BENEDICTINE SERVICE CORPS
originally planned to work in public relaFood Pantry in Chicago, Ill., as a voluntions, marketing or consulting once she teer coordinator through the Saint John’s completed her 10-month service commitBenedictine Volunteer Corps. He manages ment. However, she discovered a passion volunteers and helps run the daily activifor teaching through her service work. She ties of the food pantry, including client is now applying to graduate schools to get a master’s in education with hopes of getting licensed to teach English as a second language and Spanish. Being in a classroom with 46 kindergartners, or “little monsters” as she calls them in an endearing manner, has helped Schwalbach find her calling in life. “I’d have to say some of my most rewarding moments as a teacher have been the “aha” moments I’ve seen in my students when they finally understand something,” Schwalbach has found her calling in the classroom. Schwalbach says. “Also, getting so many 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds’ hugs, kisses intake, food distribution, food packaging and “Teacher, I love you’s” in one day is and deliveries. pretty rewarding.” Swanson graduated with a major in Schwalbach believes that volunteerbiochemistry. Although his volunteer ing after graduation is a great learning work differs from lab work, he believes his experience. Although she plays the role of volunteer work is just as challenging but a teacher, she is the one learning from her more rewarding. service experience. “I probably could not convince most of “I’ve learned that while the world needs my friends that running the food pantry both charity and justice, charity needs to or any social service can be just as mentally work in the name of justice if it’s going to challenging as organic chemistry,” Swando any good,” she says. son says. “My work has definitely been a Charlie Swanson ’11 is doing work in challenge that I have enjoyed solving a lot the name of justice at the Saint James more than a molecule in lab.”
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Swanson believes that he has grown as a leader from the challenges he has overcome while serving the community. “Volunteering after college has been one of the best decisions of my life,” Swanson says. “It’s a year where you don’t have to worry about the normal stresses in life, and you can focus on doing good for the world. It has been fun, challenging and rewarding all at the same time.” After his ninemonth service commitment is completed, Swanson will pursue a career in industry sales, which involves selling large chemistry testing equipment. Heidi Harlander, director of CSB/SJU Career Services, believes CSB and SJU instill a passion for service among students. Many campus clubs and organizations provide opportunities for service, as do courses with a service-learning component that integrates volunteer service with classroom learning. Study abroad programs and short-term trips through Campus Ministry are service oriented as well. “It’s a strong statement about these places — that if you come here, service is part of our ethos,” Harlander says. “It’s important for everyone to think about social justice and the common good. These are real actions that our campuses take to live that; it’s not just something we say.”