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College Advisor Mom
by Mary Davis
I addressed the importance of volunteer work and its benefits in last month’s post. We looked at how volunteering can provide you with valuable skills employers are looking for. The most recent poll topic is related to volunteering and asks, “ How do you stay involved in your community?” The clear majority of our respondents, 40%, said that they stay involved through charity work. The remaining three choices were divided evenly and received 20% of the votes. Involvement through professional organizations, your children’s schools and community clubs are also important ways you stay connected to your communities.
The majority response of involvement through charity demonstrates again your philanthropic nature. It’s often important to us, as women, to nurture and give back. Doing charity work connects us to our neighbors and provides a sense of personal satisfaction that we are contributing to others. Spending time at our child’s school lets us witness his or her daily routine and is another way to connect to our children, while also providing a service. It’s very personal. Being involved in professional organization and community clubs fulfills a more personal need of self-growth. These kinds of organization give us time to focus on ourselves and on our personal interests. They also allow us to connect with our peers. Each type of community involvement is beneficial in its own right. Which one is best for you is highly personal and depends on your priorities, as well as on your lifestyle and goals.
When considering which type of community involvement to pursue, it’s important to look at your overall goals. If you wish to improve your chances of obtaining employment in your field, narrow down the type of activity that is most compatible with your field and with your life. For example, a social work major may wish to focus on charity work, as this type of involvement would show compassion and ability to interact well with various populations. A business major may want to join a professional organization as a means of networking and gaining credentials. Someone wishing to just get out of the house and do someone that’s all her own should go for it and join a club that interests her.
No matter what kind of group or activity you choose, getting involved n your community is always a good idea. It will benefit your personally by allowing you to fulfill your own needs as a grown up, and it will help you on the professional front by adding enhanced value to your resume. So don’t be afraid to get out there and get involved!
