volunteer experience

Lovebite · Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 7:20 pm Post subject:

Maybe I should make my position clearer.... I have no problem with volunteering to look good, but lets not kids ourselves about why we are doing it.

I don't think its puritanical to suggest that bone-fide volunteers have more altruistic motives than someone who is trying to look good. I guess it depends on whether the motivation describes the action. Its a bit like donating money. If you donate a big wad of cash, and do it anonymously, then in my mind, it is a more genuine act than donating money, and then telling everyone how generous you are.

Maybe it doesn't matter what the motivator is, as long as the money, or manpower gets to where its needed? Perhaps the end justifies the means.... I guess when it comes down to it, Meals on Wheels doesn't care if you are volunteering to get into Med School.

Maybe the idea of people feeling obliged, or compelled to volunteer is actually good. Maybe we (prospective med students) will see a side to life we would have otherwise missed, or perhaps we'll learn a little about the frailty of life, or the inadequacies of goverment policies?

Hmmm now I need to work out what kind of volunteering would fit into my already rediculously busy life? lol

macca_sti · Grizzled Joined: 16 Jan 2007 Posts: 148 Location: Bris

I do surf lifesaving, if you can swim thats probably a good option. Means your cpr, defib and first aid are always up to date Smile

and you get to spend time on the beach in summer. Dam its a hard life.

Lovebite · Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 10:26 pm Post subject:

oh yes.... and the view would be pretty nice too?

Adrian · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 1:14 pm Post subject:

Lovebite - didn't you know that there are an extra 24 hours in each day? Shhh, it's a secret!

I think the anonymous donator did it to help, and felt good about it too. Did he/she do it to assuage guilt for being better off than others? Did he/she do it to feel gregarious? Sure, maybe. Even altruistic acts aren't without self-interest. And there's nothing wrong with it, in my book.

Macca that does sound good!

Lovebite · Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 12:54 am Post subject:

ooh thats a nice word.... Assuage. Had to google it Smile

Now I have to work it into a sentence.... The fellas at work will love it Wink

bulldogs · Rookie Joined: 20 Aug 2009 Posts: 5

well i know that UMelb dont accept CVs for their interviews. not sure about other unis..

i would say in that case that they dont care about volunteer work.. no?