idealist.org

Living Responsibly After College
By Amy Cheung

Walking around campus, I see social justice work opportunities everywhere. Groups advertise for tutoring, socially responsible business initiatives, environmental action - you name it, and it's probably there. But with graduation and the "real world" looming in the not-too-distant future, I've been thinking about how to live a socially responsible life even if I don't work in a field directly related to my campus work. After some research, I've found that reconciling idealism and the realities of everyday life is not impossible; it just takes a little effort. Below, I have listed some useful tips and resources that I've discovered on how to carry my commitment to social justice with me after college.

Volunteering
Volunteering is one of the most obvious and rewarding ways to maintain your involvement. From one-time service events like a neighborhood clean-up to longer commitments like mentoring a child, volunteering opportunities can be found everywhere. If you're not sure what kind of volunteer work interests you, find a variety of opportunities near you and try them out until you've found an organization or a cause that appeals to you. In addition to Idealist.org, websites like Network for Good link to volunteer openings by location and interest, and SERVEnet.org is a site designed for people 5-25 who are interested in volunteering. Your local religious organization or library may also have volunteer opportunities.

If you're looking to make a difference in the global community and to get to know other cultures, volunteering abroad is a great option though it can require a greater investment of time and money. Besides year of service programs, there are also shorter commitments - some as short as one week. A great resource for the international volunteer is Volunteer International, where you can search according to area of interest and how long you plan to stay. I found all of these resources by looking through the Idealist.org Volunteer Center and by running searches on Google, but there are dozens of other useful sites available.

Year of Service
Graduates looking for a rewarding experience that will allow them to develop critical skills in a challenging, hands-on environment might want to consider a year of service program. In the United States, the most well-known program is run by AmeriCorps, and internationally, people can volunteer for the Peace Corps, among other groups. AmeriCorps usually requires a 10-month to year-long commitment in which members work with communities on education, housing, disaster relief, the environment, and other critical needs. The Peace Corps is similar to AmeriCorps, but volunteers only work outside of the country, and most work for two years. Their projects include teaching computer skills or English, HIV/AIDS education, community development, and business development. Oftentimes, service members for AmeriCorps, the Peace Corps, and other year-long programs receive a monthly stipend and loan forgiveness during their term and may even receive aid for repaying loans or for future educational expenses. Although the work is rewarding in itself, the financial help makes it easier for students and recent grads to afford volunteering.

If you're considering a year of service, take a look at Idealist's resource guide; it includes links to some other programs in the United States and answers common concerns. There is also a list of well-known programs on Idealist.org's Career Center that includes opportunities to blend faith, community living, or a commitment to specific issues with your work. AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps are two of the broadest and most easily recognized programs, but many others offer equally stimulating and gratifying options.

Responsible Consumerism
Contrary to popular opinion, social justice and business savvy are not incompatible. The Green Money Journal publishes investment advice for those interested in supporting socially responsible companies, so you can encourage fair business practices and grow your nest egg at the same time. One successful and socially responsible business is Ten Thousand Villages, which operates over 160 stores in North America and works with over 100 artisan groups from across the world to bring high quality fair trade goods to the public. Active since 1946, this company is proof that fair trade businesses work. Newer to mixing social responsibility and business, eBay has started providing an option for sellers to donate a portion of their sales to nonprofits through the organization Mission Fish.

Even running everyday errands like grocery and clothes shopping provides opportunities to live out your ideals of social responsibility. One way that you can reflect this commitment with your dollars is by intentionally purchasing goods designated as "fair trade". Coffee, sugar and produce are among the most commonly designated fair trade goods. To obtain the fair trade certification, businesses have to comply with regulations concerning prices paid to farmers, living and working conditions, sustainable agricultural practices, and more (TransFair USA and IFAT). Looking for a label designating goods as fair trade when you're shopping will help you to know that your socially responsible decisions have aided the farmers and communities who grow these products. For more information on responsible consumerism, check out Coop America.

The fact is that fair trade and environmentally friendly products are more readily available than ever before - all you have to do is look.

Political Participation
Not only is voting part of one's civic duty, but it gives each of us a powerful voice to influence government. Take advantage of this privilege and register to vote! Keep yourself informed about current domestic and international issues, and educate yourself about your representatives. One resource I found is the Cook Political Report, which is a nonpartisan, independent publication that analyzes congressional, gubernatorial, and presidential elections in the United States.

It can be challenging at times to find a political issue that especially appeals to you. Fortunately, if you're not sure of which issue to work on, websites like the Public Agenda encourage public engagement and offer resources and analyses of current issues. Once you've identified your issue, many of these websites also offer primers on how to lobby your federal representatives about these topics through meetings, letters, phone calls, faxes, and petitions. Local governance issues also impact people's lives, so don't discount the importance of engaging yourself in your town or city. Talk to people you know about topics that interest you; engage in community debates. You don't have to run for office to have a say in how your government works, but you do have to educate and involve yourself. As with everything else, there are hundreds of web resources available; I've just highlighted a couple here.

Fundraisers
Another fun way to contribute is to participate in charity runs like Race for a Cure. These events sometimes have a run/walk option for those less physically inclined, so you don't have to be a track star to join. Many organizations will require a fee from participants, who are also asked to solicit donations. This money will cover the organization's expenses and go towards the cause. To make the event a fun activity, you can gather a group of people to run or walk with you and raise money together.

Some organizations also hold social fundraisers such as comedy nights, performances, and speeches by well-known figures. Although the attendance fees can be high, remember that the money will go towards a good cause, so you can have a good time and contribute at the same time.

If you'd rather not attend these fundraisers or run marathons, take the classic route and donate! When groups send mailers to you asking for money, don't just throw them aside. Research the organization and the cause, and if you can, donate. In order to effect change, groups need money, and for nonprofits, finding the funds to continue their work can be difficult. Donations are what keep these organizations running.

Personal Practices
Besides consuming goods responsibly, you can also use them responsibly. For example, turning off the lights when not in use, taking short showers, washing dishes by hand, and wearing more layers instead of turning up the heat will all help to lower your utility bills and to save our planet's resources. The tips your elementary school teacher taught you about conservation still apply! Outside of the home, you can choose public transportation or carpooling over driving, and if you live close enough to your destination, try walking. Not only will you reduce your energy consumption, but you'll keep yourself healthy at the same time. Acting responsibly can make an immediate impact on your life in addition to a long-term effect on the world.

However, no matter how little you buy and use, you'll still generate trash. Reduce our landfill usage by recycling! Ink and toner cartridges, paper, glass, plastic, and aluminum can all be recycled. For toxic items like paint that can't be recycled, dispose of them safely. Many towns and cities have waste disposal days on which you can bring whatever hazardous material you have to a site, and they'll take care of it cleanly and safely. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests that you consider giving your leftover hazardous products to a permanent collection facility; that way, other people can use the cleaning products or insect sprays and reduce waste.

The average United States resident generates 4.5 lbs of waste each day and consumes so many resources that, were everyone to consume like us, we would need 5.5 planets to sustain our lifestyle (MyFootprint.org). Maybe one person's daily decisions won't make a visible impact, but when more people join, our actions add up.

You've already made a difference through your campus work, but here's your chance to extend that through the rest of your life. Remember, living responsibly doesn't require an excessive commitment. While some options do ask for more time or money, there are plenty of ways to make a difference simply by making responsible decisions on a daily basis. I have only listed a few resources here, but there are many more, both online and in real life. In college, there are so many groups catering to every topic and demographic that it's easy to get involved, but staying involved after college can be easy, too - I've learned that it just requires a little effort.