Finding Volunteer Opportunities
Written by Alisa Malyavko
As a medical student, resident, or attending, getting to know your community is an important part of providing good quality care to your patients. One way to do this is by getting involved with volunteering in the community. When searching for volunteer opportunities there are a couple of things to consider. I’ve made a list outlining these with some examples of ways to get involved!
How much time can you allocate to volunteering?
Finding a volunteer opportunity that you’re interested in is exciting, but it’s also important to be realistic about the time you can dedicate to it. Some organizations have requirements for the amount of time you have to commit to volunteering per week or month. Additionally, some organizations may require volunteers to commit to being a part of their team long-term (for one-year or more). As a general rule of thumb, it’s better to underestimate the amount of time you can spend on volunteering than not meet the commitments you set forth.
Do you want to volunteer at a one-time event or volunteer year-round?
One-time events can include opportunities such as volunteering at a sporting event (i.e. marathon) or decorating for the holidays at a shelter. If you are EMT certified, volunteering as an EMT at any big event can be a great way to not only get to know others in your community but also meet other medical professionals.
Come year-round opportunities include volunteering at a free clinic or a food bank.
Do you want to do something related to the medical field or do something non-medical?
Volunteer opportunities related to medicine include becoming a volunteer at a nearby hospital or getting involved with a special Olympics or adaptive health organization in your area. The student organizations at your school might also send out volunteer opportunities as they become available and that can be a great way to get involved in the field of medicine that interests you.
Some non-medical ways to get involved include becoming a mentor with the Big Brother Big Sister organization or volunteering in assisted living communities.
Is this something you’re truly passionate about doing?
Sometimes as medical students, we get caught up in “checking off boxes” for our resumes, however, this shouldn’t be the way you view volunteering. As a student, your free time is limited and should be spent on things you are interested in. Certain opportunities might also have limits on the number of volunteers they can take, so that is something to consider when signing up for various opportunities.
I hope these tips help you think about what kind of volunteering opportunity you’d like to get involved in and how to fit it into your schedule!
