Got job offer while AOS is pending...(need help!)

[VanessaTony 3,567]

This is incorrect. There are number of cases that got expedited based on the job offer. I highly encourage OP to do so ASAP. Get a letter and apply. The worst can happen is they reject it. However, there is >50% chance that they will approve it if this is a true offer from good-size company

There was also a thread here were people shared their volunteering experience. You absolutely do not need to wait for AOS to volunteer. You can volunteer in the hospital and universities. You just need to make sure that you can prove that you were not compensated.

The main point the person was making (that you quoted) is that the OP CANNOT volunteer for a position in which s/he would gain benefits, such as future employment so the OP could NOT volunteer where they're hoping to get a paid job. The ones you mentioned are of course fine, the previous poster didn't say that, they just said the OP's situation in which they asked if they could volunteer at their future employers is illegal because they are gaining a benefit from it.