What does it mean to serve your community?

Often it’s said that we cannot get far in life without those who helped us. The scholars program is an example of that and why it’s important to give back. The volunteering aspect of the Baruch honors program is essential in teaching this philosophy, of giving back when you can. I’ve always tried to apply this to my life in volunteering at my old school, and I’m happy to continue this here at Baruch. Volunteering is not only about continuing the flow of good deeds but also learning from others through action. Participating in a soup kitchen can help a student better appreciate his or her life. Programs that aim to teach young kids or other students in lower grade levels reflect the effort and length we’ve put into our education. It also lets us focus on ourselves more by connecting with people on different environments and backgrounds then comparing our lives to theirs. Simply doing something for the community isn’t enough, it’s more than just doing something good because you’re forced to. The Honors requirement allows a lot of flexibility by letting the groups choose where they want to practice. For instance, if you have an interest in helping people that have been affected by something you have experience in the past you can choose to aid. The experiences we have now will come to shape ourselves in the future, it’s imperative that we receive some exposer now to further aid our professional development.