Web Design as Community Service

kevin0095
Wed, 20 Apr 2011 21:30:28 +0000

Hi,
I am guessing this is a bit off topic from most of the topics currently in this forum since final college decisions are coming up soon.

Anyway, I am currently a sophomore in highschool. I am looking to get involved in some type of community service. Ideally I want to make my own thing.

I have a strong interest in computers, and came up with the idea to offer web design services to downtown small businesses in my town.

I am looking to probably due Computer Science in college, or economics, or both.

I am sure I will be able to get plenty of hours from it, my question is how do you think it would look to colleges to say I spent X amount of hours helping out local businesses with web design, especially if I have an interest in computer science/other computer related things.

My parents don’t seem to very supportive at this point. They don’t think it is really “community” service. They think I should look to do something for under privileged children or disabled children. Or do something to help the needy such as working at a soup kitchen.

Yes I could probably do that, but my idea is something I would enjoy doing and have a strong interest in. It would also give me some general experience in web design stuff.

In terms of my experience, I plan to use Adobe Dreamweaver. Right now my skills are pretty basic but I plan to self teach myself from a book or two for the next month or two if I really get myself set on the idea.

Are my parents right? Or is it a viable community service options? What do you think colleges will think from that?

Thank you very much.