Community service or volunteerism enables students to acquire life skills and knowledge, as well as provide a service to . Do enjoy yourself! For example, lets imagine that as part of your school-required community service or service learning, you've decided to use the writing skills you developed in AP English to volunteer at a local non-profit that raises awareness of Alzheimers disease. Depending on the type of work you're doing volunteering can be time-consuming. Researchers have discovered humans are hard-wired to give to others. It also teaches them more about themselves and introduces them to new friends. Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here: PrepScholar 2013-2018. It may also be because students who volunteer are more likely to focus on their grades as well. Many students begin serving in high school, but students who serve even earlier have an even greater advantage. Through community service, students can learn valuable skills such as teamwork, communication, and leadership. "Students who volunteer can gain important life experiences, meet new people, and may be able to receive school credit. One of the best ways to make new friends and strengthen existing relationships is to commit to a shared activity together. Volunteering is a fun and easy way to explore your interests and passions. That's why many companies frequently organise community service activities for employees, as it strengthens relationships and teamwork. Volunteering is good for your health at any age, but its especially beneficial in older adults. For example, if you spend your days going to school, playing sports, and doing homework, you will likely not spend a lot of time thinking about the problems that homeless people encounter. At Ottumwa High School, students have the opportunity to give back to their community through various service projects. This kind of exposure to different situations can then teach students how to further develop skills that they have, and how to work on areas they struggle in. (UC San Diego), Western Connecticut State University
Danbury, CT 06810, Leadership, Compassion and Creativity Program, Qualities and Skills Important to Employers. Students who participate in high-quality community-based service-learning enjoy a number of benefits, both in their personal and professional life, according to numerous studies carried out in K-12 and higher education programs. They practice: Leadership Problem-solving Collaboration with others Time management Communication Most importantly, students learn that the work they do can make a real impact in the world. It may be challenging to find time in everyones schedules to coordinate volunteer work, but this is a great way to get to know organizations in your community and find resources or programs available to your family and friends. Doing community service is one of thebest ways to get back to your community, and despite the positive effects that it has on society, it also brings a lot of personal benefits to your life and personal development. The main importance of community services is to give back to others. 5. Check out our list of volunteer scholarships. If you end up doing work that doesnt seem like a good fit, is causing excessive stress, or if the experience isnt allowing you to do the things you thought you would be working on, its ok to leave to find something else. Employers tend to look for candidates who have obtained skills in these areas. The Bridge Teen Center offers opportunities for middle school and high school students to serve at The Bridge Thrift Store through its innovative Thriftastic Job Readiness program. Here are some benefits that students derive from the community service. And many of them relate directly to your career prospects. Adapted with permission from Simple Changes, Big Rewards: A Practical, Easy Guide for Healthy, Happy Living, a special health report published by Harvard Health Publications. "Community service helps [students ]to mature by developing social skills, doing outreach or public relations tasks. Organize or participate in a food or clothing drive. One of the better-known benefits of volunteering is the impact on the community. College volunteering helps you feel better about yourself and increase overall satisfaction in your life by helping others and staying in regular contact with others. In particular, students find that they are able to develop skills in leadership, communication, working well with a team, and finding solutions for problems. Communities. Understanding what they struggle with reinforced why I wanted to study criminal justice and gave me a picture of the things I will encounter in my future career. Immediately you would be developing a new skill: the ability to write for a targeted, non-academic audience. If youre considering a new career, volunteering can help you get experience in your area of interest and meet people in the field. Community service is a way for students to go out and do something instead of staying . Those who volunteer in their teens develop a sense of self. Access to additional services or healthcare. She has years of tutoring experience and is also passionate about travel and learning languages. By the time you start interning as a junior/senior you will have the skills to be polished and professional in any career, and the network and resume to place you ahead of the competition. When an individual engages in community service, they gain psychological, social, and cognitive benefits (Ferrari & Chapman, 2014). It takes a lot of money to send a person to jail. While the benefits of community service for students include directly helping and making a difference in an organization and the lives of people you are serving, it will also make a difference in your career prospects. 5. "Community service hours are impressive additions to college applications and can provide a student with a great sense of accomplishment; however, the mandatory . This term describes an approach to education that aims to connect lessons learned in the classroom with real-life lessons learned through community service. But volunteering can give you a chance to try things that you will be interested in as a career, such as working in social media, organizing events, or working in a specific type of institution such as a hospital. You probably know some students in your school who choose to volunteer their free time through community service. Considering this aspect, community service is a great way to get students to do more outdoor activities, instead of just staying and working on electronics. Community service teaches high schoolers respect for others. However, the reason is not an important factor. Though its often on the honor system to report what you've done, these high schools may require up to 200 hours of community service before they're willing to grant a degree. This will be a huge benefit to them throughout their lives. Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com, allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. With classes, clubs, sports teams, art projects, and paying jobs being a priority, it is easy for volunteering to suddenly take a back seat on your schedule. 78% of volunteers say that it has lowered their stress levels. When hurricanes hit the south coast or wildfires burn up California, volunteers are critical in helping victims get re-settled, fed, and back to their normal lives as quickly as possible. people your own age? Many Christian schools set requirements based on the Biblical idea that it is the Christians duty to do community outreach with whatever gift they have been given by God. Bear in mind that the most valuable skills you can bring to any volunteer effort are compassion, an open mind, a willingness to do whatever is needed, and a positive attitude. Volunteering for community service is a great way to develop these skills. Centenary University has been helping students achieve their personal and professional goals for over 155 years. