Volunteer vs. Part-time Job now?

Wondering if there is a significant benefit to having volunteer work on resume for b-school. I have sometime before I start so I could either make enough money to travel or volunteer at a non-profit (unpaid). Is the marginal benefit of volunteering now worth it before starting as an analyst? I am concerned I will seem too greedy on my resume with just ibd.

other stats: very good gpa, target school, double major... but no de mining 3rd world countries stuff

Thanks.

 

if i was in consulting i would have time to do all that non-profit microfinance demining cambodia stuff... do adcoms understand u really have zilch time to volunteer? I'm thinking by not doing volunteer stuff I will need to do more than just a 2-year stint... probably go somewhere else like corp M&A first?

========================================= We are excited to formally extend to you an offer to join Bank of Ameria
 

Honestly, I really don't think grad schools give a crap about helping anyone but their bottom line. I mean common, they want to admit people who will increase their brand value, go out and make a lot of money and hopefully give some back to the school.

2 years in IBD and a 750+ GMAT and you could kick a baby and get admitted.

 

As someone who is in M&A now (and really hates it) - enjoy the shit out of life in college. You won't find someone at your bank who wishes they could go back to where you are (assume you have a semester left or something), except for the clown show banker lovers.

Just enjoy it now, and make sure you take a trip post college. I went across europe with 3 of my best buds - best memories and experience. You will not have have time to do that during banking (you might have the money...) so take advantage now, when you don't have 4 layers of assholes above you.

 

Follow-up question, does it matter what kind of volunteer opportunity it is? I imagine some are more legit than others, but what about volunteering at a hospital like emergency ward? Or do I need to do some hardcore microfinance kiva lending to refugees in Haiti?

========================================= We are excited to formally extend to you an offer to join Bank of Ameria
 

Nah, it won't make a difference. Too long before your application. Volunteering only counts if it's done consistently for a long time preceding your application.

 

Most people applying to MBA programs fabricate their volunteer and extra-curricular activities to impress the admissions people. Even the essays are to a large extent either written by consultants or taken from a MBA admissions essays books. The only things which can't be fabricated are the University brand name, GPA, GMAT score, and work experience dates. Even work experience is largely fabricated and they tend to describe unreal achievements even if they were doing Powerpoint or Excel work. They suddenly portray themselves as leaders who achieved huge benefits for their company. So focus your efforts on the stuff which cannot be fabricated. the admissions consultants will take care of the rest of the stuff and projecting you as some kind of superhero.

 

Most volly work looks contrived, if there is something that you are actually passionate about, you should have been doing it for years, rather than just six months before you applied to b-school.

If you have the time, a lot of Community Colleges look for mentors for students grooming applications for transfer to full time universities. This is the sort of thing you can do from your desk, it actually makes a difference in peoples' lives, and you might actually meet some cool people.

 

I did alot of work for the same ngo during high school, would you say returning to work a while for them would be helpful as it would send a more congruent message to b-schools or would that still all be to far away from the b-school application?

While were at it, tradejoe1976 you said to focus on gpa/gmat, how helpful is very high gmat(790) in getting in?

 

When they are selecting MBA students, they look at four things: (1) Academic achievements - undergraduate school brand name, GPA, GMAT score (2) Work Experience - career progression, promotions, etc. You cannot fabricate dates, but many people fabricate achievements and promotions (3) Leadership potential - the admissions consultants will help you write your MBA essays, achievements at work will be fabricated, etc. (4) Extra-curricular activities - for a well-rounded inividual, also fabricated to a very large extent (5) Social activities - volunteer work, also fabricated to a very large extent You see, MBA is ll about selling the brand, not the product.

 

HFFBALLfan123,

While it certainly doesn't hurt, it really doesn't show leadership. Anyone can hand soup out at a soup kitchen -- it just takes a few hours of your time and the "template" is already laid out for you. Same goes for big brother big sister -- you're assigned children, they show up, you teach them some things, and you move on. This doesn't take an extraordinary effort, just a willingness to put in the hours.

The types of community service activities that make a REAL impact are the ones where you create the structure and the opportunity. I'll give you an example: I know someone that, in light of the financial crisis, pulled together materials from the internet to craft a presentation on effective financial budgeting/management, reached out to local organizations (non profit, schools, etc.) and presented the materials to children and adults. The program did not exist, he made it up. This sort of community outreach initiative will benefit you much, much more than BBBS.

