I am a sophomore and have been volunteering at my local library for half a year now. I genuinely enjoy working at the library, as I have met some amazing people there and love the work. However, I want to do something in the field of neuroscience, and so my parents are telling me to volunteer for an organization about ten miles from where I live that features programs that focus on cognitive science for young children, such as behavioral therapy. While the latter opportunity is more in line with what I want to pursue, and the cause is wonderful, I don’t want to cut ties with the library. My original plan was to volunteer at the library over the two summers I have left as well as the two school years, but I may have to change over to the neuroscience organization. Is this a good idea? My biggest worry is that not only will I create a bad impression on the librarians, with whom I’ve established a pretty good relationship, but that I will also not have a volunteer opportunity that I sticked to. I guess half a year does not make much of a difference, but I don’t want to let go of all I’ve done during that time. Sorry if I sound extremely whiny and as though I’m making a big deal out of nothing, but this problem has genuinely worried me.
Is it impossible to do some of both? You don’t say how often you volunteer at the library. If you cut it back to once or twice a week, that’s not that big of a time commitment.
I volunteer once a week for two hours, as well as three/four hours a month here and there for weekend activities. I guess I could try to fit in both, but I’m balancing a lot of things at the moment, and it’s not going to be any easier for me junior year.
It does sound like it would be better for you to pick one. Unless maybe you could keep the “here and there” weekend activities and stop the weekly sessions? Or perhaps you don’t have to switch just yet – you could change over in another six months, or something?
In any case, the librarians will understand that you can’t stick around forever. If you do decide to switch volunteering activities, maybe you could do something nice for them on your last day (bring in a cake, leave a heartfelt card, I dunno).
I think I will try to balance both - maybe cut out the weekly sessions, as you said, once I begin volunteering at the other program - and if my schedule gets too hectic, I’ll focus more on the neuroscience organization. Thanks for the advice!