Volunteering Positions Matters?

[umaa]

Hi,
I've a good academic records. I'm preparing for GMAT now. My negative point is, I don't have any volunteering experience. So, I applied to the nearby library. I have 4 years of experience in marketing in a good position. So, I thought I can ask the library if it has any position of marketing. But I've got a reply back saying it has only clerical positions right now.

I'm so confused because I was told that volunteering position matters. ie, I need to volunteer in a good position. Is it true? Can I join in any kind of position? I really want to use my experience in an effective way. But as I don't have any volunteering experience, I'm ok with any kind of position which satisfied me. Please let me know what is your opinion.

[Cindy Tokumitsu]

Hello,

First, any volunteering experience is better than none, from the adcoms’ view. That said, volunteering that involves some kind of leadership is ideal. I’ve found that local organizations have many such opportunities – they are truly hungry for people to get involved, and if it’s a small organization you’ll probably find yourself chairing a committee before you even know what happened. From adcoms’ view, a small local organization is just as good as (and perhaps more interesting than) a large well-known organization.

Good luck!

Best regards,
Cindy Tokumitsu
Senior Editor, Accepted.com
www.Accepted.com

[Paxton Helms - Kaplan]

This is a tough situation but certainly not an uncommon one and not an insurmountable one.

A few thoughts:

Finding Opp'tys:

- A good way to identify volunteer opportunities is through a local ListServe in your community; just put up a post and say, "Can anybody recommend ways to get involved?"

- Churches and Craig's List are also good.

- If you are passionate about an issue, find a group that advocates your issue; chances are they have a local branch.


Your Role:

- Many organizations have a young professionals group that is an IDEAL way for you to get involved, show leadership, etc. In fact, that might be a criterion that you use for selecting which group you decide to get involved. You may not have the money or connections to get onto the board of the big organization but you can still do fundraising, organization, marketing, etc., for the Young Prof.'s board and have a great time, to boot.

- You might want to think about being involved in two things: one leadership role (say, an environmental organization) and one participation group (say, a local dog rescue organization).


If You Are Applying Now:

- First, understand that your situation is not uncommon. This is not an absolute requirement for getting into an MBA program. It just isn't.

- Second, come up with a plausible (and true) reason for why you haven't gotten involved (work, illness in family, etc.)...

....and then, third, stress how much you are looking forward to getting involved at your program and beyond. You might even cite some specific groups or charitable activities on campus that appeal to you.

Good luck and let me know if you have other questions--

Paxton

[umaa]

Cindy & Paxton,
Thanks a lot for your awesome reply. I'm planning to apply next year. ie, Fall 2010. I'm a house wife. Don't have anything to do other than studying for GMAT and TOEFL (English is not my first language). I want to strengthen my application. I believe the main area that I need to improve is volunteering experience. I definitely would look into local newspaper, churches and Craigslist.

But most of them are looking for volunteers on clerical works. I hate to do clerical works. I really want to do intellectual works like marketing. I love marketing.

Let me give it a try again. Will keep you updated.. thx..

[Paxton Helms - Kaplan]

I think what you may be missing is that there are two ways to volunteer: as a doer and as a leader. Doers are VERY important but may not be what you are looking for...

If you're running into the problem that you describe, I suggest trying to find a young professionals group (at a museum, at a conservation league, at a theater, at a whatever) and get involved that way. Seek out leadership positions (even if it is being chair of a committee of some kind) and then try to move into new leadership positions.

If you live in a big to medium-sized city there should be lots of opportunities. As I said before, a great way to find something is to find groups that do an activity that you're excited about.

Good Luck!

Paxton