By Brianna Murphy
News Editor
Photo by Brianna Murphy
Tyler Junior College continues to offer volunteer opportunities for students with COVID-19 regulations in place.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, TJC students have found it difficult to find volunteer and service opportunities on campus. “There’s lots of service opportunities but a lot of them are hosted by the various organizations,” Lauren Tyler, director of Student Life, said. TJC’s student and school ran organizations offer several volunteer opportunities guided by special interest.
“It’s been more challenging with recent COVID guidelines for some of them to accept volunteers,” Tyler said. “On campus, student organizations must follow TJC’s COVID-19 guidelines, applying to all volunteer efforts,” Tyler said. “The biggest thing is making sure people are wearing their mask and physical distancing, minimizing the group sizes, just to ensure everyone is safe.”
The COVID-19 protocol applied to classroom settings is transferred onto organizations affiliated with TJC, but outside services will have their own respective protocols. Students can find more information about organizations and service opportunities through TJC’s OrgSync.
“OrgSync is a great place to start in searching by category for service opportunities right here on campus,” Tyler said. The Student Life Center offers advice for students looking for service opportunities if they are facing difficulties in searching.
“[Students can] reach out to the organizations, go to OrgSync, search by service category, contact our office, and look for non-profits within Tyler and Smith County,” Tyler said.
Volunteering can benefit both the organizations and students that donate their time.
“A lot of students do not have work experience, so volunteering, even servicing at an intern capacity, is another way to gain some work experience because they may not have that experience in that certain field,” Tyler said.
Students should “look for something that they are passionate about or care about and then pursue that sort of non-profit organization or that organization to volunteer with,” Tyler said. Selecting volunteer opportunities that align with student’s talents, passions, and career paths can reap multiple benefits. Regarding volunteer searching, “you are going to be more passionate about volunteering there and enjoy it
Khalil sneed • Apr 1, 2021 at 11:32 pm
Wow I believe this is very important to Have volunteers who are willing to preform in such actions to help individuals be able to achieve and move forward in fighting and overcoming this pandemic
Sheldon benson • Apr 1, 2021 at 11:00 pm
I’m glad we’re pushing to help out locally and push to bring back the norm a safe way!
Jessica Palacios • Apr 1, 2021 at 10:38 pm
The pandemic has interfered with so many day to day activities and it is great to see that there is so many great people coming together and helping the community despite all the restrictions that have been placed. Now with the pandemic coming to an end or at least slowing down I hope that people that have seen this article will want to become more involved and give a helping hand.
Samuel W • Apr 1, 2021 at 9:48 pm
It’s nice to have the ability to volunteer at TJC especially during a hard time such as the recent pandemic. It’s great to see everyone be able to find something they are passionate about and be able to volunteer doing so.
Magaly • Apr 1, 2021 at 5:33 pm
It’s good to give back to the community especially with everything going on. I feel as through that shows how strong a community can truly be even with everything going against, the people still stand up and push back which is great to hear about.
Lisa McDonald • Mar 26, 2021 at 12:52 am
Its great to see both TJC students and professors volunteering around the campus. Its important to get out their and help after all the COVID-19 restrictions lift. Thank you for all you do. Keep up the good work.