Volunteering an option for those with desire
By Tracy Brodrick Special to the Kansan
If Thad Holcombe, campus pastor for Ecumenical Christian Ministries, had his way, everyone would spend a year before college doing volunteer work. The next best thing, of course, would be to do it immediately after college, he said.
Some graduates walking down the hill this spring will be headed to the "real world" of jobs or families, some will be off to graduate or professional school, and some are looking forward to taking a break before doing anything.
Volunteer work may be another option students want to consider at graduation. But if the cliche of the new graduate joining the Peace Corps as a last resort is what comes to mind, think again. Volunteer work could be a way of making the future more clear.
"It's a great way to focus on what you want to do long term," Holcombe said. "It can lead to a re-framing of who you are."
Holcombe said that he felt everyone should spend time in an environment different from what they were accustomed. Volunteering,he said, was a good way to do that.
"Rural to urban, urban to rural — anything to get out of your own perspective," he said.
Thalia Tooke, San Francisco senior, said volunteering could be a good opportunity to learn about another culture as well as being fun.
"Learning doesn't only happen at the university," she said.
Tooke spent the summer of 1993 in Brazil as a volunteer for the Amigos de las Americas program. She made her decision to go partly because of a desire to take her classroom learning and put it to practical use and partly because of a desire to go to Brazil.
Volunteer work can also be a way for graduates to set themselves apart from the rest of the crowd. Tooke said that was another reason she chose to serve as a volunteer.
"Anyone can go to college and get a degree," she said. "You've got to have something that sets you apart."
As a service to the campus, ECM offers information on many volunteer opportunities. Holcombe said information was available for internships and paid and unpaid positions for anywhere in the world.
He also said volunteers could commit for any length of time, from a summer to more than a year.
When beginning to explore volunteer options, Holcombe suggested students start with their religious convictions or with their area of study because often scholarships might be available.
At the center, students start by defining their wants or needs.
Then they move to directories where they can search for an organization by either location or skills needed. There are several directories to choose from, some with opportunities within a certain church and some with international or national organizations. One lists opportunities for physically- or mentally-disabled people to work as volunteers.
Holcombe said students should start looking as early as possible because some programs have application deadlines. He also said some organizations have fairly strict requirements on who they will take, preferring only volunteers with professional experience.
But KU students should not worry if they don't have any professional experience. Holcombe said there were organizations that would use inexperienced volunteers.
Holcombe advised students to be patient in their search for positions and warned that, ultimately, they were going to have to do some research.
"Don't just go by what you see written, though," he said, adding that many organizations are willing and able to work out something suitable to the applicant's needs. Tooke also said calling or writing to organizations for more information is very important in the search for the right program.
Some questions students should ask themselves when selecting a program:
Does the sponsoring organization's religious or political beliefs interfere with my own? The Peace Corps, for example, is an agency of the U.S. government, and if students disagree with certain U.S. policy, they may not wish to serve there.
What kind of time commitment am I prepared to make? Nearly all agencies that send volunteers overseas ask for a long-term commitment. If students aren't prepared for this, they should look for something in the United States to test themselves; they can always make a long-term commitment later.
Can I defer my student loan for the length of my commitment? Some programs, like the Peace Corps, make this possible, but many do not.
Do I need a paid position, or am I able to pay my own way? Some programs will provide a monthly stipend; some will provide only transportation to the location, and some require that students pay for everything themselves.
For example, the Peace Corps is probably the most well-known volunteer program. According to its information, the Peace Corps prefers volunteers with practical experience in such areas as agriculture, engineering, forestry and health, among others. Skilled trades like masonry, plumbing and teaching also are desired.
For those without experience, they have a "generalist" category. Volunteers with liberal-arts or social-work degrees who have experience in handicrafts, home management and various trades fit into this category. However, anyone interested can apply, provided they are at least 18 years old.
Because Peace Corps volunteers are placed overseas for two-year tours, volunteers are required to go through an eight to 12 week training period to study the language and culture of the area where they have been placed. Applications, therefore, should be turned in six to nine months, but no more than 12 months, before the applicant wishes to serve.
Students interested in using the materials at ECM may call 843-4933 for more information.
May 2, 1994 THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN • GRADUATION
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