Volunteer Experience

[Friction]

Sooo I'm curious what type of volunteer experience looks stronger than others? Do any members of a selection board (Lesh, EMDPA, etc) have a perspective on the below?

 

Previous to being hired on as an ED Tech at Banner Health, I volunteered in the ED for about 9 months. I'm seriously interested in volunteering at Hospice of the Valley (Phoenix) this summer with a military veteran emphasis. Half of me is interested because I want to get into PA school and I think this will look good (I know...), and half of me is sincerely interested because I truly and honestly appreciate the sacrifice our veterans have made for our country and I am a military member myself.

 

Are there any opinions on the above and any suggestions on other good volunteer positions?

 

Thanks, Joel

[swimrgal02]

Can you attend your desired PA program's open house? Sometimes questions like this are addressed. Emailing the program office about volunteering might get you a canned answer, which is why I'd recommend attending an open house. Also, if your desired program has a focus (pediatrics/rural medicine/etc) that should be your focus too, and you could tailor your volunteering accordingly.

 

I was accepted last cycle to many "top 10" programs, so I can tell you what I learned from my own experience.

1) Sounds like you already found volunteering that truly interests you and that you are passionate about. Volunteering for the sake of racking up hours won't benefit you as much.

2) Volunteer somewhere other people do not. Every pre-med and pre-PA I know volunteers at a big hospital in a "cookie-cutter" volunteer program (everyone gets issued a vest and badge, and then sits around not doing much...or so it seems). If everyone else is doing it, it doesn't look very original on your application. A hospice with VA emphasis is not the usual, and will set your application apart from the rest.

3) Hospice is looked at as great experience (from what I was told). Other places you might consider: shelter clinics, AIDS outreach clinics, places that sort & pack medical supplies for shipment to developing countries, Ronald McDonald Houses, etc.

4) Since you already work in a healthcare setting, volunteering at a hospital might not be necessary. Habitat for Humanity, food banks, etc. might be good options too.

 

Sounds like you are already on the right track with volunteering and found a place that matches your interest - why not stick with it? Good luck.

[Corpsman2PA]

4) Since you already work in a healthcare setting, volunteering at a hospital might not be necessary. Habitat for Humanity, food banks, etc. might be good options too.

 

 

This is great advice. I chose to volunteer at places that I: 1) Felt needed at 2) was interested in 3) felt I could truly make a difference/impact.

Having substantial HCE, I felt no need to volunteer medically. I also started volunteering before I knew what a PA was, which looked good I suppose. Instead, I worked with Wheel-chair basketball events, Equine therapy for children with disabilities, am still a Big Brother (LOVE IT), Set up recreational dances for adults w/ disabilities, Relay for Life captian, helped with the CA academic decathlon (super awesome if you're a trivia nerd like me), etc. I felt a need to impact the community, not just help somebody in a hospital restock bed pans. I looked into the VA (as a veteran) and maybe it was just my area, but they only had non-human interaction spots open (not saying that's bad, but I like being relational with people, instead of filing records, etc).

I believe that no matter what the motivation is for volunteering (rack up hours? Strengthen app?), its a fulfilling committment that will benefit a greater purpose and will have a far reaching impact. And like was already said, the more unique your experience, the better IMO. Hope that helps.