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools. Career driven students should take note of this and start early! Writing and graphic design lends itself to working at home, and in todays digital age many organizations might also need help with email and websites. Recent studies have shown that volunteering gives you remarkable health benefits. With college volunteering, you will become more comfortable with your fellow volunteers over time and boost your confidence levels too. Transferable Skills There is a plethora of experiences waiting in the local community that do not require previous qualifications and offer a wealth of training, transferable skills, and networking opportunities. Have you ever wondered if volunteering makes a big difference in college admissions? You might eventually expand your duties into other areas, such as managing the organizations social media accounts, which would further develop your writing skills. Should Community Service be Mandatory Essay Albert Einstein, one of the smartest men to ever live, is quoted saying "Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile." This is achieved through striving to uplift those around you with volunteering. Why? This proves impressive to colleges looking for responsible, hard-working students to admit. This program can even open up employment opportunities for students with The Bridge Thrift Store. Copyright 2023. It also teaches them more about themselves and introduces them to new friends. Community service is often organized . Commenting on the skills she has gained from volunteering Junior at Centenary Gabrielle Lambe says she has learned to communicate effectively with other volunteers and collaborate on group projects. For faculty, Service Learning provides opportunities to: Increase student equity for disproportionately impacted groups. Volunteering is a great way to explore different interests. Service-learning has a positive effect on students: personal and interpersonal development leadership and communication skills reducing stereotypes and facilitating cultural & racial understanding sense of social responsibility and citizenship skills commitment to service academic learning ability to apply what they have learned in "the real world" To find a good fit, teens should first ask themselves a couple of important questions: An organization that lines up with a students interests and goals, as well as the time they can give and skill set, is an ideal match. While service is not required to graduate, it is encouraged and many students take advantage of this opportunity to make a difference. Community Service: Top 10 Reasons to Volunteer. Most importantly, volunteering can improve your student resume. Even more importantly, 53% said that community service was a tie-breaker between equally qualified students. One of the primary goals of service learning is to connect classroom lessons with community service lessons. While some people are naturally outgoing, others are shy and have a hard time meeting new people. hbspt.cta.load(360031, '4efd5fbd-40d7-4b12-8674-6c4f312edd05', {}); Have any questions about this article or other topics? Benefits of community service to students: 1. The community-engaged approach also curates a more interactive and inclusive classroom atmosphere in which students are more valued and heard. Through such initiatives, you can help other young adults by providing a space for them to talk and navigate the issues in their lives. Volunteering can strengthen a teens relationships with family members, when everyone serves together. May be required to obtain a First Aid and/or CPR Card and serve as a Delegated Caregiver or Designated First Aid Provider. Children watch everything you do. If you are living with disabilities or are lacking time or transportation, there are ways to volunteer over the phone or computer as well! Did you know that your volunteer work can also be helpful in paying for college? Occasionally performs other duties as required by supervisor. While this may seem like a daunting task to find, there are many resources available to help students. Because volunteering engages students directly with a community, it allows for a special bond with those people or organizations being served. Many people learn about their personal strengths and weaknesses, as well as how to overcome them. Additionally, you would be gaining a new perspective on your community and on what life is like for a group of people that is often overlooked: the terminally ill. Read:A Guide for Tech Graduates: 5 Career Prospects for 2021-2025. There are plenty of places for teens to find volunteer opportunities. Habitat for Humanity is excited to share some of the many benefits of community service for students. Contacts made through volunteering often lead to letters of recommendation, references, and help with finding job opportunities. One of its most rewarding aspects (Osterhoff) is the opportunity it provides for students to develop character and contribute to society in a variety of ways. Start fundraising or donating to an organization you care about. To get a real idea of how important volunteers are to keeping the country running, lets look at the numbers. Being willing to experiment with a variety of service opportunities can also lead students into a clearer path for their future. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? But the logic of forcing people to volunteer falls short when compared to the benefits students gain from the act of offering to perform community service. It's believed that community service is somewhat of a missing link for students, giving them the chance to apply what they've learned in the classroom to real human needs. It also helps students to cultivate connections between various organizations, schools and community groups, which can prove to be very useful later on in life. Check out how to write a good community service essay and how to get a community service letter. College volunteering helps students cognitively by enhancing their knowledge, growing from new experiences, and developing and improving interpersonal communication skills as well. Working with pets and other animals has also been shown to improve mood and reduce stress and anxiety. Through their service, students are given the opportunity to work with a variety of diverse people. This could be due to the benefits and learning potential of volunteering positions. Many volunteer programs provide training, so volunteers gain an educational benefit to add to their resume as well. Students gain an understanding of the importance of teamwork, decision-making, leadership, and practical skills, as well as the value of teamwork. Coach Sports for Local Kids. We in Community Engagement argue that they need it just as much or more than the community they are serving. As a result, students who list community service activities on their resume can have an advantage over those who do not. Students who volunteer can gain important life experiences, meet new people, and may be able to receive school credit. Habitat for Humanity is excited to share some of the many, benefits of community service for students. Future employers will likely be much more interested in hearing about a fundraiser that you ran than they will be in hearing about your burger flipping skills. Of course, not all the benefits of volunteering are limited to the volunteer. 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