With the steep competition to get a job nowadays, people are always looking for ways to build their resumes. Through various extracurricular activities and volunteer opportunities, many try and get a competitive edge on the other applicants with a bulked up resume. After talking to a few CL interns, though, it is obvious that volunteering is so much more than that. By helping others, whether it is for a charity close to your heart or one that is conveniently located near your school, you can help yourself, as well. After all, feeling accomplished at the end of a long day of helping others never hurt anyone.

If you’re looking for more reasons why volunteering is beneficial, read what the girls of CL had to say:

“I love to volunteer. I don’t do it as a “resume builder,” I highly enjoy helping others. I believe that you can change a life by doing something so little. Every little bit counts.”
— Samantha Schafer, Social Media intern, 24, Saint Louis University

“I absolutely love the feeling of giving back. When you can see the results of what you are doing, like a little girl who’s excited to be learning fractions at school simply because she can now afford an education, it is really the best feeling in the world.”
— Rachel Crocetti, Health and Lifestyles writer, 19, Hofstra University

“As human beings, we all have an obligation to show compassion and help those in need. You never know when you might be on the receiving end. It all goes back to that Golden Rule we learned in Kindergarten: Treat others as you would have them treat you.”
— Mallory Hatten, Editor, 21, University of Southern Mississippi

“I think volunteering is important for many different reasons, but most importantly it’s a great way to give back and help others. The feeling I get after volunteering is incredible, and I love being a part of something bigger than myself. It’s important for people our age to disconnect from our own bubble for a while and help others.”
— Sarah Albert, Writer, 20, University of Maryland

“Volunteerism is great because it brings you back down to earth. We all get caught up in our own lives but doing something valuable for a group of children, let’s say, can be the spiritual lift we can all use. If you’re feeling bogged down by stress, pressure and anxiety, step outside yourself and let making someone else’s day shine a positive light on your own!”
— Tiana Blue, Editor, 19, Penn State

“Volunteering is the first step of networking. Start making a brand for yourself now.”
— Charlene Alexander, Social Media/PR intern, University of South Florida, 21

And if you’re still looking for creative ways to volunteer check out what CL’s editor in chief had to say:

“Volunteering is important at any age, anytime and in any capacity. Since food is my background, I lean towards any volunteerism dealing with food. Remember, if you can’t make an event – you can always ask ‘What can I do?’ Perhaps you can make posters, hang flyers before the event, and even assist with cleanup. As I am getting older and have a child, I look at other methods of volunteering to represent the life cycle. How can I include her in giving back to others? This Christmas, I will let her pick an ‘angel’ off the tree to get presents. While she won’t quite understand it yet, I look at it as a nice tradition to start for her, as well teach her how to give to others as she grows up. While sometimes we think it is time while we [are] on this planet to volunteer, we can always leave something to others. My most recent was signing up to be an organ donor. It may not be considered ‘volunteering’ but I know I can continue to give when I am not here.”
— Shelly Redmond, Editor in Chief of College Lifestyles