About Volunteer Work

Some academic high school institutions include in their curriculum mandatory volunteer work for graduation. This decision may have some pros and cons for students. In this short essay, I will share my opinion on this topic.

First of all, we have to consider that involving young people in volunteering or social work, in general, could be a great opportunity to develop empathy and explore some areas or scenarios that they may not find in a traditional curriculum. Perhaps, some of them might find social work an career path or realize how rewarding it can feel to help other people. Of course, there are many situations or projects in which they can work, and choosing where they are suited is a key factor.

On the other hand, mandatory volunteer activities can have negative effects on students. Just like reading a book without desire can make someone hate reading, being forced to volunteer does not seem like a good idea. Young people should realize how important or meaningful volunteering can be for themselves and be able to choose what kind of actions they would like to support. In fact, they may have some concerns about it. For example, you may hear some high school students talk about how some NGOs can lie and manipulate people to achieve an end.

In summary, high school curriculum designers and academic staff, in general, need to be aware of how students perceive volunteering. Volunteer work can be an amazing experience to share with others, to explore new things, or simply to help the less fortunate. However, mandatory volunteering can be a double-edged sword if students see it as a burden.