By: Autumn Fortenberry
As a college student, people are provided with great amounts of opportunity and freedom to find themselves. Greek life, Student Government, Art Programs, Intramural Sports, and many other organizations each offer places for students to find others who share similar passions. With so much to choose from, the opportunities can sometimes become overwhelming.
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From a young age, I have seized every volunteer opportunity available to me because I enjoy working with people and making connections. Over time, I have found that I feel most in-tune with my true self when I am serving others. Whether I am volunteering as a counselor at camps for people with special needs or helping facilitate an on-campus event, I feel that I see my most authentic qualities exposed in these circumstances. I find it refreshing and rewarding to be able to take a step back from the stress of everyday life and instead project all of my efforts into helping another person.
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Volunteer work may not be something that everyone finds joy in doing, but it is worth the overall experience. Community service in any capacity will allow anyone to gain a new perspective of themselves and of others. Through setting aside personal wants and needs, volunteers learn humility, patience, and countless other skills. Many people discover that they possess an aptitude for certain career paths through volunteering for unpaid positions. Some people even feel that their spiritual needs are met through these acts of kindness. If nothing else, volunteering gives people a way to make connections and become involved in a community while also giving back to others and developing personal character.
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Reach out to a club or off-campus organization that you find interesting. You never know what you will get out of the time that you put in!
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