising for charities in england through R.A.G. (raise and give) where you basically do the salvation army-in front of grocery store thing.. with a twist. Since they were all college age, some would dress up as bunnies or dracula or wear ONLY a sandwich board.

we just got an office called 'Volunteer USF' which has opportunities basically lined up for the taking by students. just make sure you do something you will personally enjoy and/or gain from!

 

[irongirl]

My volunteer experiences after high school:

1 year stocking pass-throughs in OR (very lame)

Over 300 hours in NICU w/ lots of patient contact (awesome experience)

Over 1000 hours as a volunteer EMT and CPR Instructor for my campus as well as for athletic events (marathons, adventure races, etc.).

 

[MorningLight2100]

Volunteer experiences can be absolutely fabulous (no intentional reference to the show 🙂 ) if they're right for you. I know you mentioned not wanting to do rote stock work in the ER...I felt the same way, and after investigating different options I found some activities that were more "me."

Currently volunteering with NY Cares & the WTC relief effort

1.5 years (to present) volunteering in pediatric ward of cancer center

1 summer unpaid internship on cardiac & respiratory wards of children's hospital in London

2 years as volunteer for Make-A-Wish Foundation

6 months tutoring

3 years volunteering as substance abuse awareness advocate

3.5 years volunteering through eating disorders awareness initiatives

If you like children, try seeking out a volunteer position through Child Life; you'll have opportunities for extensive contact with patients.

 

[Elysium]

Something else non-convential...

I'm volunteering for Any Baby Can, which assists teen mothers with their pre-natal care, taking them to doctor's visits, etc. It's great one on one experience.

Also, volunteering for hospice care can be very rewarding (or depressing). There are AIDS and cancer hospice care that like to have college kids volunteer to assist with patients. Lots of patient interaction!

 

[I got in]

Hey
I started volunteering as a tutor. I worked at the University's Health Center. Tutored atheletes, minority students, worked in ER, worked with autistic children. Currently working at Whitman Walker counseling people, mentored freshman students, part of 9 different honor societies, etc.
I wanted to do more but my research took most of my time.

 

[3aliyah]

WOW! GOOD JOB PEOPLE!!! I got some really nice ideas and even thought of another one - how about Ronald McDonald house? I'm REALLY excited about this and I can't wait to dig in! Now that I'm taking a bit of time off school I can finally do things I love. I really like the NICU idea! Now that I'm a Mommy myself I'm totally into babies and would absolutely LOVE to do that kind of work if i can!

One more question - how much volunteer experience (or how little) should I shoot for? I want to get at least 6 months in...is average? (Obviously not average for UCLA2000 haha!)

 

[Skye04]

For those who need a break from all things medically related, why not get involved with Habitat for Humanity? It is a GREAT organization because it is very grass-roots organized -- comes from the local communities. Also, it is NOT direct charity because homeowner families have to devote a certain amount (about 500 hrs) of 'sweat equity' to the house construction, and actually take out an interest-free mortgage for the house. I have put a lot of time into Habitat over the last year and a half and I can say from my experience that it is truly a worthwhile and effective organization.

 

[mpp]

Originally posted by 3aliyah:
•One more question - how much volunteer experience (or how little) should I shoot for? I want to get at least 6 months in...is average? •••

I think most here would agree that the quantity is not that important. Rather you should find something in which you can truly show a commitment to serving others and find satisfaction in that. Exposure to people in difficult situations (including but not limited to ill health) can be nice to show schools that this will not be difficult for you as a physician. Contact with the public, supervisory roles, and organization skills are also extra things that can be brought out while volunteering and show maturity to admissions committees. Hopefully when you find the right thing, it will become part of what you do and perhaps continue on throughout your life in one way or another.