Kids boost their chances by getting charity work on their CV, good or bad

[zippitippitoes]

I was interested to read this article from the US and as all things American come over here, sooner rather than later, do your kids do volunteering or would they do it more if they thought it was boosting their prospects?

Do the reasons matter?

New York Times: Altruism or Self Serving

zippi - I came from a 'poor' background (my parents owed my school 5yrs worht of fees when I left - despite the school being 'means tested').

I had to raise £3000 to go to Zimbabwe (for 1yr). The money raised paid for my insurance, airfares, support in the country and training before I went (among other things). And I can assure you that of the 120 youngsters who I 'trained' with (all going to South Africa and Zimbabwe) no-one had a 'glorfied holiday'.

(oh and I only had 9 months to raise that money - which was all done through fundraising events set up my me).

But I think not all of the schemes are as well run or beneficial, QOQ

most of the ones that you have to pay large amounts of money for are very well run (I spent months reseraching them before choosing one). Did my 'main' Scottish Highers in S5 and then arsed around doing just 3 more exams in S6.

Actually I think the one I choise was one of the worst run ones - but that was more the organisation from "this" end (ie the UK base where they picked the volunteers) rather than the running at the actual projects.

The only reason I picked the one I did was because it offered a whoke year, rather than 3-6 months

I think there is a problem in the proliferation of companies marketing these schemes and failing both the clientele here and in the host community...

If it were not for the voluntary work that I have been involved with I would never have spent any time with large parts of my community. Though volunteering I have worked with people with diabilities, people who are socially excluded and the elderly (sometimes all at the same time). I think that the volunteer work had benifited me at least as much as the people I was working with. I have always found it to be enjoyable, educational and enlightening. I have made friends with people who I would not normally dare to even speak to.

I hope that my volunteering work has been of value as it was intended. Even being involved for very short periods of time changed my outlook and altered my preconceptions.

I will encourage my kids to get involved when they are old enough, and not just for their CVs.

I do agree that volutary work is great and in general where the person is interested and committed that is brilliant. what I dont like is the idea that volutary work is seen as looking good on a CV and is better than paid work on a CV as a way to get into college IYSWIM.

EG Student A does 6 months volunteer work on some scheme or other as part of their gap year.
Student B OTOH takes a gap year to earn some money so as s/he can get through college without acquiring vast debts.
Now if student A is committed to the scheme and has raised the money themselves then obviously that is one thing but if Daddy wrote a cheque then thats a different kettle of fish altogether. However I dotn see how in either case that makes student A more worthy of the college place that student B.

But then the college places system over here always did my head in. Its nice and simple in Ireland..100 places 200 pupils apply the ones with the highest marks at leaving get the places. End of

The government published a green paper in July (Youth Matters) which promotes more involvement in the the community through mentoring, coaching and volunteering. The paper also argues for a new Opportunity Card for young people which stores points for those who undertake this kind of activity. And points make prizes... discounts for stores that sort of thing. The idea is not that it helps kids into university but to switch them back on to being part of society... I have my doubts. But I'm strongly in favour of young people doing more. Trouble is, they get stereo typed into being too difficult to handle, poorly motivated or wrongly motivated. Often it's our low expectations that create poor volunteers.