As college application season is already here and slowly approaching for freshman, sophomores, and juniors, many teens struggle with “beefing up” their resume and college applications and have no clue where to begin. But, one simple way is through volunteering and as how NYC is a huge and diverse city, it also has a plethora of volunteering opportunities.
But why is volunteering such a crucial activity for high school students?
Through volunteering students can not only gain hands on experience, experiences that colleges and hiring businesses look for, but also gain and cultivate leadership and mentoring skills, responsibility, time management skills, confidence, communication skills, etc. Not only are all these skills ones that college admission officers look for, but they’re ones that can help students find their passion and cultivate their identity through bringing meaning in life from serving the community and having a sense of belonging.
“Volunteering helps to give you an idea of what it’s like to help others and get that satisfaction feeling but when applying to scholarships, 9 out of 10 times scholarships want students who have done volunteering work. So a lot of those scholarships will have eligibility or they’ll ask for your grade but all of them will want a student who’s done volunteer work. ” Mrs. Mazzola, one of Dewey’s college advisors said. “It’s also a question on the college application so it makes you look more well rounded… and colleges like to see someone who’s getting involved and giving your time to help others.”
How and where can students get involved?
Speaking from experience, as a veteran volunteer at the Brooklyn Book Bodega, a nonprofit organization that’s mission is to increase the number of 100+ book homes for kids 0-18 in NYC for free, volunteering has brought me a passion of nurturing the literacy community throughout the city, a passion that I’d otherwise not have if not for exploring and wanting to build a unique college application and resume.
Since its founding in 2018, the Brooklyn Book Bodega (BBB) has helped more than 100,000 people and have given out more than 350,000 books regardless of financial status, religious, ethnic, or racial background. Volunteers here count, sort, and stamp books as well as pack book orders for schools, organizations, festivals, councilmen, etc. Taking this opportunity is an amazing approach to building a resume, make friends and network, and stand out from fellow peers by showing college admission officers that you aren’t just a student with above average stats, just a number, but someone with a unique personality who’s made a meaningful impact on the community.
“You get to have a lot of different experiences and meet a lot of different people and because you’re working with books, it’s really helpful for conversation starters if you wanna meet new people or chat with people that are around…” Cecilia Golombek, BBB’s volunteer and program coordinator, said,”I think it’s important that teens and youth volunteer with us because we’re about youth. Youth should be involved in building and making the organization run because it’s for you then you should have a voice in that.”
Other volunteering opportunities can be found on newyorkcares.org. The organization works with “over 400 nonprofits, schools, and government agencies at locations around NYC” and has “filled more than 67,000 volunteer positions throughout the city in 2022. There you can find opportunities to feed your community at soup kitchens, work with children, do garden keeping, tutor, and even “provide therapeutic horse lessons”! All it takes to get started is a simple google search, select your borough, availability, and what type of volunteering you’d like to do and just sign up!
All teens should strike at the opportunity to cultivate their identity, passions, and connection to their community while also demonstrating said cultivation’s to college admission officers to receive admission into their dream colleges. You are the future so make it a good one!
