Can something as simple as talking to strangers about marine life really change who you are? During my year and a half as a Teen Ambassador at the Mississippi Aquarium, I found out that it really can.
Summer volunteering is often seen as something students do to stay busy, but it can be so much more. It is a chance to grow, build confidence, and connect with people in ways you might not expect.
During my time at the Mississippi Aquarium, I worked with all kinds of people. I spoke with young kids on field trips, families along the coast, and tourists visiting the area for the first time.
Each conversation was completely different, especially those with children; I never knew what would be asked or said. However, those conversations taught me how to adjust my communication based on whom I was talking to, even if it was a 5-year-old who told me about his 'dragon' named after one of our birds.
Beyond learning how to adapt to any conversation and the experience itself, volunteering can also become a strong foundation for something bigger. It can grow into a passion project that connects directly to your goals and interests, providing a building block for your future career.
These types of experiences also stand out in the college admissions process because they show commitment, growth, and real-world impact, and, not to mention, the amazing stories to write about in your essays instead of just listing activities.
And just for the cherry on top, the National Institutes of Health reports that volunteering can:
- Improve mental health
- Foster social connections
- Alleviate symptoms of depression and loneliness
- Mitigate the risk of cognitive decline, including Alzheimer's disease
If you are given the chance to volunteer, take it, because you never know how much it might change you.
