When Ken started at Langara, he attended Orientation and what caught his eye were the orange shirts people were wearing. “I remember being curious about the volunteers wearing orange shirts and thinking that one day I would like to give back and contribute to the Langara community in the same way. I signed up for VOLT and my curiosity turned into a true passion for connecting with others through volunteerism.”
Ken is a second-year computer science student but spends as much time as possible volunteering. “VOLT provided me with an opportunity to volunteer and contribute to the Langara community, which is one of the things that I'm most proud of.”
In early 2021, Ken was given the role of project captain and led his team in developing a book reading event. While volunteering with VOLT, Ken has been able to not only build his social network but also improve his soft skills.
Ken’s favourite part of volunteering with VOLT is the people. “I’ve made great connections with many VOLT staff and volunteers and I feel like it’s going to be a lifelong relationship. The first time I volunteered with VOLT was in 2020 at the Langara Connect events. I was a little nervous and wasn’t sure if I would be good at leading the virtual events, but I ended up having so much fun. Time flies when you are connecting with other students and engaging with them.”
As a tip for new students thinking about joining VOLT, Ken says that trying is the first step. “Just try and do a little bit of volunteering because you never know what's going to happen. Based on my experience, trying out something new can be helpful in determining your value and your interest in volunteering as well”.
This year for National Volunteer Week, the theme is the value of one, the power of many. When asked what that means, Ken says "the value of one, the power of many means stronger community through engagement. Connecting with others in a positive and sincere way enhances one’s sense of belonging and well-being. A sense of accomplishment and growth in a personal and professional way is a bonus while engaging with others."