OLC Volunteer Spotlight: Jason Yeh

Jason Yeh is a 3rd year Criminology student majoring in police studies and is working towards a forensic science certification. Besides studying and looking for work, Jason doesn't forget about volunteering and giving back to his community. He currently works as a volunteer patrol for the Kerrisdale-Oakridge-Marpole Community Policing Centre, Web Administer for SFU.Kstorm and a General Executive for SFU Club for the Cure. Jason also volunteers his time writing motivational blogs for the OLC to inspire readers like you to live life the way you want to live it.

On Volunteering with the OLC

Q. What made you first want to start volunteering?

My mother is a huge part of what I believe in now. From an early age, she was very adamant in making sure my brother and I understood how lucky we were. Like every parent, she would tell us to clear our plates to avoid wasting food because of starving children in Africa. But she would also engrave in our brains that we are blessed with good health and unbelievable amount of opportunities. With these two things, she told us to make sure we use them to help others and to improve ourselves. It is because of my mom that the concept of progression has become such a central part of my life and belief.

There is something magical about volunteering – you help others and progress yourself. I learned this once I started my first volunteer position at Canadian Blood Services in Grade 10. It was during the summer and I was lucky enough to be offered a Hospitality Service position at the Oak Street clinic, with literally no experience at all. Although not exactly a challenging job, handing out cookies and ensuring safety of donors, it was satisfying and a great learning experience. As the position wrapped up at the end of summer, I enrolled in the Work Experience course offered at my high school, where students are given opportunities in various fields while completing 100 hours of volunteer work.

Q. What initially got you interested about OLC?

At the end of the Passport To Leadership (a wonderful workshop) at SFU, participants were asked to give a presentation about what they found useful from session topics taught and how they would apply these concepts. After just launching my motivation personal blog Brave-Up two weeks prior to the presentation date, I decided to use this opportunity to share how I took control of my life and became a leader, while shamelessly advertising my blog. After the presentations, the workshop facilitators recommended me to connect with OLC to share my blogs. Not knowing what OLC was, I took their advice and looked OLC up. Realizing that there were not too many articles on motivation and personal development available for students, I became motivated to publish my posts on OLC in hopes of helping others strive to become the best version of themselves. I sent my volunteer application the same night, and that's how I got started with OLC.

Q. What did you enjoy the most or was the most rewarding part about volunteering in this position? What are some of the challenges new volunteers can expect from the position?

We are all part of the same community and we are all playing the same game of life. Although every single one of us starts and ends the game of life the same, the story of how we reach the end will be different. The knowledge and experiences we all go through are unique to us. The only way someone else can get a glimpse of your story is when you share it in some medium. One medium is through writing. By writing about your knowledge and experiences on the OLC, you are allowing others to get a peek of your story. The rewarding part of this is when someone finds value in your writing. But making sure your stories bring value to the reader is also a challenge because it may be hard to know what your readers find useful or valuable at times.

Q. In your opinion, how can becoming an OLC volunteer help students with their future career goals?

Every volunteering experience is valuable and an asset in achieving your career goal.

Q. What skills can SFU students gain from this volunteer position?

Writing. How often do students write leisurely? Never. This is your chance to actually write about something you are passionate about.

On Getting Involved in the Community

Q. What advice would you give to students looking to become more involved at SFU and in the community?

SFU has a wide variety of student clubs and community organizations that are always looking for dedicated and passionate individuals. Not only will you gain practical skills and experiences, you will also make a real impact on the world. Use your time for things that actually matter to you, because once time has passed you cannot get it back.

"It is observed that successful people get ahead in the time that other people waste." – Henry Ford

Looking for tips on improving yourself and achieving your dreams in life? Check out Jason's blog series.