Community Work and Learning

Michelle Jacobson '07

Major: Youth and Family Ministry
Minor: Music

"I started off as an America Reads tutor at Longfellow Elementary my freshman year. I continued tutoring until I graduated. My sophomore year, I became a coordinator. This offered me a chance to work inside the program and help the tutors. And, being a role model for the other tutors with more responsibility was a great challenge. I worked with four other coordinators and each had high hopes for their futures and for the America Reads Program. Going to work every day was fun because I knew I was making a difference and doing something I felt good about.

A year before graduation, I knew I would be volunteering abroad. I imagined myself being immersed into a community in need and I knew that there was a small window open in my life to capture this. Plus, I was dying to see the world. So, after graduation I chose the organization Nuesturos Pequenos Hermanos or known as Friends of the Orphans in the USA. I served at the Nicaraguan home as the English teacher and journalist for a year and a half. Now that I am back, I am involved in my Rotaract (Rotary) club, which is involved in Nicaragua right now. They are great because they are a community-based outreach club present in almost every country worldwide. It is also a great place for young professionals to connect outside of college. Now, I am looking into teaching English either in South Korea or through the JET program in Japan. Either would be a great experience.

The CWL office is a wonderful place to connect. Not only can you volunteer as a tutor at local elementary schools, there are many resources for internships, jobs, and volunteer positions all over. I loved being in a place where there was so much opportunity and connections. I met great people, worked with great professionals, and was able to help others give back."

More profiles >>