Everyone agrees that volunteerism has profound positive effects in society, yet when the two words mandatory and volunteerism are combined, people suddenly have mixed opinions. Fundamentally, whether mandatory or not, volunteerism benefits everyone involved. Not only does volunteerism benefit the organization and the people that are being aided, but it also profits the person volunteering. For the individual who volunteers the benefits are endless, but numerous students are reluctant to volunteer. With mandatory volunteerism in place these reluctant students will find the experience of volunteerism rewarding beyond their expectations. For example in Maryland, "wWhat started as a school assignment for three friends at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Maryland, has become their passion" (Ezarik). These three students created the Montgomery Ultimate Story Exchange three years ago. What started as an This assignment turned into a dream, and "oOver time the founders of MUSE have watched their dream become reality" (Ezarik). Due to a mandatory assignment these students started a program that helps others and whose success taught them that with hard work and aspiration your dreams can come true. They reaped many benefits from their mandatory service and were able to feel good about themselves from helping young aspiring writers around the world. This story also shows that the "what's in it for me" attitude is incorrect because volunteer work makes you feel good about yourself, and may even teach you valuable life lessons. Along with with making you feel good about yourself and teaching you valuable life lessons these benefits from volunteering, volunteer work also develops useful skills. .
Volunteerism should be mandatory for the nation's students not only because of its direct and obvious benefits to society but also because it promotes skill building.