Volunteering for Students: How to Get Started
Volunteering your time as a college student is great for all involved, but how to you make sure that you’ll be working in an area that’s good for you? Start by asking yourself a few simple questions. How much time do you have left after classes and studying? Do I have any specific interests or talents? Would I prefer to work alone or closely with others? Do I want flexibility with my schedule or a regularly-scheduled assignment? Once you know the answers to these, here are some good places to start your search:
1. There’s no place like home. For those who believe that charity begins in the home, the same could hold true for home towns, right? Check out your community phone book for some initial ideas. Is there a senior home that needs visitors? How about a children’s library group that needs readers? Go online and check out your town’s web site or visit your chamber of commerce for more ideas.
2. Synagogues, church groups, colleges and city school systems are in touch with many families every day who are going through hard times and need help.
3. National programs have local chapters. Have you always been impressed when the Red Cross is on hand for emergencies? How about The United Way? Big Brothers and Big Sisters programs can be found in most major metropolitan areas.
4. Think about people in your family who have been struck down by a disease. For example, if your grandfather had heart disease, contact the American Heart Association and offer your help.
5. Think internationally. While there are more causes in The United States than there are people to help, sometimes volunteers are looking for a life-altering experience that will show them other parts of the world. If that’s how you feel, go to the Peace Corps web site to learn more about their program.
There are more ways to give of yourself than there are hours to research it. Hopefully, this list will give you an idea of where to start.
