Even if you’re not doing anything this summer, do something.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nebraska’s unemployment rate in May was 4.4 percent, up from 3.2 percent in 2008, which is the least percentage change (loss) of any state and still ties us with North Dakota as having the lowest unemployment rate in the nation. Even so, that’s still a loss of more than 21,000 jobs.
In May, Lincoln had the sixth lowest unemployment rate in the nation at 4.2 percent, up from 2.9 percent in 2008. That’s a loss of more than 3,000 jobs.
Worse for a college town is the national picture for particular industries and the drying well of summer internship opportunities. If you’re one of the unfortunate few who was unable to find a summer job or has settled for something less than spectacular (in both wages and interest), our condolences are with you.
But keep in mind that this may offer you an unprecedented opportunity to do something worthwhile, both for yourself and others. Volunteer. There are three outstanding reasons to volunteer: helping others, personal growth and resume building.
First of all, there are plenty of people out there who need our help, especially now. Two umbrella organizations that support dozens of local initiatives are the United Way, www.unitedwaylincoln.org, and AmeriCorps, www.americorp.gov.
These two groups support organizations like Community CROPS, which operates 14 community gardens, Habitat for Humanity, which builds affordable housing for deserving families, NOAH’S Assistance Dogs, which trains dogs to help people live independently, the Center for People in Need, which distributes food to low-income families and many more worthy causes.
There is an opportunity for any skill set, from manual labor to graphic design and marketing to fundraising and development to working directly with needy children, immigrants or the elderly.
The second reason to volunteer is to learn and grow. Volunteering provides an opportunity to explore something completely outside your life experiences and meet people who you might otherwise never have come into contact with.
The Asian Community and Cultural Center (lincolnasiancenter.org), located at 2615 O St., needs volunteers all the time to help with children’s leadership, involvement and scholarship programs.
The Southern Sudan Community Association at 4819 Dodge St in Omaha helps resettle refugees by providing English language, driving and parenting classes, as well as tutoring for children, and help in housing and employment.
The People’s City Mission (www.peoplescitymission.org) needs guest advocates, instructors, painters, kitchen help, meal servers and drivers. These are just a few of the awesome opportunities available in our area.
Finally, volunteer experience looks great on a resume (better than that fast food joint you worked at last summer). It shows that you are generous, helpful, self-motivated and loyal to your community.
So put down that video game controller, log off of Facebook, change out of those old sweatpants, and get back to work – even if you’re not technically going to “work.”
Volunteering is one of those few experiences that can change lives, yours as well as other peoples, so take advantage of your boring summer, get out there and do it.
opinion@dailynebraskan.com
