For My Community Service Group Project, I mainly used the librarians as a guide to help with research. When we started the project, I had no idea how to find an organization that we would all enjoy. So thankfully, the librarians showed us different ways to look for them, such as Idealists. Also our peer mentor, Maria, helped us by not only showing us how to give an effective presentation, but also by giving us feedback by watching our mock presentations. That feedback helped my group create a more concise presentation. When it came to the questions, I remembered the information that was on the original slides and thus I was able to answer questions better than I thought I would. Regarding support centers, I think that I used the library the most throughout this project.
When I came to Baruch, I was interested in the different clubs they offered. However, I also work as a Work Study Aide in the Office of the Registrar, so I did not have the chance to join clubs. I originally wanted to do Team Baruch, but because of my job, I could not attend meetings. This term felt like a ‘trial and error’ period, not just with clubs, but also with the way I utilize my time. So for next term, I will probably change my work schedule so I can be more active with extra-curricular activities and hopefully during sophomore year, I will attempted to join Team Baruch.
I think working in a group will always have its advantages because you not only get to interact with other people, but you also improve your team working skills. Many courses require you to work in groups, so developing those skills now would better prepare you in the futures. Also, like I mentioned before, I was able to utilize Baruch resources in order to do my research for this project. This is a skill that is important in other courses. When I came to this school, I did not know so many resources were available to me and these resources will definitely help in other classes.
Regarding my understanding of community service, I would not say it has changed much because I have and still am volunteering. In this case, it is more hands on.
In three years, I hope to still be a Baruch Scholar and finishing my major. I hope I participated in the study abroad program and was active in school life. I want to be more confident in the things I feel I am weak in right now. I do not know what kind of person I will be, but I don’t think much will change if the past in any indication.