Nowadays, it is very difficult to get a job without a college degree. Our ever-increasing demands on student academic performance have ensured well-educated adults, but we have failed to focus on the vital component of volunteerism as an integral part of raising well-rounded adults. Students should be required to complete a year of community service/volunteering before they can graduate, in order to develop mature, caring adults and all-around future leaders. By requiring all students in the United States of America to add an extra year to their studies and use that year only for community service/volunteer work, we will be able to increase their knowledge of community needs, of civic responsibility and giving them the opportunity. to gain experience and skills applicable to their future. The recent global financial crisis has significantly increased the urgent need for volunteers at all levels of society. Additionally, this recession has exposed the reality of not only our current socio-economic environment, but has also revealed the importance of continuing to educate all members of our society about the importance of community outreach through volunteering ; Many of these local nonprofits have taken a major hit to their budgets due to significantly reduced corporate contributions to offset their daily operational costs. These organizations are not only dependent on economic support, but they also depend and rely heavily on the continued involvement of their volunteers. In addition to the significant reduction in financial resources, these organizations have suffered drastic reductions in their services, community activities and employment opportunities, which has had a serious and direct impact on our society. This is for middle of paper......transfers and graduation hours needed while volunteering and giving back to the community. “…If you love children and are good at arts and crafts, you can visit children's hospitals and organize art activities with pediatric patients” (“Volunteer”). As you can now see, volunteering is not limited to just one form; there are many options when it comes to volunteering. Some will say that graduate students have learned everything they need to during their years of schooling, which is false. Although students typically have sixteen years of college education, not all have had sixteen years of life lessons and character development. Volunteering not only benefits the community or organization, but also the person participating in the activity. “Volunteering gives you the opportunity to change people’s lives, including your own” (“Volunteering”).