You’ve probably heard this many times before from your parents, friends, role models and adults in your life to volunteer, join a club, or get involve in your communities. Today colleges, scholarship committees and employers look at your extra-curricular involvement before considering if they will accept your application.
Besides the fact that it “looks good” on your resume, getting involved is important for several reasons. Such as, personal development, enhancing educational and career opportunities learn socializing skills and becoming a well-rounded human being.
Personal Development
Getting involved—participating in extracurricular activities or donating your time to your community—is one of the best ways to learn about yourself and society at large. When you get involved, all the things you do- whether it is tutoring, fundraising, playing in a sport team, delivering a speech, writing an article, or shelving books—helps you discover your passions, strengths and weaknesses. Along the way you’ll uncover many hidden skills and talents too. Whatever it is that you choose to do, your experience will help you to develop a stronger sense of self and direction. It’ll help you answer those mind-boggling questions like: where do I see myself in the next ten years? What are my goals? And of course, what am I going to do after college?
Enhance Educational and Career Opportunities
Getting involved is a great way not only to learn about yourself but also to learn more about different communities, society and social issues, government, and the world. The knowledge and skills you gain from your involvement can be used to enhance your educational and career opportunities. Take for example that you’re really into science. You’ve taken all the biology classes offered at your school and think you want to go into nursing but you’re a little unsure. You can volunteer at a hospital or a nursing home to see if that’s really something you want to do. The best thing about getting involved is that there are a variety of choices. Thus, getting involved is a great way to explore educational and career possibilities. Another way participating in an activity enhances your opportunities is the relationships that you build. From being on the swimming team to being in Girl Scouts, you get the chance to meet many people. The relationships you build can open doors for you in the future. The professionals you come in contact with will gladly write your letters of recommendation for college, scholarships, refer you for a job or offer you advice and resources.
Positive Development: A Well-rounded Human Being
Last of all, studies show that adolescents who are involved are more likely to become people their families and community can be proud of. They are more likely to do well in high school and continue on into college. Therefore, more likely to become active in their communities, have better jobs, in stable personal relationships and happy with their lives. Think about this: the future is in your hands. When you decide to get involve, you have the ability to change someone’s life and your own at the same time. You may think you’re just one person but to another person, you are the world.
Barriers and Solutions
Now you know getting involved is so good for you but you still don’t do it. What’s getting in your way? Are you too cool? Maybe sports and clubs in school aren’t just for you. Or maybe you’re just really scared. Whatever your reason is, here are some ways to work around that barrier.
#1: Your parents don’t understand
For some Hmong parents, the idea of staying after school for a yearbook meeting or attending weekly meetings at a local organization on leadership development is a brand new idea, something they’ve never heard of before. So for some teens, getting your parents to understand that you’re really trying to do something useful instead of just wasting time is hard. If this is your situation, be patient. Try to explain as clearly and respectfully as possible to your parents that you are doing something good. Explain to them the mission and goals of the program, invite them to a gathering with you, and set up a meeting with the program coordinator and your parents. The more they are connected to your life, the less they are worried about you. And continue to keep them posted on what you’re doing.
Once you show that you’re doing positive things (by giving them a copy of that yearbook or inviting them to the program graduation ceremony) they’ll get it and continue to support you.
#2: Transportation
The major reason why teens don’t get involved is because they don’t drive so they can’t get to the event in the first place or their parents are working and can’t drop them off. Possible solutions include finding a buddy who is also involved in that activity or program and catching a ride with them. You could talk to the person in charge of that activity and tell them you’re really passionate about it but have a transportation issue. In most cases, they’d be happy to pick you up or find a ride for you. Or plan your schedule accordingly. If you’re mom shops near an organization you volunteer for, have her drop you off there. Timing is everything.
#3: No time. You have other commitments.
On average, a Hmong high school student has to balance school, homework, family responsibilities and a job. With the schedule that you have how can you possibly find the time to participate in school and outside of school programs? If you want to volunteer, most organizations understand that you are donating your time so they’re very flexibly. You can volunteer as little as two hours a week, every other week or if you really don’t have time, you can volunteer at random events that fit your schedule. If you want to get involved at school but don’t have the time, choose an activity that isn’t time consuming.
#4: I’m way too cool, besides there’s nothing interesting.
Hey, getting involved is not only for smart, good-two-shoes people. It is for everyone. Anyone can get involved. There are LOTS of opportunities out there. If you’re not into what the “nerds” are doing, find your own opportunity. You can be a summer camp coach or a tutor for a student struggling with his guitar lessons. Heck, you could start your own manga club! You can still be involved and be cool.
Besides exploring other things is a good thing. You might just discover that you have hidden talents you never knew before.
#5: You’re shy or just don’t know where to start
Don’t be shy! Try talking to people you know who volunteer. If you have friends who are involved, tag along once or twice and ask them questions. Once you get familiar with how it works, you won’t be shy anymore. By being familiar with unfamiliar surroundings, you’ll become more comfortable.
Or if you’re shy in the way that you want to volunteer but you don’t want to do the “dealing with people” type of jobs, there are lots of opportunities around where you work on your own. You can volunteer at a library by putting books, picking up trash, etc. The possibilities are endless.
How to get started
Now you absolutely have no excuses to get involved! There is so many ways you can make a difference! Just try once. Here’s how to get started.
First, think about what you like to do. What are your interests? Do you like pets? Do you like working with younger kids? What do you want to do? Always keep in mind that you can kill two birds with one stone when getting involved. I mean, if you want to become a journalist or a designer and really passionate about reaching out to other teens, volunteer for HmoobTeen!
Next, start searching for those opportunities. Try talking to any knowledgeable person, a teacher or a counselor. Or you could do an internet search. The websites below are great places to start!
Last, go MAD (Make a Difference)! Get involved and see what difference it makes to you. Below are some websites where you can start!
www. volunteermatch.org
www.redcross.org/donate/volunteer/
www.1-800volunteer.org
“Getting involved in my community has impacted me a lot! It’s one of the most inspiring and motivational things that changed my life. It has shown me that I can make a difference in the world.”
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References:
“Why Volunteer?” (2008) Lifespan. Retrieved from http://lifespan.org/services/volunteer/why.htm on 12 January 2009.
Youth Community Connections. Retrieved from
www.youthcommunityconnections.org during the month of January 2009.
Published in the spring 2009 issue of HmoobTeen Magazine. Go to www.hmong.org for more information about HmoobTeen or to obtain a copy.
