Why millennials value volunteering

Photo credit: Indevjobs.org

Despite stereotypes of being self-absorbed and apathetic, millennials actually care more about volunteering than older generations — at least according to a poll that the Associated Press and GfK conducted. This poll finds that people under 30 are more likely to say that citizens have a “very important” obligation to volunteer.

Why is volunteering so important to millennials? Perhaps because so many of them grew up in a culture that encouraged and even required volunteer work. For 24-year-old Morgan Gress, community service was required at her high school, and there were numerous opportunities to volunteer at her college.

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20something profile: Kelsey

This post was written by Kelsey, who works at an environmental nonprofit:

In May 2012, I graduated with a major in Environmental Studies, a minor in Peace Studies, and no clarity on what my Life’s Work would look like. I felt helplessly pinned between three of my strongest passions — sustainability, spirituality, and creative writing — and I didn’t believe there was a place in the world for a multi-passionate person like me.

I started working at an environmental nonprofit two months after graduation, which was technically my goal all along, but feelings of incompleteness nagged at me. Visions of normalness and business suits danced in my head. Did starting my career in a cubicle mean I was letting my other creative dreams rot within me?

20something profile: Unexpected Wanderlust

Amile

This post was written by Amile, Lucia, Elias, and Hamilton, who are 20-something travel bloggers:

What are your career aspirations, and what have you done to fulfill those aspirations?

Amile: I would like to try out both teaching and social work and then whichever one I like more, I would go to grad school for. I’ve been tutoring in after-school programs throughout my life and have been working at my college’s Financial Aid office this semester where a good portion of my job is counseling on difficult financial issues. It is very challenging, but I love it.

Lucia: I’ve always wanted to work for a nonprofit organization, but the more I’ve gotten into that world, the more I’ve realized how complicated it is. I’d love to find an organization I truly believe in and whose practices are conscious, which is not that easy. I’d also love to work on community projects but more from a grassroots approach.

20something profile: Marissa

This post was written by Marissa, who is working on building a product distribution business in rural Haiti:

At 18 years old, if you asked me about my life plan, I’d straighten my back, I’d grow the already present smile, and I’d inform you, “I’m going to save the world as an international lawyer working at the international criminal court…or something like that.”

After a somewhat dramatic epiphany that law school was not for me, I set to finding a new way to honor the root of my desires: solving problems on an international scale.  It wasn’t pretty, and each step hasn’t flowed perfectly to the next, but my career thus far is a patchwork of some very cool experiences.

20something profile: Shanondoah

This post was written by Shanondoah, a writer, marketer, and event planner in Toronto:

I graduated in 2009; I completed my Honours BA in English & Canadian Studies. Since then, I’ve also finished two certificates, one in Marketing Communications and Event Planning. When I was unable to find a new full-time job upon completing my degree, I went to Australia for six months. It was one of the best experiences of my life.

Everyone who knows me knows I am in love with events. I look forward to a career in planning large corporate and marketing events. Along with the event work I do in my current role, I’ve also committed to a number of community events, including nonprofits. 

Millennials: Changing the world

Some of the extraordinary millennials spotlighted in the Huffington Post’s article (Photo credit: Huffington Post)

At 20somethings in 2014, I like to spotlight millennials who are making difference and disproving the stereotype that millennials are selfish and narcissistic.

So I was glad to find this Huffington Post article spotlighting seven millennials whose innovations are changing the world:

7 Millennials Who Are Too Busy Changing The World To Take Selfies  (huffingtonpost.com)

20something profile: Muna Sharma

This post was written by Muna Sharma, a human rights activist:

Hello, darling sunshines! My name is Muna Sharma, and I’m a second year at the University of Virginia. Currently, I’m looking to transfer to Clemson University in the spring, if god permits! I moved to the US in 2010 from the occupied Palestinian territories — Ramallah, to be exact — for higher education.

Ever since I was a kid, I had a “bad habit,” as my parents liked to put it, of defending innocent people who I deemed oppressed, or voiceless.

20something profile: Lisa

This post was written by Lisa, a Creative Director for a nonprofit’s community magazine:

May your twenties be messy…

Growing up, I always knew that I was going to go to college. It was never even a question! So, senior year of high school, I applied to one school and headed four hours south to complete my undergraduate in Marketing.

Marketing was also a confident path for me! My major was Marketing when I enrolled at Georgia Southern, and I left having it be exactly that. I was very sure of my presence and education at Southern, but I was never prepared for what I was going to endure once I graduated.

Millennials: Making a difference

DoSomething.org (Photo credit: jdlasica)

Have you ever wanted to make a difference in the world but felt that you were too young? Then you should check out this Huffington Post article written by Ola Ojewumi, founder of Sacred Hearts Children’s Transplant and Project ASCEND:

The Millennial Generation Is Doing Something (huffingtonpost.com)

Ojewmi’s article discusses how nonprofits such as DoSomething are recruiting millennials for “volunteerism, entrepreneurship, public service and charitable initiatives” that have led to over 2.4 million youths making a difference.

20something profile: Kayla

This post was written by Kayla, a college student with an interest in the nonprofit field:

I entered college an excited and nervous 18-year-old dance major on the path to become a physical therapist and one day open my own dance studio.  I was beyond excited to start the journey towards the “real world.” Little did I know that my life was about to do a complete 180. Ankle surgery, an internship in D.C., and four majors later, I am now a government major interested in working in the nonprofit field.

This is something I would have never imagined for myself as I entered college, but now, only two years later, it seems like the right fit for me. After deciding to switch out of the dance program, I struggled to figure out my next move. As someone who plans everything, this was a huge shock to the system.