CompBanker’s Career Guidance Services: https://www.rossettiadvisors.com/
 

The point I am trying to make is very simple. Why spend your time on activities and achievements which you can list anyway, and which they cannot and will not try to verify. Focus your time and energy on the components which they can and will verify. Youth goes in a flash. Spend your free time clubbing, partying, etc. Just avoid the DUI. The MBAs spend all their time in networking, socializing, and drinking. If you think that they are idealistic people who served in the Peace Corps, you are sadly mistaken. That is just something which they write down in their application.

 

That's my concern. I have time to pick up another volunteering type thing for the next 2ish years before I apply but the board membership, volume of hours, etc. makes it hard to justify leaving in my mind.

If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 
happypantsmcgee:
That's my concern. I have time to pick up another volunteering type thing for the next 2ish years before I apply but the board membership, volume of hours, etc. makes it hard to justify leaving in my mind.

B-schools love depth of involvement, so since you've put so much time into this, I highly recommend staying unless you absolutely can't due to time constraints. If you can overcome this obstacle and turn things around, that will be a great story to tell adcom.

 

Perhaps start working with another charity and see how it goes? If you get actively involved and do well, jettison the current situation and cut your losses, then justify leaving to bschool because "the vision and focus of the last charity changed and I no longer wanted to be a part of it", OR go on the charm offensive before leaving and spin it as "the last charity led me to my current one and I decided to amicably terminate my board position in favor of full committment to the next endeavor", or some such story. Honestly, you've been through some tough situations in life, so dealing with a bunch of whiny board members will be unpleasant but worth it.

DISCLAIMER: I'm just adding some ideas, not making suggestions.

Get busy living
 

I'd definitely stick it out if you can. Besides, how are you going to explain why you left? It doesn't sound too good that you had a personality clash and weren't able to resolve it, but instead quit. While obviously you wouldn't position it that way, it could lead to some questions.

CompBanker’s Career Guidance Services: https://www.rossettiadvisors.com/
 
CompBanker:
I'd definitely stick it out if you can. Besides, how are you going to explain why you left? It doesn't sound too good that you had a personality clash and weren't able to resolve it, but instead quit. While obviously you wouldn't position it that way, it could lead to some questions.
This is essentially what I am trying to avoid. My only thought here is to look for something else in the community service space and say that I got really into my new endeavor and wanted to devote myself fully to it rather than try to split my time between the two.

Calling me at work to bitch about minutia is really starting to push me over the edge though.

If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 

I thought this was for sure a Brady thread. Maybe try to lateral over to a equally good sounding position if possible, and explain it as a "progression". I like how you put "service" in quotes, bschool-volunteering style.

 

I resigned from the Board but I am still working with the organization.

I don't know if I suspect wrong doing but out and out refusing an audit is fishy at best.

As far as the legal stuff goes, I have talked to my lawyer and ensured that even if it blows up, I'm covered.

If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 
Relinquis:
Tough situation. I would say do what feels right for you and worry about spinning the story for B-School apps afterwards. B-School apps shouldn't be a factor in your moral and social choices or when it comes to managing your reputation.
I completely agree. I only asked because if there was a huge response one way or the other (ie definitely stay or definitely go) then I wanted to know that be able to act in accordance with it sooner rather than later.
If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 

I think you've clearly demonstrated the ability to remain committed to a cause for the long-term- you're definitely not one of those candidates who picks up a few volunteering activities a few months before apps are due. You're clearly frustrated with this organization, so maybe it's time to find something new. People change and their interests change as well- I think you'd be totally fine in finding another volunteering activity that you're passionate about and leaving your current organization. I highly doubt adcoms would fault you in any way and if you had to explain it, you could spin it as a desire to take yourself out of your comfort zone and pursue new passions.

Founder, Volunteer Forever http://www.volunteerforever.com
 

Hi happypantsmcgee,

Demonstrating your involvement in social welfare and volunteer work is also of special interest to the admission committees. Volunteering experience is a great way to establish a candidate as a responsible, aware individual who is up to taking challenges and helping others. But since a lot of people now volunteer, you need to make sure what you do sets you apart from other candidates.3 years is a good time so don’t worry if you want to focus your time on other activities to build your profile for a good B school. It’s the quality that matters not quantity.

 

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"Give me guys that are poor, smart, and hungry. And no feelings." - Michael Douglas as Gordon Gekko in "Wall Street"
 

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