• Students studying engineering may find some interesting needs for their talents in helping those who are disabled, as well as in working to improve the environment.

• Just as much as they need business majors, organizations of every kind require the skills of those studying journalism and English . The newsletter I edit uses writers from all over our town, and all are volunteers. Every group and organization must communicate to their clients and constituents. Your help in producing marketing communications can be an invaluable service.

• Fine arts students may wish to consider art therapy for those with mental disabilities. For example, my wife—an Illustration major—assisted at art therapy sessions with criminal offenders while she was in college.

• Those majoring in health and recreation , may find needs for their talents at a local hospital or community recreation center. You can also assist with or coordinate projects that teach healthy lifestyles, wholesome eating habits and safe recreation.

• History students may find use for their abilities at a local historical society, museum or library.

• I have a friend who recently finished his law degree, and while in school he would give general legal advice to people at a local homeless shelter. Educating the public on basic legal issues and concepts is a tremendous way to serve, as well as learn.

• Psychology students can also begin working professionally in many ways. Activities include research, counseling and organizational work.

What Service Learning comes down to is students and teachers recognizing a community need and responding to it. Perhaps you might see such a need that you, or even your whole class, can take on. Mention those opportunities to your teachers. Take the initiative, provide leadership and make it happen.

A Few Steps You Can Take Today

1) Talk to your advisor, your professors or other people on staff at your school. Find out what kind of Service Learning opportunities are available. Ask about getting involved.

2) If you have friends who go to other colleges or universities, find out what kinds of Service Learning programs are offered at your friends' schools. This could give you some good ideas about how to start and design a similar program for your own school.

The above is an excerpt from The Last Guide to Finding a Great Internship You'll Ever Need, which is available for sale for $17 in our bookstore or for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. Students know that good experiences helps to build a good resume and that good resumes help you land interviews, yet how many of us have been shown how to interview well so that we can get hired? Written by Keith F. Luscher specifically for the job hunting students who use CollegeRecruiter.com. To get hired, you must know how to interview well. Read this book and you will. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.