Chemical engineering student Adebimpe Awotundun is committed to her community.
Whether at the Pride Centre, the Free Store or the Strathcona Heights Community Garden, she鈥檚 made her name as a leader, getting involved in causes that matter to her.
Adebimpe has no regrets over her path. 鈥淭hrough these experiences, I鈥檝e seen that there鈥檚 actually a lot to gain through community engagement. You can live out and experience things that are rewarding, both for yourself and for others.鈥
Indeed, Adebimpe has grown through her volunteer work. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really made me see things from a point of view that respects the environment more, which has helped me become a consumer more mindful of what I buy and of the amount of waste material I produce.鈥
That isn鈥檛 all that she鈥檚 learned. 鈥淚鈥檝e really gotten out of my comfort zone as a team leader, which I hadn鈥檛 done before. As well, working outdoors let me face my fear of insects and parasites, and gave me a new perspective.鈥
Adebimpe has not only gained self-assurance 鈥 she鈥檚 also acquired transferable skills that you can鈥檛 necessarily learn in class but are very useful in the workplace, like leadership, compassion, organization, ease in expressing yourself and much more.
Ultimately, she encourages everyone who鈥檚 hesitant about volunteering to take the plunge. 鈥淒o it, because you can gain a lot for yourself and for others. You鈥檒l develop as an individual, a student and a citizen of the world.鈥
If you have any questions about this story or how to get involved, email us at [email protected].