“Life’s most urgent question is this: What are you doing for others?” Martin Luther King Jr.

Celebrate National Volunteer Week by making a difference in the life a complete stranger. If you do so, you may discover the paradox of service: usually the person who benefits the most is you. Perhaps your heart is opened to a marginalized and vulnerable population, such as the homeless or elderly. Maybe you let go of a stereotype or realize a personal bias that you have. The career benefits of service are secondary to the personal transformation and fruit that service can produce. But make no mistake, professional benefits exist. Not only will you be able to confirm your major and gain exposure to the work environment, you can also strengthen your network and job skills.

There are three ways for you to learn about service opportunities, particularly in the Sioux Falls area:

  • Connect with USF’s Student Development and Campus Ministries: Located in the McDonald Center, the Student Development and Campus Ministries office routinely receives volunteer opportunities from the Sioux Falls community. They also arrange community projects through organizations such as the Banquet, Sioux Falls School District and prison. A Volunteer Directory is also available through My.USF (a login is required to activate the link).
  • If there is a particular organization in the Sioux Falls area that interests you, simply contact them to inquire about possible opportunities. Many organizations also publish this information on their website.
  • The HelpLine lists other opportunities in Sioux Falls.

If you are interested in national or global opportunities, there are hundreds of search engines out there. The following are a few of my favorites:

So what are you waiting for? Find something that grabs you and get involved.

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