CREDIT: RESUMARK.COM
Volunteering not only gives you valuable job experience, but it also gives you a stronger sense of community.

During his interactions with his followers, Mahatma Gandhi once observed that, consciously or unconsciously, every individual renders some service to another, and if the habit is cultivated deliberately, then the desire for service increases.

If you think that the current generation considers these words or service to the society obsolete, then you are wrong. Youngsters, particularly college students in Canada, are seriously involving themselves in volunteering opportunities, and for most of them it is not a passive fancy but a commitment that started from school days.

Emi, a Developmental Services Worker student at Fanshawe (who preferred not to reveal her last name, stating that volunteers never take credit for their work), had her first experience with volunteering as a high school student.

"Then, for me, it was a necessary part of academic requirement as 40 hours of volunteering work would earn me credits. My task was to help kindergarten kids with studies and games. However, volunteering work has a charm that clings to you, and after the school requirement, I continued volunteering work with communities nearby my home," she said.

Stephanie Dudar, a Fashion Merchandising student who was sitting by Emi's side, agreed with her, but pointed out that, once in college, the study load crushes such aspirations. "I am someone who commits to volunteer jobs whenever I get a chance, and even this weekend I am attending an interview to enroll in a painting workshop. I do that because I have time, but many students who juggle studies with a part-time job have started giving more priority to money than to humanitarian efforts," she said.

Does this mean that young people are turning their backs on service to the society?

"Definitely not," argued Edgar Fernadez, a first-year student in Architectural Technology studies. "It is true that job, studies and the colourful life at college take up most of the time of a college student, but I know many who opt to spend the weekend cooking and serving food for the homeless rather than spending time at the city's party holes."

Most students at Fanshawe College became involved with volunteer works by chance, however they have an icon in the form of Terry Fox to remain inspired. Students like Amanda Eagles, studying Interior Design, and second- year DSW student Emily Kruger are happy that Canadians continue to keep memories of the late humanitarian and his work through events like marathons and walks. "Schools and colleges play a great role in spreading his legacy and we grew up hearing about him. His is an inspirational story, a proof that making a difference in people's lives is not an impossible task and Terry Fox continues to inspire us even after three decades. Paid jobs will definitely be more attractive to us youngsters, but once bitten, service to the society through humanitarian efforts will always hold the upper deck," they added.