Extrinsic vs. Intrinsic Motivation
Most of us are familiar with the term “extracurricular.” As a crucial part of college applications, extracurriculars are emphasized in high school as a way to pad your resume. We spend four years crafting the perfect set of activities—from sports to instruments to volunteering—yet, there is risk in doing these activities solely to enhance a resume.
Volunteering with the goal of strengthening a college application is a form of extrinsic motivation, where we expect an external reward (in this case, a college acceptance) for our efforts. Volunteering with the goal of personal growth, however, is a form of intrinsic motivation, where the reward is internal gratification. For many of us, my past self included, it might seem more logical to focus on concrete, external goals like college admissions rather than self-satisfaction. But, both extrinsic and intrinsic motivations can lead to success, so why make such a big deal about the distinction?
Avoiding Burnout
Have you ever heard of the hobby-turned-job narrative? Take an artist, for example. They may start selling their art because they genuinely enjoy it, but over time, they lose their passion because it’s now a job, not just a hobby. Jobs are not optional; hobbies are.
If we volunteer with the mindset that it will get us into college, much like a job, we start to see it as non-optional. We begin to believe volunteering is absolutely necessary for college acceptance, so we therefore rush to obtain the most hours and the maximum number of organizations. Yes, volunteering is an excellent way to enhance a resume. Yes, it can make you stand out among other applicants, giving you an edge in college admissions. But, if you view volunteering as a job rather than a hobby, you’re more likely to lose motivation.
Extrinsic motivation can only take you so far. Especially in the long journey of resume-building, the anticipated external reward is so distant that it's easy to lose motivation. To counter this, we can tap into our internal sense of gratification as a source of motivation—volunteering not because we feel obligated, but because we genuinely enjoy it.
Something for Everyone
I never thought of myself as someone who enjoys helping others. I am reserved, introverted, and prefer to work alone than in large groups. To my dismay, the fact that high-functioning volunteer organizations (like Schoolhouse!) often operate in large groups.
I began volunteering as an ESL assistant with the goal of building my resume. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone because I believed it was necessary, and I didn’t think I had a choice. But to my surprise, I fell in love with it. I was surprised to discover a passion for teaching others, something that led me to tutor here at Schoolhouse.
It’s important thing to note that I didn’t fall in love with all types of volunteering. I tried working at soup kitchens, where I washed dishes, cooked food, and loaded vans, but I quickly found that wasn’t for me. If you find yourself in a similar situation, don’t give up! The beauty of volunteering is that you can apply your skills and interests to various fields, whether it be teaching, hospitality, animal shelter work, or managing a sports club. The key is to find something that feels like a passion, not a job.
Thank you to Aigerim B for editing this article!
Sources:
- https://psychcentral.com/health/extrinsic-motivation
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35162307/