I started volunteering when I was in high school, I was told that it was something I had to do. Volunteering was something that I was to add onto my college application. Therefore, I began volunteering at the St. Francis Hospital and although I learned a few things in regards to the functionality of the medical records I wanted to try other things.

I did not volunteer in high school that much and to be honest at this point (about 5 years later) it is all a blur. I have volunteered much much more in college. I have volunteered at the campus student run radio station (Kbeach Radio), on campus magazine (DIG), newspaper and Alumni Association.

Of course one of the main reasons I volunteer is to learn, meet new people, explore and grow. I have been volunteering for Kbeach Radio for three years now. Never would I imagine I would have interviewed numerous artists, friends, colleagues or host/produce an entertainment talk radio show.

Furthermore, my senior year at CSULB I decided to join the Mybeach senior committee (affiliated with the alumni association). I navigated through senior year in high school with my friends and together we went to pick up our gowns, tickets, etc. College of course is completely different from high school and 10x bigger. I felt that I was going to be lost my senior year in college; therefore I decided to apply to be a volunteer for this committee. It was one of the best decisions I made in college. Not only did I make friends, learned new marketing skills but I also networked. I attended campus events I had never paid attention to, visited event locations I have never visited and I heard stories/memories from the beginnings of CSU Long Beach. I know I can reach out to all of the wonderful people I met there if I ever need any support or simply to hang out.

Ok I don’t necessarily volunteer for “The Odyssey Online,” it is more of an unpaid internship. I began my internship a few months ago when I was still an undergrad so I have written a few articles. Although I was a journalism major, through this internship I have been able to express myself thoroughly. I have written about everything that I love; food, books, health, fitness, traveling and entertainment! I loved writing about different topics; it is one of my hobbies!

Volunteering in different organizations and attending a few events to lend a hand has allowed me to meet new people and expand my interests. Through the Mybeach committee I realized that aside from marketing entertainment I would like to work in hospitality marketing too!

Overall, volunteering is the gateway to friendship, networking and growth.