I’m an aspiring engineering major, and while most of my ECs center around that, I’ve volunteered at the library for 120+ hours over the past year. I swear it’s not application padding. I really love reading, going to book fairs, etc. but that’s all free time stuff, so will look weird to have one English-related extracurricular among all my STEM ones? Should I involve myself in more like that?
Who wouldn’t like an engineer who does volunteer work and loves books? The notion that every EC has to revolve around your potential future major (or even your future career when you are in college) is ridiculous. Keep doing ALL the things you love – you are not one dimensional and there is no reason your ECs should be.
I would rec @happy1’s comment 1,000 times if I could. I am the proud parent of 2 STEM kids with engineering degrees - and neither did any STEM ECs in HS. Their ECs were selected by them, and comprised of things they liked, things were interested in and things wanted to do. So, if the library is it for you - have fun and enjoy!
I know of a super smart young lady who began volunteering at her library in high school and eventually got hired to work there part time. She is now a CS major at UIUC and spent her summer interning for Microsoft.
My DD is also a CS hopeful who volunteers on our library’s Tech Team.
If that is where your passion and interest is, go for it!!
I think it is better if you have a variety of ECs!
Thank you to everyone who replied! I appreciate the support!