It feels odd looking back only 5 years to write this post, but weirdly enough there is a lot I learned when I was 22 that I know can be helpful to a new generation. I had just graduated college from the University of Tampa and was contemplating my next steps. At the time all I knew was that I wanted to live in D.C.—it was a childhood dream. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do or how I would get there, but I knew I wanted to make a positive impact.

As I searched online for something different than the typical grad school right after undergrad or immediate work life, City Year became an enticing option. It was an opportunity to not only work with students who needed that extra push to reach their full potential, but it was also an opportunity to push myself out of my comfort zone in a challenging and diverse environment.

I ended up serving in City Year Washington D.C. City Year is a national service program that pairs young adults with opportunity youth in urban and rural schools across the country and world for a year of service. This program allowed me to mentor and teach students from an array of backgrounds as well as work with other amazing and idealistic young adults seeking to change the world. This was an experience that made me realize how much we can give back in the form of our gifts, talents, sweat, and tears.

Many times we do what is comfortable or safe. We do what is easy or comes natural. But what I learned then and continue to learn now is that we are at our best and most innovative when we step out of the comfort of routine and safety to explore new dimensions of our lives, new opportunities, and most importantly, when we are serving others for the better. So for those who are graduating college or even high school, I implore you to do something unexpected. Take a year or two off to travel and see the world (something I have yet to do) or serve in City Year or a similar AmeriCorps program.

By serving others you will not only be doing a service to those in need, but it will also give you a different and enlightening world view. One in which that forces you to ask smart questions, to think before you speak, to act out of love, not spite and ultimately, to grow into a better citizen. #IfIWere22