Cathy Zoleta, '11 BSc
Cathy Zoleta, '11 BSc, is working on her psychology internship as part of her after-degree in Arts - her second degree at the U of A. She started volunteering with U School as a student five years ago and enjoyed it so much that she has found the time to come back to campus to volunteer.
Tell us how you stay connected to campus through volunteerism.
I volunteer at U School, a program that provides inner-city schoolchildren with the opportunity to come to campus for a week to expose them to exciting post-secondary prospects. As a volunteer, you get to explore campus with them and share your stories and experiences at school.
Why do you think it's important for grads to volunteer their time?
It can be really easy to get caught up in your routine of work, family and obligations. Volunteering is a way to explore your community and exercise your skills and time on a different platform. Also, volunteering can open different opportunities for you that you never knew existed. It can provide new ideas, new friendships and new ways to challenge yourself.
Do you volunteer for other organizations? Where?
I also volunteer at the Little Bits Therapeutic Riding Association.
What does volunteering mean to you?
For me it is an opportunity to continually challenge myself in ways that I would not be able to in my regular, everyday routines. It is a way to have fun and make personable connections while still giving back to the community.
What impact has volunteering had on you? On others?
When I first started volunteering, I was incredibly shy and timid but as I started to experience more within volunteering, I was able to gain confidence in myself. The skills I learned while volunteering I have been able to use in everything that I do. Seeing others grow from their volunteer experiences is also something that one should take time to notice, because it can serve as a positive reminder about what volunteering and that organization can accomplish.
Share a story or a memory from your time volunteering.
Volunteering at U School, you have the opportunity to see each class of students a few times during their week-long visit to the U of A. But since you are there for only a short time with them, and because they are busy with exciting experiments and activities, sometimes it is hard to gauge the effect you have on them. One time, I was with a school a couple of times and somehow they found out it was my birthday and they made me this wonderful handmade card. Everyone signed it and sang to me, it was incredibly touching.
On average, how many hours a month do you volunteer?
A minimum of eight hours.
For more information on volunteering with U School, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at alumni.volunteers@ualberta.ca.