I used to believe that feeling lost meant I wasn’t doing enough. Being a freshman at USC facilitates consistent feelings of homesickness, isolation and even uncertainty about my future. Thus, prioritizing my career was my way of feeling fulfilled through tangible success. 

USC, like many elite institutions, holds an unspoken narrative that prioritizes a culture of achievement. We’re taught to maximize every moment: whether through joining student organizations, attending career fairs or consistently striving to be the best version of ourselves before entering the workforce. But what if success isn’t tangible? 

Somewhere in this productivity-oriented nature, the idea of giving back has become neglected. Simply, impactful activities are being overshadowed by the pursuit of career experiences. Our priorities are becoming entirely self-driven, and altruism is seen as secondary. While there is no prominent issue with ambition, the problem is rooted in what we leave behind in the process. 

Yet, if you look deeply, service learning can have significant positive effects. For instance, it boosts serotonin, improves focus and provides a sense of purpose. 

According to an article from the Mayo Clinic Health System, research demonstrates that volunteering leads to lower rates of depression and anxiety, particularly for people 65 and older. Furthermore, according to the Social Security Administration, volunteering opportunities can promote skills necessary for jobs, such as leadership or networking, or even more specific skills such as budgeting and food service. Ultimately, through assisting others, we learn hands-on skills that can mirror our career ambitions.

One of USC’s values is to prioritize service, writing on its website that “community service is part of our DNA.” The administration takes steps to ensure service is incorporated into our academic life through organizations such as the Prison Education Project or the Joint Education Project — both promote equal opportunities for every student, allowing students to take initiative. The existence of these programs alone is not enough; rather, students must take individual initiative to engage with them. A disconnect currently exists between what USC promotes and what students truly prioritize.

The University highlights these service-oriented values during orientation, yet students quickly formulate a different set of expectations once classes begin. The emphasis shifts entirely to research, networking, internships and academic excellence — all of which are essential to individual development, but often at the expense of consistent civic engagement. 

At a time when our schedules are packed with self-promoting priorities, making room for service is more essential than ever. As students, we must incorporate such altruism into our day-to-day activities.

Growing up, whenever I felt lost, I would volunteer alongside my peers. Through long shifts at my local food bank or working with children, I found myself feeling grounded, knowing that my work was uplifting the lives of others around me. Now, service is being seen as optional since there is a false narrative that volunteering holds no benefits, emphasizing the gradual shift to an ego-fueled society. 

We must ask ourselves: how do we truly learn, if not by helping others? Volunteering allows us to encounter perspectives we may otherwise never consider. It reminds us of our privilege and responsibility, and it challenges us to grow both professionally and personally. Students develop social communication skills and gain sensitivity to different perspectives, which are critical life lessons often not emphasized in the classroom. 

Success isn’t defined solely by how stacked our resumes are. Rather, success is found in how much we learn from those around us as well as how that learning shapes who we become. The most life-changing lessons emerge from altruism, which requires empathy, humility and connection. Through these lessons, we can discover the purpose and meaning behind our college experiences — a simple solution for recurring feelings of disconnection. 

Altruism isn’t always convenient, and it does not come with a title or a tangible reward. But if we choose to prioritize giving back, we can undo subconscious egoism while concurrently uplifting our ambitions.