Life Lesson Reflection: Giving Back

It was in my early teen years when I had finally realized how it felt to give back to the community. I had begun volunteering with a non-for profit organization called Career Trek, which aims to show youth 80 different career paths in 20 weeks. Being a past Career Trek graduate myself, it was awe-inspiring to witness a younger generation experience what I had experienced when I was in fifth grade. The classes were held at the University of Winnipeg, University of Manitoba, and Red River College. The children were able to use classroom space and to learn firsthand from teachers and students from specific fields various career paths in the sciences, the arts, criminal justice, and politics, just to name a few.

I had a wonderful time being a teacher's assistant at the University of Manitoba in the Chemistry class helping the children with their labs and experiments. I also had the chance to co-teach the Drama class at the University of Winnipeg, and act as the junior campus assistant who helps to oversee the entire campus at Red River College. I could not help to see myself in so many of the children in the program. Many of the kids were inquisitive thinkers who were not afraid to try new things, and who readily gave up their Saturdays to attend the program at the campuses.


At the end of the program in April, there is a graduation ceremony that is held for all the trekkers, and it was at this ceremony when we had exchanged goodbyes that I fully realized how much of a difference I had made to these children. Many of them thanked me for helping them and teaching them throughout the program, and how even though some of them were stubborn, I had not given up on them. Beyond the program, I had developed friendships with some of the kids and it was truly heart warming and uplifting to see them grow throughout and accomplish the program, ultimately getting something out of it. For myself, I was able to make a positive contribution to the program and the trekkers, and it is something that will always bring a smile to my face.