Ever Consider Doing a Year-Long Service Program?

Many young (and not so young) people offer their lives in service for a year or so to various organizations who serve the needs of the world. For those who might be interested in exploring that as an option, go to the Catholic Network of Volunteer Service website and check out the various offerings that they have gathered there for you.

Most importantly, think about your own gifts and talents and what you might have to offer someone else. For those thinking of plans after graduation, this is a great opportunity to make yourself more attractive to potential future employees. Many human resource directors report a vast difference between those who have had an experience of giving long-term service and those that have not. One notes: "The young people who have done a year-long service program are smarter, more interesting and better prepared for the working world than those who are not."

For those looking at Graduate School the same can be said there. Your experience of doing this kind of work makes you more attractive to employers and keeps you better grounded in the values and beliefs that you wish to express in this work.

Most importantly, it provides you with the chance to meet Jesus in the poor. While giving service it's often interesting just how much we receive from those who we encounter and serve. We get back far more than what we give.

So consider a year-long commitment of service. You won't regret it for a second!