Putting down MLP-related volunteer experience on applications?

[lynndx101 14]

So, I'm in the process of applying to a local Ambulance Core. Apparently the application process is somehat competitive and I have very little outside emt experience besides this one time I was part of First Aid for a mlp convention. However, I'm reluctant because I would not want my application to get thrown out because of the stigma that surrounds the fandom. The only upside is that because it's student run, I will be probably explaining what a Brony and Mlp is to people in their 20s and there is a chance they might be a little more tolerant than someone older.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,026]

Tell them with pride then sue their asses if get rejected.

[lynndx101 14]

Pony Based Discrimination? Better run that by the ACLU first.

 

However, I can try to claim that I have accepted Princess Celestia into my heart and probably get more traction. Lol

Edited January 27, 2016 by lynndx101

[Gestum 2,493]

Jesus Christ, bronies don't face that kind of discrimination. Your application won't get thrown out because of what fandom you're in.

[Merion 783]

But... do you have to go into detail about the con? Do they need to know what kind of convention it was? And if they do, how can they tell that you're a part of the fandom? I mean, the First Aid people at cons are just there doing their job keeping the attendees safe... That doesn't necessarily mean they're involved in the fandom. And I don't think they're supposed to actively TAKE PART in the con either!

 

I'm not saying that confessing your bronyhood is a bad thing! But I kinda think that focusing on the application process itself is far more important than going into detail about fandoms. Explaining what Bronies are seems like a waste of time when you could just summarize the con as an "animated series-related event". 

Edited January 27, 2016 by Merion

[lynndx101 14]

I totally understand that. More than likely if my application were to be denied, it's due to my lack of experience. Which is my problem. This Volenteer work can put me ahead of other applicants but, again, I'm not stupid. There is a huge stigma surrounding the Brony Community (especially with r34) and that can reflect badly on my application.

[Guest]

@@lynndx101, 

 

I think being part of First Aid of a convention full of people with a reputation for being autistic retards puts you in a really good place.

[lynndx101 14]

True. There is an entire possibility that they will simple glance over my experience. However, what would be the most appropriate thing to say if they are like What is Ponycon?

[Guest]

@@lynndx101,

 

Say it's a convention for my little pony. Unless they know specifically what a brony is, they'd probably assume that it's target audience were little girls. Imagine the injuries that happen when little girls run all over the place. No pedo.

 

In fact, go out of your way to give this description of ponycon. If they google it themselves, their gonna stumble upon some bad stuff. ( assuming they don't already know about bronies )

[Trinitron Keys 89]

Well, you were the professional in that situation, so they probably won't look at it that harsh. Be careful how you play this. If questioned on it, just say you're just starting out and it's tough to get high-profile assignments at this level. You don't have that wide a selection at the entry-levelanyway, but highlight this: "to me, it was saving lives and getting people to the hospital safely that really mattered." Let 'em know you wanna do the work and your heart's in the right place.

[That One Techpriest You Used To Know 2,286]

So, I'm in the process of applying to a local Ambulance Core. Apparently the application process is somehat competitive and I have very little outside emt experience besides this one time I was part of First Aid for a mlp convention. However, I'm reluctant because I would not want my application to get thrown out because of the stigma that surrounds the fandom. The only upside is that because it's student run, I will be probably explaining what a Brony and Mlp is to people in their 20s and there is a chance they might be a little more tolerant than someone older.

 

They'll be interested that you ran First Aid for a convention, not that it was a pony-based convention. All you need to say is "I participated as a First Aid staffer at a convention." Tell them the truth if they ask, but don't even mention it or put too much stigmata on it. If you treat it like it's perfectly normal, they shouldn't question it further. If they do ask, tell them that it's a 'My Little Pony' convention- don't use the fan names like 'brony' or 'pegasister'.

 

Don't worry about it, but don't emphasize the fact that you enjoy pastel color ponies, as then it becomes unprofessional. Answer hte question if it is presented to you, but you don't need to offer that information.

