Tuesday, January 15, 2008

An Introduction

Let me begin by saying thank you to whoever is reading this right now. I thank you because if you are reading this it means that you are taking an interest in service and taking an interest in possibilities and opportunities for you beyond Elon.

Let me continue by saying, don't stop. Don't stop taking an interest, don't stop exploring options, don't stop wondering when and where you can move forward, grow more, give more, be more.

A year ago, I was beginning my last semester at Elon. I was living at the top of Oak Hill, my hardest classes behind me, trying to make the most of my last few months at Elon, trying not to spend too much time dwelling on where life would take me after I walked the stage and took my diploma in May. Yet, no matter how much I tried not to get caught up, I couldn't help but wonder what life post-Elon had in store.

As a Corporate Communications major, with PR and marketing internships under my belt, I still couldn't decide what I wanted and what would be the best way to use my energy and enthusiasm fresh out of college. As I scrolled through pages and pages of Craig's List ads and scanned lists of "The Top 50 (insert cool industry here) Companies to Work For" I couldn't help but feel deflated by it all--I couldn't fight the feeling of wanting something more, something bigger than the entry level positions I robotically sent my resume to.

It wasn't until hearing about AmeriCorps*National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) that I took a chance on something that didn't deflate me--in fact, it inspired me to the point of scaring me. AmeriCorps*NCCC, a 10-month national service program, gave me the feeling that I could be a part of that "something more". In applying to NCCC, I didn't even know that much about it. I knew that I had the chance to move to Sacramento, California and that I had the chance to move around the country working on various service projects. I knew that I didn't know that much. I knew that I would be taking a chance. I knew that I would be giving myself to something bigger than myself. I knew that if I didn't do it now, I never would. That was a year ago.