I can't pretend that I do not appreciate the position I temporarily filled at Vanderbilt through the VTS: it connected me with my landlord, paid my way for a couple months and desensitized me of any difficult job I may have later on in life. Except for the fact that you're making money, temping is terrible under most circumstances. But when you consider the alternative for many folks - unemployment - it's a gift. When I first moved to Nashville I was lucky enough to have free room and board until I got on my feet. I spent a month looking for real work, then a month looking for temp work and then suddenly one day in 2011 I received a call from a VTS recruiter to come on in for an interview. In retrospect I may have only been chosen for the position I filled because I have a college degree and for no other reason. I was placed in a position I had no experience in and required at least 4+ weeks of training to get down, (I was only there for about 12 weeks) and should not have been filled by anyone other than someone with a serious commitment to the position and medical office training. I basically manned the front desk answered phones, sent mail, delivered packages all over the hospital and preformed incredibly important data entry and paperwork processing involving credentialing new medical staff - me a temporary employee the face of the department. The management of the department I was placed in was so atrocious for the important role that the department played at the Vanderbilt Medical Center that it was enough for me to question ever using them for my personal health care needs. Basically they had not hired someone because there was no manpower to actually go through the interviewing process and the employees were so disconnected from their coworkers tasks they had no idea what kinds of work I was actually being asked to do at the front. The girl I was replacing quit her job for this and several other work environment reasons, and after I left they did not fill the position with any less than 3 temps in 6 months before they hired a real employee. (I know this because my friend and now landlord still works there, he is the probably the only reason I survived more than 2 weeks) I'm relaying this information to you because if you have never temped you should be aware you will be placed in positions you will be completely unprepared for. The best advice I can give is to do what you can. Honestly do not be hard on yourself if you cannot do all of what they ask of you. Although my VTS recruiter continually promised to move me from the department, she often said "I'm your friend in this and want to make sure you're happily employed", I was never moved from the department after I complained several times about work environment and that someone qualified should be in the position. The process of applying to be a temp at VTS can be done online, but I suggest if you have questions to apply online in the VTS front office located in the 2525 building on West End. They have a computer lab where you can apply. It is also the same application that is used when you apply for any job at Vanderbilt, you just also select VTS Temp Services for the upcoming month, and submit. After that you will or will not hear anything. If you are contacted, you'll be interviewed and take some aptitude/typing tests. Then you'll wait some more. I waited 2 days got a call to come in, run through a quick orientation about parking passes, ID badges, office locations and reported to my job the next Monday. I'm not saying don't try out VTS but be prepared is all I'm saying. If you're lucky enough to land a job many start you out at $12.00 (better than ol' McDonalds) and can lead to permanent employment. I also know of other temps who had worse and better experiences than I did. And although I left proud of myself for sticking it out and really trying my darned hardest to learn and preform all the tasks asked of me while in that position, I am soooo sooo glad and grateful to not be there anymore. So VTS thanks for showing me what I'm capable of handling in a job situation! read more