Student Volunteerism

Mandatory Student Volunteerism Determination, work ethic, and leadership- three attributes that have the capability to enhance any résumé; however, they may not be easily attainable for all young people. Volunteerism is one way in which young people are able to reach out to help others, their communities, and also serve as an advantage to themselves through experience. Compulsory volunteerism in students serves as a benefit to all those involved. Volunteerism is an act or practice of doing work in benefit to one’s community. 93% of young people want to volunteer (Gregoire). So, why aren’t students more involved in volunteerism? Students want to get involved, but busy schedules due to heavy class loads, sports, and extracurricular activities prevent many from doing so. Schools that require community service give students a chance to help others, without taking away from their academic duties. Studies show that the introduction of mandatory volunteerism in students would likely improve free volunteerism (Gregoire). Students who have been required to complete a community service requirement have been found more likely to freely volunteer in the future (McKee). Compulsory volunteerism has the power to increase free volunteerism. Students that originally deemed themselves unlikely to volunteer found that their intentions were raised after the completion of a mandatory activity. Volunteerism, free or mandatory, serves to better one’s experience, advance one’s résumé, and widen one’s horizons. Not all people believe that mandatory volunteerism serves as a benefit. Some may claim that forced volunteerism leads to fakery (Ramos-Mrosovsky). Mandatory volunteerism is a common and widespread benefit to young people. Although some may fake their service, the vast majority actually complete service that benefits not only themselves, but also helps many others in their communities. Many public high schools, including all of those in Maryland, require students to perform public service in order to graduate (Ezarik). In addition to a student's’ original community service requirement, many students choose to continue their service after their obligation is complete. Moreover, all young people greatly benefit from the many forms of community service Some may also argue that high school students service is more self-serving that beneficial to the community, based upon the number of students who only complete their service only to help themselves (Ramos-Mrosovsky). On the other hand, many young people take away valuable lessons from their service to the community, while still aiding others. Many believe that students who take part in community service projects find advances in their own self-esteem as their work advances them as valuable members of the community. Their work often leads to the development of important life skills such as teamwork and leadership (Ezarik). For example, a young girl named Rachel Doyles lost her maternal grandmother when she was a sophomore in high school. Her grandmother passed due to loneliness and depression that caused her refusal to eat while in a nursing home. Rachel started a non-profit organization called “Glamour Gals” in hopes to prevent more losses like her grandmother. Glamour Gals is a group of young women who reach out to local nursing homes and spend time with the elderly. Their work has shown to be a positive influence on many of the inhabitants of the nursing homes, as well as the young ladies who make it all possible. Though Rachel Doyles started this project as a high school student to fulfill her service obligation, she has continued her organization and helped hundreds of people over the past 6 years (Ezarik). The vast majority of students do not fake service, but they complete their obligation and take away valuable lessons from it. Mandatory volunteerism in students serves to better one’s experience, advance one’s résumé, impress employers, and widen one’s horizons. Volunteerism is a great action that helps anyone to gain experience and assist other members of a community. Service to others is a beneficial act to all of those involved.