Stanford students are no strangers to public service. Whether through religious organizations, volunteer clubs or honor societies, most of us have performed community service in the past. For some, it was simply a stepping stone toward college admission, but Stanford’s general population continually performs an enormous amount of tutoring, mentoring, volunteering and fundraising for charitable causes. While Stanford currently has a powerful public service community, we wish to encourage more students to get involved and those who are already participating to consider public service as more than a token extracurricular activity. Volunteering can and should be about more than simply making yourself look good.

First of all, volunteering is so prevalent across majors, interests and financial backgrounds because it really does go beyond resume padding. To be sure, there is a fair number of students with eyes on graduate school and jobs, but extracurriculars like community service tend to be less important than academics on these applications. There is something motivating people beyond the stature gained by volunteering, and, if it’s not motivating you, you should consider what is. Simply ask a friend working with one of the plethora of campus groups trying to help people in settings that range from local to international. Participation in service activities can be one of the most rewarding parts of the college environment and can provide a valuable perspective for future decisions.

This is also the perfect time in our lives to have an enormous impact. Many people continue to volunteer after graduation and some (a regrettably small number) go to work in service-related fields. But college years provide a special window of opportunity. Although it is cliche to call college students young and idealistic, we often are. And instead of using this as a way to downplay what students imagine they can do, youth and idealism should be channeled into energy with enormous potential.

As an “elite” university, we are continually hearing about all of the advantages our school provides. But the same qualities like extremely competitive admissions and motivated students that draw investment banking recruiters in hordes give us powerful leverage for public service. We have the ability to work with some of the best students in the country and share ideas, resources and manpower.

Additionally, the Haas Center for Public Service is a resource that is secret to none. Whether you want to work on campus, in East Palo Alto, or Nepal, the Haas center can help provide information, advice and sometimes even funding. The staff draws on years of experience in community-based work and has helped launch student groups into influential international organizations. No matter what your field of study or personal interest, Haas can provide excellent information about how to use your skills for a greater good.

Author James Baldwin wrote, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” We are proud to attend a university with students so committed to tackling tough issues through public service, but there is always room for improvement. Think hard about what you want to take away from Stanford. A few years down the road you might remember a great party or a crazy night with friends, but the memories of the people you help will likely last much longer.