True. There is an entire possibility that they will simple glance over my experience. However, what would be the most appropriate thing to say if they are like What is Ponycon?

 

 

@@lynndx101,

 

Say it's a convention for my little pony. Unless they know specifically what a brony is, they'd probably assume that it's target audience were little girls. Imagine the injuries that happen when little girls run all over the place. No pedo.

 

In fact, go out of your way to give this description of ponycon. If they google it themselves, their gonna stumble upon some bad stuff. ( assuming they don't already know about bronies )

 

This, especially this- but whatever you do, don't lie at all. If you have to tell them it's grown men and women, tell them so. Don't lie, or you put your job in jeopardy for pretty much the entire time you work there.

[Malinter 3,064]

If you were first Aid at a convention. What the convention was about would be irrelevant. 

[PinkieatHeart 208]

Okay, if they can't be professional enough to not judge about Mlp, you probably don't wanna be working with them anyway, dude.

[PiratePony 8,475]

I would make sure you put "fan convention" on the resume, because "what's a ponycon" is probably the response, as somepony said above.  "First Aid volunteer at My Little Pony Fan Convention." 

 

I'm pretty much sure nopony in charge of an ambulance core knows was a Ponycon, an r34 or even have any preconceived discrimination towards any fandom, other than "okay...nerd" and be done with it. They're busy doing other things, like saving lives, to even probably know what My Little Pony is other than those toys kids played with once upon a time, especially if they're adult. And if they do, they don't care. But I digress.

 

"First Aid Volunteer at My Little Pony (or MLP) fan convention" is better than combining to make "ponycon" because then it might make more sense. The big relevance is the first aid experience. 

[simba86 1,541]

you was on the first aid team at a brony convention, i would put it down on the application, the more you can put on there the more you will stand out, just because you worked there won't be a problem, emt's work in all different places ,that does not mean they are rabid fans of every place they work

[lynndx101 14]

yeah, I might go with a lot of y'all's advice and just put "Fan Convention" or "MLP Fan Convention" and if anyone asks how I got to volunteer, I can just say that my friend said they needed first aid people and I was happy to take any position anywhere (not entirely untrue as I did find out about the convention as a whole from a friend of mine). 

 

I guess I was originally overthinking this when I asked this question. I'm used to a lot of the hate on the internet for this fandom (when I post in other areas of the internet with a pony pic as a profile) and I figured that most strangers IRL think and say the same thing (I'm entirely "in the closet" lol). But after browsing through some of the threads here, People really don't give a shit if you don't give a shit about what they think. 

Edited January 27, 2016 by lynndx101

[Twilight Sparkle ✨ 8,527]

One note of caution: the way you treat the subject signals to others how they should react to it. If/when it comes up, expect to get different reactions by treating it nonchalantly:

Quote

Yeah, it's a great community with lots of creative people in it. Myself, I do first-aid for my local pony convention and love being part of it.

vs dramatically:

Quote

The pony fandom is the incarnation of all that is good about humanity, with none of the bad, and it's zomgamazing. Seriously, everyone out there is wrong; whatever you know about it is wrong; [insert rant about how much better it is than whatever they were thinking of]. The cartoon is the best thing ever and my life revolves around it.

[SolyWack 482]

For something like this, it doesnt matter in the slightest what the convention was for, just that you were there at all.

 

Plenty of people are quardians at conventions they dont care about simply for volunteer work or even fun. Most employers won't care at all.

 

The line is only drawn if it's obvious it will be a problem. Say, if your email was P0nyL0V3r@yahoo.com. Then some flags might be thrown down.

 

Otherwise it's just an event. Working at a soup kitchen doesnt mean you like hanging with homeless people.

 

And if the people hiring are in their 20's, then I would place money that being at an mlp convention would more likely help you, then hurt you.

[cider float 2,538]

I'd say just put it down. People put way weirder things on their resume.