Barnard College, situated in the Morningside Heights area of Manhattan, provides an ideal setting for students interested in doing community service. Many opportunities are available to help a variety of communities through tutoring, providing food or companionship, or assisting in health care facilities. Career Development has resources to assist students in finding the particular service project that meets their interest. Some of these resources are as follows:

> Why Serve?
> How can I be a good volunteer?
> How do you find an off-or on-campus service opportunity?
> Community Impact
> Federal Work Study and Related Positions
> Career Fairs

Barnard College firmly believes that part of any liberal arts education is the goal of contributing to one’s community in meaningful ways.  Through community service, you can use your education to make positive contributions to your community, expose yourself to the complexity of social problems and community assets, and begin learning to create innovative solutions to complex problems.  In addition, there are a host of other reasons to serve:

• Meet new people.
• Interact with those who share your interests and passions.
• Network in a field.
• Develop new skills and talents for your resume.
• Learn about career possibilities
• Complement your academic work.
  

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While organizational cultures will differ from agency to agency, here are some common tips on how to succeed as a volunteer:

• Be a good ambassador. You are representing Barnard and college students everywhere.

• Be courteous and respectful.

• Be punctual and reliable. Respect everyone’s time.

• Ask questions – if you don’t know, you should find out!

• Think about the big picture.  Tasks you are doing often seem mundane.  If you feel bored or not utilized, talk with your site coordinator about how your task fits into the organization’s overall mission. By demonstrating your willingness to contribute, you will show you are ready for greater responsibility.

• Discuss your new insights with your friends and in class discussions.  Begin to make links between academic theories and community practice and recruit!

• Set a good example for clients and other volunteers by following agency policies.

• Keep confidential information confidential.

• Address any problems with your supervisor right away and contact Career Development if you have problems.

• Carry out all assignments to the best of your ability.

• You may be asked to go undergo a background check. This is common practice for agencies dealing with children, battered women, etc.

• Become an advocate for the organization!

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Before you begin looking for a site for community service, take a moment for introspection and think about the issues or causes that you care deeply about or that you feel particularly passionate about. Which ones are you motivated to do something about?  Once you have identified those, think about the skills that you have to offer – where might they be the most utilized?   What skills would you like to use?

1. To receive frequent updates on service opportunities that have been made available to Barnard students, log onto our eRecruiting database and fill out your profile.  Make sure to check “community service or volunteer” under career preferences, preferred job function to receive emails. 

2. Try searching the eRecruiting database for not-for-profit agencies that are looking for interns or volunteers.

3. Check out any number of online volunteer databases like www.volunteermatch.org, the New York City Mayor’s Volunteer Center and www.idealist.org.

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Community Impact is a university office which links students with 25 community service projects. It is located in 204 Earl Hall on the Columbia campus. Close to 1000 students volunteer through this program.

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Students who receive a Federal Work Study award as part of their financial aid package may choose from numerous service-related openings. Positions are typically available in schools and after-school programs, hospitals, advocacy organizations and other not-for-profit agencies including the East Harlem Village Academy, Human Rights Watch, Star Learning Center after-school program, Reach Out and Read, and Women Make Movies.

In Fall 1997, Barnard College joined the America Reads Challenge, a nationwide effort sponsored by President Clinton and the U.S. Department of Education to help elementary school children learn how to read. Barnard partnered with a neighborhood coalition group, four local schools and six after-school programs to create reading tutor positions for 45 Federal Work Study recipients. For more information about this special initiative, please contact Geri Perret, Associate Director, by e-mail or by phone, at 212-854-7748.

Students who receive a Federal Work Study award may also work in New York City agencies, as part of the Public Service Corps. Applications are available at the OCD Front Desk.

Both work-study students and non-paid interns may participate in the Health Research Training Program, which provides an excellent opportunity for students interested in public health and/or medicine to work on research projects in local hospitals or agencies. Applications are available at the OCD Front Desk.

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Students may attend the Student Employment Job Fair, held in early September, to meet with prospective employers and learn about non-profit agencies. The Office also co-sponsors two career fairs in the Spring: the Not-for-Profit Public Service Career Fair in Washington, DC and New York.

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