Masuk Free Press

In a world driven by instant gratification and external validation, the essence of volunteering often gets entangled in a web of incentives and personal gain. For students at Masuk, receiving an extra cord at graduation has become a driving force in completing community service hours. Though this initiative is an effective way of encouraging student involvement, it poses a question about the true nature of volunteerism. 

It is no secret that high school students are motivated by the desire to build and enhance their college resumes. For many, high school serves as the stepping stone to a college career; four years to get involved, take lots of advanced classes, and rack up as many achievements as possible to curate a perfect resume. All of this is in hopes of attracting the best colleges. In a sense, students are hardwired to view high school through this lens. We are taught as freshmen to strategically plan the upcoming four years of our lives, selecting the correct classes to fulfill credit requirements and begin considering what career path we will take.
“There’s so much pressure on students to do things that ‘look good for college’. I think a lot of kids will join clubs and volunteer for things they don’t even want to do just to be able to say they did it,” said senior Alexandra Hernandez. “I have friends who joined clubs and quit right after they sent in their college applications.”

Many educational institutions place an emphasis on extracurricular activities, community service, and leadership roles when evaluating applications. Consequently, students are guided to approach these activities as vital components of a carefully crafted college application. 

“I feel like I based almost all the classes I took off of wanting my resume to look good for college,” stated senior Grace Foley. “I tried to pack my schedule with clubs that I wasn’t even interested in just to have a better resume.”

 The pressure to build an impressive list of activities leads students to view community service as a means to an end, as opposed to a genuine commitment to making a positive impact. 

The authentic spirit of volunteering, driven by compassion and a desire to contribute to the well-being of others, can sometimes be overshadowed by the need to fulfill requirements and check boxes on a college admissions checklist. 

“I definitely don’t volunteer as much as I should, and it’s probably because of my post-high school plans, I decided to go to cosmetology school after I graduate,” said senior Leah Callison. “It’s hard to say for sure, but I think I would probably volunteer more if I had to submit college applications.” 

This trend is furthered by a culture of comparison and competition among students. The belief that one must outshine their peers in every aspect, including community service, fosters an environment where the primary focus becomes personal achievement rather than collective well-being. 

In many cases, the structure of school-sponsored community service events inadvertently reinforces this self-serving perspective when it comes to getting involved. With an emphasis on reaching a quota and accumulating a certain number of hours, students are taught to approach volunteer opportunities transactionally. 

“I know a lot of times volunteers will be offered double hours just to get more students involved, and from what I’ve seen it really does work,” stated Callison. 

The phenomenon of prioritizing personal gain over genuine selflessness extends far beyond the halls of Masuk and is prevalent in the realm of social media. Platforms such as TikTok and Instagram have become breeding grounds for a culture of performative philanthropy, where creators will post content showcasing their charitable behavior. 

“I see a lot of celebrities and creators on TikTok trying to show off their kindness online,” said senior Erin Davis. “I honestly think it highlights the difference between people who actually want to help others versus people who just want everyone to see their volunteering.”

While this charity does benefit the recipient, the content produced is posted with the intent of receiving a positive response from viewers. Similar to how high school students may engage in community service primarily to enhance their college resumes, social media influencers and creators often use charitable acts to strengthen their brands and boost engagement. 

From high school students enhancing their resumes to influencers seeking online acclaim, genuine acts of charity often take a back seat to individual recognition. While incentives are an effective way to increase charitable work, it is crucial to be cognizant of the value of volunteering in fostering empathy and civic responsibility. By reframing our perception of volunteerism and prioritizing genuine acts of service, we can achieve a more compassionate and understanding community.