Michele Rosati

This community service project has taught my group and I valuable lessons for my future at and beyond Baruch. At first, it was hard to secure an organization to work with. Through the Starr career center and social media sites such as Linked In, we discovered various organizations that appeared to be in need of volunteers; however, getting in touch with a representative was difficult at first. It was clear to my group that if we were going to find a charity, we needed to take the initiative and make a persistent commitment in coordinating a volunteer effort. This brought us to Meals on Wheels where we finally got in contact with a representative that was willing to make us apart of their team. The community service project forced us to go out of our comfort zone and deal professionally with our prospect. Personally, the project not only showed us the importance of seizing and opportunity, but more importantly the possibility of creating an opportunity and making it happen yourself. This challenge in our project only prepared us for the skills we will need to implement as our years at Baruch continue. A professional attitude is key, but also motivation, confidence and other communication skills are vital components to success. Unfortunately, I have no yet joined a job because I was trying to adjust to the school for my first semester. It seemed that I was waiting for the right club to just fall into my lap; however, it is clear that I need to go out and inquire about different clubs in order to find my nitch in the Baruch community. This community service project has emphasized volunteering as something far more valuable than anticipated. It is no longer a burden or just a requirement to check off in order to graduation. Volunteering is a learning experience that can help us grow on a personal and occupational level. It is clear that the work one does when they volunteer has a positive emotional impact on both the receiving and giving party. In the next 3 years, I hope to continue working with charities close to my heart, including but not limited to The Alzheimer’s Association. Finding time to balance charity volunteer hours with my demanding academic and occupational responsibilities will be a challenge, but I hope to stay motivated to help grow the community.

Serving in the community is not just a good thing to do, but also a necessary thing to partake in. As a Baruch student As a person, it is important to be a part of and give back to the community. Honors students have been given this amazing opportunity to grow and thrive in a new environment, and it is our duty to give the less fortunate an opportunity to grow as well. Students should not see a chance to help as an obligation, but as a good deed. Community service should never be a burden, but a way of life. It is a way to give back to those who really need it while also discovering things about yourself that you never knew! Giving to charity produces an overwhelming feeling of good to the philanthropist. Baruch honors students are given the resources to hone their skills and abilities. Why should they only be used to benefit oneself? These talents and skills we have learned throughout our lives should be applied to the real world to do things that matter. Promoting charities and raising money for organization are ways to help present and future generations. The privileged should never take their fortunate circumstances for granted by always looking to help others. Even if you yourself can not afford to donate money, dedicating your time and offering compassion can change the life of the person you are helping. It is human nature to be selfish, but to redefine our nature as selfless beings is truly admirable.

The dreaded question: Who am I? You’d think after all of those college admittance essays I would’ve coined the perfect two-sentence description of myself already, but I don’t think my eighteen years of experience can be summed up in just a few lines (or maybe its just a good excuse for my writers block). This introduction is going to be a little trickier than anticipated.

Born and raised in a suburban neighborhood in Brooklyn, I jumped at the chance to go to the city whenever I could. Although one may not know everyone else’s business, my town was still ordinary. The same routine day after day, I craved the excitement of the city and I was drawn to the city lights like a mosquito. The fast-paced, “time is money” type of lifestyle intrigued me. In New York City you’re able to be whoever you want to be without the fear of people judging you. There are far more important things here than not matching your shoes to your outfit. Luckily, I actually have the opportunity to be whoever I want to be and study (for free!) at Baruch College in a beautiful NYC area.

Who I will become in the future is yet to be determined; however, I owe who I am today to my grandfather. A few years ago, my grandfather fell victim to Alzheimer’s. I watched the wisest, most intelligent man I’ve ever known slowly lose all of his faculties. Accepting that my only grandfather would slowly forget my existence was a tragedy in itself; however, the real burden came when I realized he would eventually forget the events in his life that defined him. Every frivolous argument, warm embrace and tear that has ever streamed down his cheek would be erased from his memory; gone forever. As I was saying what turned out to be my final goodbye, I can’t say I experienced an epiphany, but it definitely was a transformative moment. I’ve realized how fragile life really is. Instead of rushing around dwelling on past inadequacies or future problems, Alzheimers taught me to step away from the pressures of society and appreciate the splendor of the moment. What was once just another disease has transformed the way I perceive my surroundings and has endowed me with a new appreciation for life.

Coming into this new experience is definitely a huge transition, but I intend to make these years of my life count. Accepting change is difficult and there are times where I just want to rewind back to my childhood and stay there, but this isn’t Neverland and I’m no Peter Pan. Change is gradual and fearing the future is natural, but Baruch enables me to be in control of my future and grow as an academic and a person. What I do with these resources is up to me. The juggling may be a struggle, but I do expect a lot of myself and I will keep myself motivated.  In my upcoming years here at the college I intend to break the commuter-college curse. I will try to get myself involved as much as I can while maintaining my grades and building life-long friendships. Here’s to the future and the freshman college rollercoaster ride!

Life is full of self-defining moments. Most are bittersweet.

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