Something that I've learned how to do working on my senior project is how to go in for interviews for volunteer positions. This may sound silly, but when I was a junior my mom pushed me to fill out an application for the City of Hope Teen Volunteer Program that was only open once a year. I told her I would do it but I never got around to it because I was afraid of being rejected when I had to interview in person. I kick myself in the butt so much now because that opportunity would have been amazing but I missed it.
However, doing my senior project I feel like I was pushed to go into the ocean to learn how to swim. I didn't really have a choice and was desperate to start service learning somewhere so I called every hospital within a 30 mile vicinity to see if their volunteer apps were available yet. Huntington Hospital in Pasadena was the first to call me back and I didn't realize it was a phone interview until half way through. Lets just say after I told her the reason I wanted to volunteer there specifically was because every other hospital wasn't taking volunteers...she decided on another route. I got rejection after rejection because of deadlines, I couldn't make the shift hours, and other reasons.
San Dimas Hospital was my last hope. If they didn't accept me I was going to finish up my hours at my pediatricians office and call it a day. By the time I interviewed with the coordinator, I tried to use my previous interview errors as a guide for what not to say and maintain a happy attitude even though inside I thought to myself if I got one more rejection I'd die. In the end I ended up getting the position to work on the actual hospital floor and I now go every Thursday and Friday!
2) This is my uniform and badge that opens doors when I scan it B)
3) What research helped you to do this and how?*
Most of the research I did didn't really come from books or anything. Ms. Melogno was the one who told me during the beginning of the year to just go ahead and do whatever you have to do because in the end, the worst answer you'll get is a no. Still though, I was trying to push off doing it because I hate rejection! It's like another form of failure! Then I went to volunteer at Glendora Pediatrics and my mentor there, Dr. Mafoud*, told me that as a Doctor, you cannot be afraid of anything because it will deter you from accomplishing your goal. He talked about how as a prospective resident, getting an interview was like a gift from God and worrying about being rejected wasn't even on his mind because at least he had an opportunity to do his best. This gave me confidence and pushed me to do the interviews. And now I have a badge :D
So again, my sources were Ms. Melogno and my mentor, Dr. Mafoud.
*A little clarification in case your wondering, Dr. Mafoud was my own Pediatrician so asking if I could volunteer at his practice wasn't really a challenge. I mean volunteering at hospitals specifically because it is really hard and competitive now a days to get into certain places!
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