Students who engage in civic and community service initiatives often learn skills that can last a lifetime. The leadership and public speaking aspects of serving the community and engaging in worthwhile projects or causes often give teenagers an opportunity to increase their self-confidence. School clubs often carry a service component as a part of the organizational goals of the group. Student led projects are noted by educators to increase leadership skills, as well as an improvement in time management concepts.
School counselors typically furnish resource material to students that allows the prospect of increasing knowledge in an area tied into a proposed college major. Not only can participation in a project related to a future career look good on a college application, it could lead to a future internship once the teenager is college age.
According to a study conducted by the Education Resources Information Center, an increased sense of positive personality development and enhanced awareness in the welfare of others was found in students who participated in community service projects. The yearlong study also showed an improvement in a teenager's ability to complete tasks, deal effectively with adults, an overall increase in social development characteristics and problem solving skills.
A University of Michigan Civic Literacy Project showed many benefits of involvement in community service projects, and service learning initiatives. According to project researcher Diane Hedin, community service projects provide a connection between classroom learning and the daily lives of teens. Better school attendance and enhanced academic performance were also noted as positive side effects to community service projects in the Michigan study.
During separate studies in 1999 and 2008, the National and Community Service Organization determined there was an increase in academic performance at schools that offered community service components. Classroom teachers often network with civic and community leaders to enhance textbook learning with a related project within the geographic area the school serves. Some civic and community organizations offer high school companion clubs for interested teenagers. For example, the International Association of Kiwanis Club offers a "Key Club" for high school students. Through participation in the high school club, students become eligible for scholarship funds and participation in summer leadership seminars.