The Working Life

Volunteering at Cornell

April 25, 2009

In response to a comment from a prospective student, I’d like to take some time to describe my experience, with a specific focus on the very busy April I have had with Cornell Tradition.

Last Saturday was the National Volunteer Week kick-off event, where I think I had the most fun I’ve had volunteering… ever? The weather was perfect, and since we were working alongside the gorge, the breeze was wonderful. Today, I just got back from Bowl for Kids’ Sake ’09, a fundraising bowl-a-thon to benefit BigBrothers BigSisters Ithaca. With my impressive 78, I might be the worst bowler in BFKS history… though I did beat President Obama’s score from last April.

Tradition’s prestige and financial benefits have made a huge difference in my life at Cornell, but I still have the desire to engage more with the fellowship. I have yet to really make a commitment to a community organization. I worry sometimes that my personal definition of public service doesn’t really fit into the Tradition mold; I see being a public servant as inextricably tied to my career, all about doing good research and passing the right laws. While I have generally enjoyed all of the events I have coordinated, I know I could be getting much more out of it if I found a long-term activity. I believe very deeply in Cornell’s public service mission, and Tradition has tremendous potential to be a vehicle for it. I am optimistic that I will be able to find a long-term and personally meaningful opportunity in the fall.

For now, though, it’s 87 degrees, and I’m inside! Time to get out of the library and play on Libe Slope.

Entry Filed under: Spring 2009. Posted in  Spring 2009 .