How to get the most out of your service experience

Mentors and mentees develop special bonds through Fresno READS.

Community service-learning provides a great opportunity to enhance your educational, personal, and professional development. Like any opportunity it is up to you to make the most of this experience. It is up to you to choose the service placement that best matches your goals and interests. It is also up to you to put forth your best effort. Below are guides that may help you find and complete a service activity that provides you with the most meaningful experience possible.

• Explore several different opportunities before choosing a service site. With over 700 nonprofit agencies in Fresno alone, your options are incredibly numerous. Don’t necessarily do the same service you have always done. Try something new! Check out http://www.volunteerfresno.org for information on dozens of nonprofits and hundreds of volunteer opportunities.
  
• Find a service opportunity that relates to your academic major and/or career goals. Volunteering is a great opportunity to understand how the theory you learn in the classroom applies to problems in the community and in the work environment. It is also an excellent opportunity to explore new careers, build your resume, and to develop your network of professional contacts.
• Look for a service opportunity that addresses an issue that you are personally concerned about. Are you concerned about the environment, at-risk youth, crime/violence, the elderly, the poor, disadvantaged communities, education, health or any other societal issues? Use your service hours as a way to become involved in an issue that you personally care about.
• Treat this opportunity like you would an important job. Just because it is a volunteer job does not mean your obligations are decreased. Your obligation to the agency and the needs of the people served make this an extremely important commitment. Perform your work to the best of your abilities! If you perform your work poorly it will negatively reflect on you and the university. On the other hand, if you do well in your volunteer work, it may be a springboard to future opportunities, including references, job referrals, part-time work or full-time career opportunities.
• Regularly discuss your volunteer work assignment(s) with your supervisor. If you wish to be involved in specific activities or projects at your agency, don't hesitate to ask. If your service work is not what you envisioned, talk to your supervisor. Many times they will be willingly get you involved in new projects if they know you are interested. You are also encouraged to carefully read the "Community Service-Learning Student Rights and Responsibilities"
  

For more information, email Chris Fiorentino