How to get the most out of your service experience
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
 Return
to SCS Menu
|
