Work experience V voluntary work

[queen_jilbabi]

I just cant seem to get work experience i have done voluntary work though. But i heard that there is a special section in some universities where they ask you about work experience and what will i say as i have none. I really dont want this to ruin my chances. pleaz help

[Gizmo says -]

get sum work experience then, macca.

if you live near me you can join our volunteer squad and i'll give you some work exp.

[aka_akon]

if u're volunteerin in a caring environment, doesn't that count as work exp?

[Spencer Wells]

if u're volunteerin in a caring environment, doesn't that count as work exp?

It depends on the environment. Interviewers want to see that you know what a career as a doctor involves, and one of the best ways of demonstrating this is by directly observing doctors in their work. If your voluntary work brings you in to contact with doctors than brilliant. If not, you need to think about arranging some work shadowing.

[R2B]

Might sound a stupid question, but how much of each is advisable? I've spent considerable time (150 hours+) working as a volunteer at a charity for disabled children which involves me spending time looking after the children/young people as part of a team with volunteers and paid staff during school holidays on trips etc. I also have limited experience i.e 3 days in a hospital shadowing doctors spending time in theatre etc. Would you advise to get some more of that, or will they be happy with 3 days? (i also spend my work experience in year 11 in a hospital admin department, though i'd say its relevance would be minimal).

[bpr]

My bet is that they want it for two main reasons: 1) That you're aware of what a medical career involves, ie, dr contact. If your working in a nursing home then its hard to fulfil this.
2) To show/develop a caring attitude, you'd achieve this in a nursing home far more than following a Urologist around on rounds for a week.

See?

[Sprout_hair]

Does work experience AT a hospital count? A wee in year 11 shadowing doctors.. enough?

[agneishd]

depends if you can talk about it in detail, possibly remember an interesting case you saw, or what you learnt about the career, and whther or not that confirmed your choice of the career

there is no "enough" time wise, just need to be able to answer Qs on it

course, the more the better, and sounds better on personal statement

[terpineol]

My local hospital (at home anyway) is crying out for people to volunteer to help out on the wards.

That seemed to be the badger when it came to interviews.

[Jhesam]

What the heck is a volunteer squad? Sounds vigilante.