When she has time, graduate assistant and student in AmericanHumanics Nidia Logan likes to go to her home town of Earle, Ark.,and volunteer at Girl Power.
"Volunteerism is uncoerced giving of one's time and effort,"Logan said.
Logan said volunteerism is a great way to spend any free timeand an opportunity to participate in something you are passionateabout. At the same time, you are helping make something better.
During the summer, students may choose a paying job over workingas a volunteer, said community services manager at VolunteerMemphis Nancy Thompson. However, she added, students come away fromvolunteer work with an eye-opening experience.
Program director at Hands On Memphis Natalie Jones said summeroffers a chance for a student to become more involved because of aless stringent schedule.
"Many students look for one-time opportunities they can do in aday because it fits in their busy schedule," Thompson said.
With so many different needs of the community, it is best tofind out what you are passionate about and volunteer in that area,said Logan.
"I've always found that students like to do anything that allowsthem to be together while also positively benefiting thecommunity," Jones said.
Many students who choose to do longer-term volunteering oftenchoose to work with children, and there are unlimited opportunitiesto tutor or mentor a child, Thompson said.
"The good thing about volunteering, there is something foreveryone," said Stacy Clifton, public relations major and volunteerat the Woman's Foundation for a Greater Memphis. "There is alwayssomething you can tie into your interest."
Volunteering also has many benefits, almost too many to mention,Thompson said.
"Through volunteering, you can develop existing skills, learnnew skills, meet new people, beef up your resume and determinewhether an activity is something you want to pursue," Thompsonsaid.
It also shows an employer you have heart when you are willing tovolunteer, opposed to getting a paid internship, Clifton said.
"Non-profits are always a good place to get your foot in thedoor, build your resume and fulfill civic duty," Clifton said.
The benefits are multidimensional, Logan said. You try one thingand find something else.
Volunteer work is not hard to find. There are many ways to getinvolved in something that you are interested in this summer.
"Go to any organization, and they will give you work. They arewaiting for people to come," said junior Julia Linnemann, ananthropology major.
Groups like Hands on Memphis and Volunteer Memphis are goodplaces to start in finding volunteer work. Both organizations haveways of directing you to work that fits your interests.
"Students should first think about what issue they're passionateabout," Jones said. "After identifying how they would like to help,calling an agency like Hands On Memphis that works with hundreds ofnon-profits every year can lead to great referrals."
Volunteerism has given Logan and others like her the opportunityto see the different aspects of society and the pieces that worktogether to build a society, Logan said.
She said being a part of Girl Power has given her a chance togive back to a community what it gave her.
Girl Power takes a holistic approach in developing girls intowomen. It turns them into thinkers and doers of society and hashelped to fulfill her, Logan said.
Students who volunteer this summer can expect to be challengedboth physically and mentally. However, it offers a uniqueopportunity to learn and grow by bringing you face to face withissues you have only heard or read about, Jones said.
"I truly believe everyone, if they're able, should give theirtime at some point in their life," Linnemann said.
