Question Regarding Community Service

Expert replies

AmiParik82: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 17; Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 8:58 pm; Location: Mumbai

by AmiParik82 » Fri Oct 16, 2009 12:27 pm

Hello

I have a very specific question related to community service. I quit my job 6 months back and since then have been volunteering work in a private hospital (Not a non-profit organization) in Mumbai, India. I decided to volunteer work in a private hospital because i wanted to help people and contribute to my community and at the same time gain some experience in administrative work. I have a 3 years of experience in Information Technology (IT) field and I am interested in perusing MBA in IT or IT related MBA's.

My question to you are:

1> will my volunteer work in private hospital considered community service by admission committee?

2> Can I put my volunteer work experience in my resume while applying to MBA programs?

2> As I took a break from work to do volunteer work will that be taken negatively by the admission committee?

I look forward to receiving your reply.

Thanks in advance.

Best Regards,
Ami

Source: Beat The GMAT — Ask mbaMission | Fri Oct 16, 2009 12:27 pm

GMAT/MBA Expert

mbaMissionJessica: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 148; Joined: Sun Jun 14, 2009 12:26 pmFollowed by: 9 members; Thanked: 12 times

by mbaMissionJessica » Tue Oct 20, 2009 12:33 pm

Hi Ami, and thank you for your questions. To answer them:

1. The admissions committee isn't looking to check a box on "community service", they're looking for evidence that an applicant has a broader connection with the world than just work, multiple facets to their personality, and a sense of engagement with the world. Demonstrating that is often done through community service, but I have seen applicants be successful discussing personal stories about helping family members, for example.

2. Yes, do put your volunteer work on your resume, although depending on the extent of it and results it may fit better under Interests or Personal rather than under Experience.

3. It sounds like you took a break in order to gain skills that are directly relevant to your career, or at least to rounding out your experience. As long as you are clear about the reasons for the break and what you've learned from it, I can't see how that will be viewed neatively.

Good luck.

Jessica Shklar
Senior Consultant
mbaMission (www.mbamission.com)
646-485-8844

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