Post-Cardinal Quarter Resources
Take advantage of these resources to reflect on your experience and plan your next steps in service once you're back on campus.
Welcome back from your Cardinal Quarter experience. We hope that you have been inspired and challenged to continue to explore ways that you can remain involved in addressing the issue(s) that you learned about and engaged with during your Cardinal Quarter.
These resources and opportunities are available for you to engage in future service and learning opportunities related to your Cardinal Quarter experience or other social issues that interest you.
Debrief & Reflect
Group Reflection Sessions
Each fall the Haas Center offers several open sessions for students to share their experience and hear stories from other Cardinal Quarter participants. Check your email once you're back on campus for information about available reflection sessions. Additionally, if your Cardinal Quarter was sponsored by another campus program/department, check with the program administrator for reflection/debrief sessions that they may be offering.
Individual Reflection
Haas Center staff and Cardinal Quarter Peer Advisors are available to meet with students individually to hear about their experience and help them consider next steps. Email program staff to set up a time to meet. If you plan to reflect independently, this article provides some possible guiding questions.
Meet with a Past or Future Fellow/Intern
As a way to reflect on your own experience, connect with another student who did a similar internship experience to share your stories and insights. Similarly, serve as a peer-mentor by sharing your experience and lessons learned with another student who is exploring and considering a similar future internship opportunity.
Symposia of Undergraduate Research and Public Service (SURPS)
Held over Reunion Homecoming, SURPS is for Stanford undergraduates to present their research, arts, senior synthesis, and public service projects to the broader university community.
Cardinal Service Notation
Students are eligible for the Cardinal Service Notation, a formal recognition of a student's commitment to service on the official academic transcript, after completing a Cardinal Quarter experience. Interested students prepare a reflection and academic integration statement. We recommend applying shortly after your Cardinal Quarter.
CAPS & The Bridge: If what you experienced during your Cardinal Quarter experience left you with questions, challenges or has reshaped your thinking, you may want to explore resources available for you through CAPS, The Bridge Peer Counseling Center, or the Confidential Support Team.
“Although social change cannot come overnight, we must always work as though it were a possibility in the morning.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior
Continue your public service engagement
Public service advising
It can be overwhelming to think about the large number of service opportunities available at Stanford and beyond. Haas Center staff can help you explore opportunities that would be a good fit for you! Visit the Bing Information and Resource Center (BIRC) at the Haas Center for walk-in advising (11:00-5:00 M-F).
Make a Cardinal Commitment
Engage with a community to address a problem or need for at least three quarters while you’re at Stanford. Visit the Cardinal Commitment page to explore opportunities.
Student organizations
There are hundreds of student organizations at Stanford. To explore the range of opportunities and identify organizations that match your interests, visit CardinalSync and search for “Community Service,” “Social Awareness,” and “Political” organizations.
Community organizations
There are many organizations in our local and extended communities that address the social issues that you care about. Utilize the following resources to explore possible organizations, and the volunteer opportunities/needs that they may have available.
Community Service Work Study (CSWS)
Participate in a significant service experience in a nonprofit or government agency while earning a portion of your financial aid award. Opportunities are available at local organizations during the academic year. Visit the CSWS page for additional information and application materials.
Alternative Spring Break (ASB) & ThanksGiving Back (TGB)
Consider leading your peers in an ASB or TGB experience focused on the issue(s) you explored through your Cardinal Quarter experience. Applications for the leadership opportunity are available each spring quarter and can be found on the ASB website.
Do another Cardinal Quarter
Explore the many ways you can engage in a second Cardinal Quarter during the academic year or summer. Visit the Cardinal Quarter page for an overview of all available opportunities.
“In a democratic society we must live cooperatively, and serve the community in which we live, to the best of our ability. For our own success to be real, it must contribute to the success of others.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
Connect your service, academic and career interests
Meet with Your Academic Advisor or Faculty Mentor
Consider meeting with your academic advisor or a faculty mentor to discuss your Cardinal Quarter experience and how it has impacted your interests, potential future studies, career aspirations, etc. They may have recommendations for you regarding possible future coursework, research, field work, etc.
Cardinal Courses
Cardinal Courses apply classroom knowledge to real-world problems. Choose from more than 150 innovative classes that integrate rigorous coursework with real-world service experience. Visit the Cardinal Courses page for additional information.
Cardinal Careers
Explore exciting and meaningful opportunities to work in the public interest, either as your primary job or in a volunteer capacity after graduation. To learn about opportunities and advising resources, visit the Cardinal Careers page.
Sharing/marketing your experience
Visit BEAM (Career Education) for workshops or individual advising opportunities designed to help you best represent your Cardinal Quarter experience on a resume or during a future interview. This page has some suggestions to get you started.
“I was taught that the world had a lot of problems; that I could struggle and change them; that intellectual and material gifts brought the privilege and responsibility of sharing with others less fortunate; and that service is the rent each of us pays for living – the very purpose of life and not something you do in your spare time or after you have reached your personal goals.” – Marian Wright Edelman