Volunteering a viable option

By: Kristen Howell

Posted: 11/6/08

With thoughts of a shaky economy and piled up college loans weighing
heavily on those fresh out of college or about to graduate, it seems
that many students are considering an alternative: service
volunteering.
Wednesday, October 22, Career Services hosted an on-campus Service
Fair, in order to give Capital students the opportunity to talk with
various volunteer organizations, both locally and nationally based.
Many groups were present, including Habitat for Humanity, The Red
Cross, Franklin County Children's Services, The Lutheran Volunteer
Corps, American City Year, and The Peace Corps.
Jan Rich, assistant director of Career Services, feels that post
graduate level volunteering is beneficial in a number of ways.
"It's a time to give back, while at the same time deferring college
loans," Rich said. "And for those with little or no experience in
undergraduate work, volunteering is an excellent résumé booster."
Rich suggests for those planning on attending graduate, medical, or
law school, taking a year off for extra preparation can be beneficial
as well.
Carla Daniels, assistant director of the Community Service Leadership
and Development (CSLD) office, said students to begin volunteering
before graduation.
"Volunteering gives you an understanding of the global effects of
life," Daniels said. "It gives you the opportunity to see the world in
a different light, and to dispel myths about a particular group . . .
when you volunteer, you realize that need transcends all barriers."
Daniels said she thinks that volunteer experience shows future
employers that you are willing to go the extra mile, giving
job-seekers an edge on the competition.
Emily Locy, student services coordinator, feels that she has gained
many important skills from volunteering her own time.
"You learn to tolerate people other than yourself," Locy said. "This
applies to settings throughout life, in everywhere from campus to the
workplace."
Eric Anderson, director of Career Services, ultimately said he thinks
that such an experience is highly beneficial to a student's future
career, as well as an important part of finding themselves.
"Many students opt to volunteer after graduation as a way to give
back and gain experiences . . . and also to gain a life direction,"
Anderson said.
Students that are interested in volunteering their time after
graduation should check out www.volunteermatch.org and
www.idealist.org.
Interested undergraduate students should see Carla Daniels in the
CSLD office, located in the Capital Center.
khowell@capital.edu