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Do you think colleges will be more lenient with volunteer work because of the pandemic?
#career #medical #career-advice #school #medicine #career-path
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6 answers
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Andrew’s Answer
Hi Daniela!
That's a great question - colleges should be more lenient with volunteering experience. I work on a Social Impact team at a tech company, specifically on volunteer opportunities for our employees. A lot of nonprofits have switched to a virtual volunteer model with COVID-19. There are two ways you can search for virtual volunteer opportunities:
- volunteer aggregators: these are websites that collect a wide array of virtual volunteer opportunities. Websites like Points of Light (https://www.pointsoflight.org/virtual-volunteering-opportunities/), VolunteerMatch (https://www.volunteermatch.org/virtual-volunteering), and Idealist (https://www.idealist.org/en/careers/how-to-virtual-volunteering) are great places to start
- contact nonprofits you are interested in directly - not all nonprofits have the capacity to update their websites for information about virtual volunteering. I would recommend emailing or calling them to inquire about virtual volunteer activities. Some nonprofits might need more long-term support too.
Good luck and I hope you find a virtual volunteer opportunity you enjoy!
- Andrew
Identify a few virtual volunteer opportunities on the aggregator websites and sign-up
Research nonprofits in your area that you are interested in and reach out to them directly
That's a great question - colleges should be more lenient with volunteering experience. I work on a Social Impact team at a tech company, specifically on volunteer opportunities for our employees. A lot of nonprofits have switched to a virtual volunteer model with COVID-19. There are two ways you can search for virtual volunteer opportunities:
- volunteer aggregators: these are websites that collect a wide array of virtual volunteer opportunities. Websites like Points of Light (https://www.pointsoflight.org/virtual-volunteering-opportunities/), VolunteerMatch (https://www.volunteermatch.org/virtual-volunteering), and Idealist (https://www.idealist.org/en/careers/how-to-virtual-volunteering) are great places to start
- contact nonprofits you are interested in directly - not all nonprofits have the capacity to update their websites for information about virtual volunteering. I would recommend emailing or calling them to inquire about virtual volunteer activities. Some nonprofits might need more long-term support too.
Good luck and I hope you find a virtual volunteer opportunity you enjoy!
- Andrew
Andrew recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Estelle’s Answer
Yes, everyone has made adjustments during the pandemic. This will be a good opportunity for you to discuss how the pandemic changed your volunteering options and how flexible you are in being able to make valuable use of your time.
Updated
Anthony’s Answer
Hello Daniela, I am happy to help answer your question.
Colleges will certainly be understanding of what is going on, but they will also value creativity and initiative. In other words, they will want to see how you managed to stay involved even with everything going on. Look for opportunities to get involved as a volunteer virtually. With a lot of classes moving online, maybe you can get involved as a virtual tutor or mentor. Use Google as a resource and do some research on opportunities that might be available to you. Try to be creative and see how you can continue to stay involved. Maybe instead of volunteering, you are able to take this time to work on your networking skills and reach out and connect with industry professionals. Colleges will be understanding of what is going on, but they will probably look at this time period negatively if you chose to do nothing to better yourself or your career, so find ways to get involved.
Colleges will certainly be understanding of what is going on, but they will also value creativity and initiative. In other words, they will want to see how you managed to stay involved even with everything going on. Look for opportunities to get involved as a volunteer virtually. With a lot of classes moving online, maybe you can get involved as a virtual tutor or mentor. Use Google as a resource and do some research on opportunities that might be available to you. Try to be creative and see how you can continue to stay involved. Maybe instead of volunteering, you are able to take this time to work on your networking skills and reach out and connect with industry professionals. Colleges will be understanding of what is going on, but they will probably look at this time period negatively if you chose to do nothing to better yourself or your career, so find ways to get involved.
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David’s Answer
Yes they will. They will want to see what you did before the pandemic, how you stay involved and what new opportunities you did during the pandemic. B3 creative especially online and document what you did and why especially as it relates to staying safe.
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Pamela’s Answer
Colleges will be more lenient, except in my experience people sometimes forget once the hardship is over (especially, long standing institutions).
At least that is what history has taught us. The best way to get your volunteer hours is to be creative. Right now there are a lot of volunteer opportunities online. Tutoring, mentoring, stem programs, and or helping small businesses get started are just a few, All the non-profit organizations have had to move their resources online so that they can still reach their communities and receive their funding. Please see link below.
https://www.dosomething.org/us/articles/9-places-to-volunteer-online-and-make-a-real-impact
Don't leave it up to the universities to excuse your lack of volunteer hours. Put yourself in the best light, by extending and demonstrating your ability to look for opportunities outside the box.
At least that is what history has taught us. The best way to get your volunteer hours is to be creative. Right now there are a lot of volunteer opportunities online. Tutoring, mentoring, stem programs, and or helping small businesses get started are just a few, All the non-profit organizations have had to move their resources online so that they can still reach their communities and receive their funding. Please see link below.
https://www.dosomething.org/us/articles/9-places-to-volunteer-online-and-make-a-real-impact
Don't leave it up to the universities to excuse your lack of volunteer hours. Put yourself in the best light, by extending and demonstrating your ability to look for opportunities outside the box.
Updated
Kelly’s Answer
Yes, they will be more lenient with required volunteering, however there are many ways to volunteer virtually. There are many organizations facilitating "encouragement cards" to send those who may be sick or isolated. The National Breast Cancer Foundation is a great organization for this as an example.
You can also organize a virtual volunteer session with friends , including hosting online learning or leading a virtual reading class for students in your area. Reach out to your local library and see if there's a way to get involved!
You can also organize a virtual volunteer session with friends , including hosting online learning or leading a virtual reading class for students in your area. Reach out to your local library and see if there's a way to get involved!