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Volunteers reign
By Diana Matusewic
Students wondering whether volunteer hours are necessary for graduation need wonder no longer.
Volunteer hours are not a requirement for graduation, but according to Andy Ditlevson, career services associate director, there are definite advantages for students who have done some volunteer work in college.
"One, it's a way to gain career related experience," Ditlevson said. "Which, after the degree, is the number one thing employers look for."
Volunteer work, Ditlevson said, demonstrates initiative and motivation that future empoyers may recognize.
"It might be an opportunity for a student to demonstrate leadership skills sought by employers," Ditlevson said. "You are also building your network especially if your job is related to your major."
Turning volunteer work into an internship is another possibility for other students.
One organization that offers internships as well as volunteer work is St. Cloud's Boys and Girls Club.
"We can transfer (students) from a volunteer to an intern," said Christine Kustelski, director of the Southside unit.
"The Boys and Girls Club is an after school club for children, K-12, mainly low income," Kustelski said.
Education, health and life skills, arts, sports, fitness and recreation are some categories of work offered to student volunteers.
"We try to find something that works for both their major and what we're offering at that time," Kustelski said.
Other student volunteer opportunities can be found in Atwood. The Volunteer Link offers more information on a variety of other organizations. There's a wall of information that includes different agencies students can contact. There is also a sign-up sheet for the Volunteer Link Bulletin (weekly newsletter sent via the email with a list of service projects).
Volunteer Link Coordinator, Lissa Staples is also available to help students find the type of work best suited for their interests.
"They can come and visit me in volunteer link and I'll talk to them and match them up with an agency that fits," Staples said.
According to Staples, the main focus of Volunteer Link is to organize volunteer opportunities for SCSU students, faculty and staff.
"We serve as a clearing house of information," Staples said.
Staples also recommend other organizations for students to look into.
"The Paramount Arts District is right down town and they have a need for volunteers who can do marketing and people who can serve as visual arts assistant," Staples said. "The Tri-County Human Society needs help with weekend pet adoptions, as well as daily help, and MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) needs help with impact panels."
Contact information for the aforementioned organizations is available at Volunteer Link.
Another option for volunteer work is Z-Club, an on campus organization that sends volunteers into the community to help out. Z-Club meets every Wednesday in the Lady Slipper room in Atwood at 4 p.m. The Z-Club has a myriad of volunteer opportunities for members.
"We try to have a variety of activities for people to choose from," said Cara Schultz, Z-Club president.
Next week Z-Club is helping with the homecoming fund run, and the clean-up that follows. They will also be assisting with finger printing for the Jacob Wetterling foundation.
To document volunteer involvement, co-curriculum transcripts are available at the Volunteer Link. There are two different time sheets: one for the individual and one for the organization.
"The idea is to create a professional portfolio that is going to make people more marketable for jobs and graduate school," Staples said.
According to Staples, an additional benefit to volunteering is the break it offers from the stress of college life.
"You can even make new friends, gain new skills and self-confidence and add perspective to your life," Staples said.
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