The Community Service Project that I, along with three other classmates, completed was an extremely powerful and positive experience. My group and I decided to volunteer at Xavier Mission which is an organization that provides basic services as well as other opportunities for New Yorkers in need. My colleagues and I volunteered on three Sunday mornings in which we helped with food preparation that would be distributed later in the day, as well as a variety of other jobs, even though we initially signed up to help sort clothing. One of the many things that I learned by volunteering is that regardless of the expectations that you come in with, the point of volunteering is about helping. Therefore, it did not matter that we did not volunteer in the area that we initially thought we would because they needed our help in different areas. It is not always about what you do, rather, just the fact that you are helping others is what is important.
Throughout my first semester at Baruch, I have utilized many support centers such as the writing center, the tutoring center, the library, the fitness center, and the Starr Career Development Center. These support centers helped me with academic and non-academic subjects. Specifically, the writing center and tutoring center have been a big help to my academic success thus far. Additionally, the library is a quiet place where I can concentrate on my work and be surrounded by other students who are learning and working which is motivating to see. The fitness center has also been a great resource, as it is a way for me to clear my mind and get some exercise. I have been to the Starr Career Development Center several times and have gotten invaluable advice such as ways to fix my resume and how to communicate skills and achievements more professionally.
In the next three years, I see myself continuing to take advantage of the many resources at Baruch, while at the same time continuing to be involved in clubs on campus such as the Hillel and TAMID at Baruch.