Volunteer activities can boost confidence, resume
by Karen Prunes
UHCLIDIAN STAFF

The spring semester is almost over and students may find themselves looking for something different to do this summer. Finding a summer volunteer opportunity may be the answer.

Not only can volunteer experience enrich the lives of those less fortunate, the experience can also enrich a resume, particularly when applying to graduate school.

According to Robbie Leaver, executive recruiter and partner with the Tricom Group, some universities look for individuals who have had a balance in their lives between studies, charitable activities or social contributions.

Volunteer activities also give a boost to scholarship applications. Volunteer activities on applications are weighted equally with other involvements, said Steve Sutton, associate dean of students and interim director of financial aid.

"We consider volunteer activities a leadership involvement, and all leadership involvements are considered," Sutton said. While UH-Clear Lake currently does not have a resource center for locating volunteer activities, the university hopes this will soon change.

"With the hiring of our new leadership institute coordinator, who will report to David Rachita, assistant dean for student life, we are hoping to better establish volunteer opportunities to enhance our other leadership development programs," Sutton said.

Often people will volunteer for one small project and find the experience so enjoyable that volunteering becomes a way of life. United Way agencies have short and long-term opportunities available for interested students.

The Volunteer Houston organization has a comprehensive Web site available for volunteers to select activities according to their interests and times available. To see everything available in the area go to www.volunteerhouston.org.

Students who enjoy the outdoors may be interested in working with Habitat for Humanity. The organization builds homes for lower income families. Anyone can contribute his or her skills to the group. For more information visit the Web site at www.houstonhabitat.org.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department needs short and long-term volunteers. According to Community Services Program Director Kevin Good, volunteers are needed year-round. The activity a volunteer is assigned depends upon the person's interests.

"We have volunteers doing trail maintenance, living history, and education programs," said Good. "The best way to find out how you can contribute would be to contact a park directly and see what is going on at that location."

To find out about specific parks and where they are located, visit the department's Web site at www.tpwd.state.tx.us.

Local hospitals can always use volunteers. Opportunities at hospitals range from holding and nurturing newborns, greeting visitors and cheering lonely patients.

Some, such as M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, ask volunteers to commit to specific terms of service. However, there are limited numbers of summer positions available for college students. Students must be able to commit to June, July and most of August.

According to Mia Ruiz of M.D. Anderson's Volunteer Services, all prospective volunteers must attend an orientation session in which the various volunteer programs and positions available are discussed. Working with critically and terminally ill patients may require additional training.

"We also discuss some of the aspects involved in working with cancer patients," said Ruiz. "Then, if you feel it is something you would be interested in doing, you set up a one-on-one interview with the recruitment coordinator, and she will place you in an area that interests you and corresponds with when you are available to come in and volunteer." Ruiz can be contacted at 713-792-7180 to sign up for a session.

Students can find volunteer opportunities available in almost every area of interest from visiting with senior citizens, hospitalized adults and children to building, gardening and working with animals.