<p>I'm sick of volunteering at places like hospitals, libraries, fairs, etc. It just seems like volunteering is free labor, and that it doesn't really help make these places better, and ppl who need money could be hired to do these jobs that we're doing for free.......... i think more teens should get a paying job and ditch volunteering.</p>
<p>Hmmm...i totally agree with you, but colleges seem to think that volunteering is a good thing. im still surprised, though, to see seniors graduate with over a thousand hours of volunteering. besides, most students volunteer a lot during high school, then all of a sudden, stop once they get into college because they dont need it anymore. </p>
<p>i think colleges should place less emphasis on volunteering because its all for show anyway. id much rather be working for money and saving up for college.</p>
<p>It would be great if there was the money to hire people, but it is often in short supply</p>
<p>And, contrary to "it is all for show anyway", it is not...my Ds and I did an eyeglass collection drive and helped over 3000 people see better, and because they could see better, they could work, take care of their families and themselves...</p>
<p>Even if the motives aren't the most nobel, the work done can benefit so many...do you really think most kids want to take so many APs because its fun, or maybe just maybe its for show too....</p>
<p>And, even if kids stopped volunteering once they got to college, for a few years and a few hours they did some good service for others.</p>
<p>And, if I was a college, would I want a whole class of of kids who worked at the mall, or a class full of kids that volunteered at hospitals, summer camps. museums, city hall, habitat of humanity, with the homeless, running charity drives and programs...I would want some of both</p>
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do you really think most kids want to take so many APs because its fun, or maybe just maybe its for show too....
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<p>Of course it's for show. Ahhh... the things we do for a badass resume... </p>
<p>I agree with IcicleRoses. We do volunteer just so we can say, "I've done over a million hours of service..." when most of the things we do aren't even that helpful. Props to citygirlsmom on the glasses drive... but I think that sort of thing is rare. I, like many others, would go to a nursing home for Christmas, work in a homeless shelter on Thanksgiving, read at the library on occasion, etc. The list is endless... I ended up with far over 1,000 hours of service by graduation. I feel that we do volunteer for 2 reasons:
1) so we can say that we volunteered
2) because we need "feel good projects" -- a.k.a. we like to feel worthwhile, even if we're really not</p>
<p>My D volunteered at a crises helpline in our area. I think she benefitted as much from the experience as the center did - what an eye-opener.</p>
<p>Colleges are interested in what these experiences have contributed to your growth - not just what you have contributed to others. If your volunteer work isn't teaching you anything, find something else.</p>
<p>when i go volunteer at the hospital, they usually make us file charts, pull charts, make charts, everything to do with the charts, and to be honest, I don't get anything out of it, and feel like a slave.</p>
<p>honestly, yes, volunteering can help out ppl, but the majority of places where kids volunteer (im not speaking about those stand-outs who create collection drives and stuff), we just file, answer phones, and do the mundane things that the staff doesnt want to do.</p>
<p>yes, the AP's are for show, but at least we learn something out of it and we can potentially receive credit for it in college.</p>
<p>Keep your eyes open for something that would interest you. My son has volunteered at special olympics, beach clean-ups and restorations of historic sites. Look around your community and see what other options you have. If you "feel like a slave" I doubt that you're benefiting anyone.</p>
<p>"'m sick of volunteering at places like hospitals, libraries, fairs, etc. It just seems like volunteering is free labor, and that it doesn't really help make these places better, "</p>
<p>It matters what kind of volunteering your're doing. It's important to do volunteer work for an organization or a purpose that you believe in. </p>
<p>For instance, there are many nonprofit agencies that serve major needs by lack a lot of funds so can't hire more staff. If such an agency serves a need that is in your interest, you could volunteer there, enjoy it, and also see that you're providing something that wouldn't get done without your help.</p>
<p>Similarly, there are lots of kids who need mentors, other people who need help, causes that need contributions, problems that people need info on how to solve. Since there's not money available to hire people to do this, the best way to address these concerns is through volunteering.</p>
<p>It's very possible to work a job for money and to also do volunteer work. Heck, you have more time than do many adults who are raising kids, working a job and helping with older relatives -- yet still volunteer. Why? Because volunteering for a cause that one believes in not only feels good but also is IMO the way to pay one's rent for space on the earth. </p>
<p>Life isn't all about getting into college. The world doesn't revolve around any of our personal needs.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, you don't have to volunteer to get into college, including top ones. It's hard, though, for me to imagine that there would be absolutely no causes or people for whom a student wouldn't happily volunteer their time to assist.</p>
<p>it's hard to find places to volunteer at where i live- and then you have to go through a long process when you have to get several recommendations, interview, etc. and it takes the whole summer practically just to get it set up.</p>
<p>Hard to fine volunteer work in Michigan? Really? I find that surprising.</p>
<p>You can volunteer by not going through an official program. For instance, if there's a cause that you'd like to raise money for, you can raise money on your own.</p>
<p>For instance, the elementary school kids down the street do a monthly lemonaid and cookie sale in our neighborhood and then donate their proceeds to the American Cancer Society.</p>
<p>S co-organized a fundraising project at his school and donated the proceeds to Tsunami relief.</p>
<p>If you care about politics, you could get active with a political party or PAC. There's lots that you could do. For instance, this weekened Move-on PAC (a political action group that has mainly liberal Democrats) has asked people to organize movie nights in which they invite people to their homes, watch a movie about activism and then strategize to block efforts to get an ultra conservative to replace Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court.</p>
<p>Participating in this is open to anyone. </p>
<p>To find or create opportunities, though, the first thing you need to do is think about what issues or concerns you're interested in. Then you need to create opportunities for yourself to volunteer in those areas or you need to find and contact people who could use your help.</p>
<p>As for this comment by funnyfunkybunny: "because we need "feel good projects" -- a.k.a. we like to feel worthwhile, even if we're really not":
If I find that my volunteer work is a waste of time, I don't feel good. I find some place else to volunteer with -- a place where my efforts do make a difference. There really are plenty of places that are glad to have volunteers and that also use volunteers to make a big difference.</p>
<p>i called the library and emailed them a few times, i got no response. i called and emailed the volunteer coordinator in my township several times, no response. i'm angry and i'm giving up. i cant drive to detroit everyday to volunteer at the homeless shelters there- too dangerous.</p>
<p>One last thing: When it comes to what impresses colleges, employers etc. about volunteer work -- it's not the actual hours that impresses the top colleges, it's what you did to make a difference or how the volunteer work changed you for the better.</p>
<p>If you started a program, developed a new perspective on life, decided on a major or career, helped change someone's life, developed new skills -- all of these are things that impress colleges and future employers.</p>
<p>A person who has volunteered a lot of hours but has made no impact or developed no insights is not impressive.</p>
<p>I like the idea of volunteering, but every hour I'm working for free is an hour that I'm not earning money that I really need. Besides, I'm not allowed to volunteer at most of the places in town.</p>
<p>You're sick of volunteering because you volunteer at places where you don't really want to be. That's why I don't volunteer at every hospital, old folks home, school, etc. that has a position- because I know it would be boring as hell and a waste of my and their time. So I suggest you chose interesting positions that you actually have some enthusiasm to do. For example, I take calls at suicide/depression hotline because I like talking to people and making them feel better.</p>
<p>I volunteer for Atlanta Animal Rescue organizations. Just do things that you enjoy.</p>