paid volunteer experience vs work experience

[billradzin]

As I'm looking towards the future of applying to grad schools, I have been looking at common qualities programs desire in their applicants. Two of these qualities include volunteer work and work experience. I'm working as a personal care assistant and am wondering if this is a good position to hold because it is healthcare related while slp is more of an educational field. I applied americorps and got offered a position as an elementary literacy tutor but am confused on whether or not it would be considered volunteer work or not because you receive a living stipend and an award after each year of service up to 3 years. I would like to quit my pca job and do americorps but I am concerned programs will see americorps as volunteer experience and not work experience, or not even volunteer experience because it is paid. I also got offered a volunteer position as an Academic activity mentor for a youth services organization. Would it be wise to accept both the americorps and volunteer position and label them as work experience and volunteer experience? Or is americorps considered volunteer experience?

[billradzin]

I'm working as a personal care attendant and am considering volunteering and working in a more youth/literacy oriented area. I have a volunteer position lined up as an activity leader for a youth services organization. I also have a paid volunteer position with reading corps lined up but I am hesitant to do that because it is paid volunteering. So if I quit my pca job and did the paid volunteering, would this be bad because it may seem as though I don't have work experience from the time I quit my pca job until my grad application?

[biisis]

Here's my two cents:

 

I think that working with a stipend that doesn't pay more than mimumum wage for all your work hours, bundled together = volunteer work.

 

That being said, Americore is a well recognized program. Folks will understand that it's public service work, regardless of whether or not you classify it as paid or volunteer work. They'll also have a good understanding of the scope of the commitment and the time you put into it. 

 

I wouldn't worry as much about the classifications of these positions as what you'll learn in doing them, and how that learning could support you interest in the field you'd like to study, and indeed if you even actually want to study it. While there's nothing to suggest that this is you particular case, there's nothing sadder than a volunteer with no passion, challenge, or commitment to their work, merely going through the motions in order to get an abstract credential. What you'll get out the experience, as a learner, community member, and a human being, should probably hold more weight that what you get for your resume.

[NWGirl24]

I did AmeriCorps for two years with a literacy nonprofit and it was one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my life. My GPA and GRE were fairly average, but I believe this experience helped me stand out and get accepted to several programs. AmeriCorps is tough--you're not making much money, and the job is demanding (psychologically, emotionally, and physically). But joining AmeriCorps and successfully completing a term or two or service shows determination, strong work ethic, a desire to give back, and perseverance. Also, you'll get hands-on experience working in a strongly related field which will give you lots to draw on for your personal statement.  On my resume/CV, I listed it as "service" experience because like you, I wasn't sure whether to list it as work or volunteer experience since it didn't seem to fully fit either category. From the schools I talked to, service experience like this is highly valued. I think it may help give you an edge over other applicants.

 

Also, you're eligible for an education award after a full term of service that you can apply to existing school loans or a future program. When I did it, I received $5,500 per term, and my total award after two terms paid for my entire first semester of grad school (housing, books, tuition, food, etc).

 

Hope this helps!