<p>Ladies and Gents, this economy is so bad that I have not been able to find solid employment for well over 8 months now. I really need to volunteer because when you apply to grad school, they want to see what research/work you’ve done, in your job, and since the economy is horrendous and no job offers are coming my way (I was poli sci), I need to volunteer professionally.</p>
<p>Does anyone know of any websites that are reliable, credible and authentic where you can find professional volunteer work in your local community? What kind would be best? Please note that although this is to spend time helping the community of course, I need to get prestigious and professional volunteer work, since no one’s hiring, that way at the time of application to grad school, I can at least show I did something big/involved in a big organization to bolster my application.</p>
<p>Any input here is greatly appreciated, and the kind of volunteer work (suggesting what kind of volunteering/field) is essential here, because I need it to be very reputable work, if that’s at all possible in volunteering.</p>
<p>However, typically, people don’t get professional and prestigious volunteer work unless they have professional and prestigious experience and skills.</p>
<p>Hi,
I currently have excellent language skills in a foreign language (spoken only), and type 75 words per minute, however I aver that is really nothing to be a candidate for professional and prestigious volunteer experience. How can I make that mark or what does it take? Is there any such thing as prestigious volunteer experience, and if so, what? This economy is SO bad I am going crazy, and I need to substantially build myself through volunteering if I can’t get solid employment.</p>
<p>“Prestigious” volunteer experience lies in the provision of a few large programs: Medicins sans Frontieres, Americorps, Peace Corps, Teach for America. There are a few others, but those are the biggies. Each require commitments from half a year to several in length.</p>
<p>Why are you trying to rack up volunteer hours for graduate school? Most graduate programs care about research above all else. Professional programs (especially medical school) care about volunteer work. It’s a bonus for grad programs, but absolutely not necessary and not nearly as important as research experience.</p>
<p>“Prestigious” volunteer experience lies in the provision of a few large programs: Medicins sans Frontieres, Americorps, Peace Corps, Teach for America. There are a few others, but those are the biggies. Each require commitments from half a year to several in length."</p>
<p>Prestigious volunteer work also can include things like chairing major fundraisers for local organizations. Typically to get such prestigious, time-consuming volunteer work, one has to have done very well in your profession. Bank VPs, Television anchors, prominent doctors, CEOs, and similar people are likely to get those positions and to do them --happily and willingly – while also handling their demanding paying jobs.</p>
<p>By volunteering on a fundraising committee – and doing a lot of work including grunt work – one may be able to meet lots of influential people, including some who may be impressed enough to offer you employment.</p>
<p>Yes, I know graduate programs care about research above all, but how can you begin post-college research in, say, political science? Doing things on your own with regard to what; there has to be some sort of formal guidance along this path. I don’t really get it. At least for social science aspect as in medicine I’m assuming you can just shadow a doctor and help in the hospital as that can somehow counts as some sort of experience/research.</p>
<p>Those organizations you mentioned typically last around 2 years, I was wondering if there’s anything else with less of a time frame that can allow significant experience?</p>
<p>All graduate programs don’t care about research above all. Most graduate programs care mostly about your GRE scores, your grades, and whether you took the courses they require for entrance to their graduate program.</p>
<p>Ah right. My mistake. I was nearsightedly referring the science/engineering programs I’ve looked at. It might be very different for other programs.</p>
<p>A lot of groups also don’t do any advertising that you’re likely to find in mainstream papers or on the web. I volunteered with a search and rescue group for five years. Most of their recruitment is done through word of mouth, and they’re a very large group.</p>
<p>Your best bet is to ask around and find out what’s available.</p>