Summer volunteering

Dreaming of summer...

Now that the days are getting longer and the daffodils are doing their best to poke their heads through the snow, it’s time to start thinking about what you’re going to be doing this summer.  I’m sure you already have a million ideas, but I'd like to add another possibility for your consideration.  How about being a volunteer?

I’m sure you’ve probably heard that volunteering is a good thing to put on your college application, but have you ever considered why?  To be a volunteer, you have to be willing to go beyond your comfort zone and try new things.  You also have to be willing to meet new people, to be flexible, and to take on responsibility.  Being a volunteer isn’t, and shouldn’t be, about getting into college.  It’s about believing in yourself enough to realize that you can make a difference, doing something about it, and having fun in the process.

Once you realize that, the next step is choosing where to volunteer.  To my way of thinking, there’s no better way to discover even more about things you’re interested in than actually experiencing it firsthand.  Volunteering in a place or field that interests you enables you share that interest with others. It’s also a great way to learn about careers you may be considering while helping others.  For example, if you love animals and are considering a career in the health sciences, why not consider volunteering at Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center in Woodinville?  The experiences you have here will last you a lifetime.  Maybe animals aren’t your thing, but you love sports or the arts.  You can check out the volunteer opportunities available through your local Park and Recreation Department.  If you live in Seattle, you can start here: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/teens/default.htm.  If you like the outdoors in general, how about doing habitat restoration with The Nature Consortium?   The possibilities are endless.

Another good way to choose what kind of volunteering to do is to look for a place that will give you the opportunity to experience something new.  Did you know that the Experience Music Project (EMP) is looking for volunteers (rising  seniors and older) for the Jim Henson’s Fantastic World exhibition which is opening in May? You will learn about puppets and get experience operating a video camera and show lighting among other things.

Whatever you choose, try not to wait till the last minute to sign up.  Some volunteer positions, like working at Children’s Hospital, require special training so you need to apply early enough to do that.  Some positions are also more competitive than others, so you may need a little more time to get your application together.

Will volunteering help you get into college?  It might, but most importantly it will help you learn things about yourself and others that you could never learn from a book.