The first step of the Community Service Project was, of course, selecting an organization for which to volunteer. This could have been a very difficult and time consuming process since there are so many great organizations out there. Fortunately, one day during Freshman Seminar we went to the library and discussed with one of the librarians two different websites we could use to research organizations. We found our organization, The Pajama Program, on Idealist.org, one of the two websites discussed. The library significantly simplified the choosing process, and I realized just how useful a resource the library is. Since then, I have used the library multiple times for research. I have especially utilized the Newman online database. This is a great resource because it contains many scholarly journal articles that are good to use for research essays.
While I have not joined a club, I have been to presentations made by a few of them, including the Actuarial Science club and the Baruch Hillel. By going to multiple club meetings I get to really figure out what appeals to me and what clubs I might want to get involved in during my time at Baruch. Although I did not join a club this semester I will definitely join one next semester.
Like I mentioned in my previous journal entry, when I was in elementary school I always viewed volunteering as a responsibility rather than an opportunity. Although my views on the subject had already changed by the time I was in high school, the Community Service Project reaffirmed for me how important and rewarding it is to give back to the less fortunate. It has encouraged me to continue volunteering in the future, even after my requirement is complete.
Although I am not sure where specifically I will be three years from now, the tools I have acquired and the valuable lessons I have learned during my first semester at Baruch give me confidence that it will be a good, successful place.