No More Classes, No More Books. Now What?

You’ve said goodbye to your friends until September, packed up your dorm room, returned your textbooks, disposed of whatever kind of bacteria you were harvesting in your mini-fridge and settled in for a comfortable summer at home. Free food, air conditioning and not a 9 a.m. lecture in sight – sheer bliss.

So now what? Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for some well-deserved rest and relaxation but there really is only so much Snooki one person can, and should, take.

Maybe you had visions of a fabulous summer internship at a hip design house in New York or maybe shadowing a writer at ESPN. But with the job market being what it is, instead, you’re back in your hometown filing papers at your uncle’s business, caddying or babysitting for your neighbor’s kids. All noble choices, for sure, but if you’re searching for something else to occupy your time, why not consider a volunteer gig where you can capitalize on your talents and make a difference?

There are hundreds of opportunities here in southwestern Connecticut just waiting to be snapped up and nonprofits and community organizations will welcome energetic, dedicated volunteers with open arms. It's not too late to get involved for the summer. If you find the right volunteer opportunity, you truly can make a significant difference and gain an incredible sense of accomplishment while learning about a new field and getting valuable hands-on experience. 

Let’s face it, in this climate every little bit helps. Unfortunately, even for your peers with a diploma, things aren’t that easy. Consulting and research firm TwentySomething Inc. recently unveiled a study indicating a not-so-rosy employment picture for recent grads. The study shows an astounding 85% of 2011 college graduates will be moving home with the folks thanks to extraordinary amounts of college debt coupled with a less-than-friendly jobs market. In fact, a recent article in Time cites some reports that put unemployment rates for the under 25 set around 54%. Let that stat settle in for a second. It definitely took me a few reads to grasp the gravity of that number. 

So to get you started, here's a small sample of what’s out there. For you art majors, the Y in Greenwich is looking for painters, designers and photographers to help spruce up the main building and the childcare facility. In Norwalk, the Family & Children’s Agency needs volunteers to visit with an older adult who needs some companionship. Days and times are flexible and the time commitment is more than doable. 

This really is just a small sample of what’s out there. It’s up to you to find the right fit and go for it.

To see how you can get involved with any of these opportunities and to check out the other needs in our area, just go to VolunteerSquare.com. While you're on the website, be sure to sign up and become a member of VolunteerSquare.com for access to other volunteering opportunities.