When Connor Lang looks back on his journey from Youth Central volunteer to master’s student in neuroscience, he sees a journey of learning and growth that began with a simple decision to volunteer alongside a friend. Today, Connor spends his days in a lab at the University of Calgary, where he examines brain slices under microscopes and makes different cells glow to study the effects of Parkinson’s disease. But the skills that make him successful there, such as collaboration, empathy, and adaptability, were honed years earlier through volunteering experiences that taught him to be a much more thoughtful human being.
Throughout his academic journey, Connor has continually returned to the lessons he learned as a volunteer. When an unexpected surgery interrupted his undergraduate studies and forced him to extend his degree by a year, he was initially frustrated. But volunteering had taught him to think about and reflect on the experiences of others, developing empathy. That same empathy, he realized, desperately needed to extend inward. The experience forced him to be patient with himself, to be versatile in his thinking, and taught him that flexibility with others ultimately starts with flexibility with yourself.
Undoubtedly, Connor’s experience with Youth Central has been pivotal in shaping his current path. He explains more below:
How did you first get involved with Youth Central?
A friend of his from school was volunteering and wanted company. He then signed up, thinking they would do projects together, but unfortunately, their schedules never aligned. Even though that plan didn’t work out, he was able to become a part of a community that would shape so much of what came next.
What is your favourite Youth Central memory?
Connor’s favourite Youth Central memory is the summer he spent with Camp Bonaventure. He poured hours into something meaningful while working alongside friends. There was one camper in particular that he supervised who had communication disabilities, and over time, they built a genuine connection. Seeing that he could make a profound difference in someone’s experience was profoundly impactful and equally highlighted the importance of community and friendship.
What is your biggest takeaway from your time volunteering?
“Youth Central taught me to be mindful.” He noted how it is always so easy to go through the motions, be it through stacking hours or checking boxes, but instead of that, “The program pushed me to think about why I was doing things and how I was doing them.” This illustrates the difference between someone who simply volunteers and someone who thinks deeply about how their actions ripple outward.
How did your experience with Youth Central help shape the path you’re on today, especially as you explored neuroscience and research?
Connor found Youth Central to be fundamental in shaping his path by serving as the foundation for his introduction into teamwork, given his research roles. “My research at the University as a student has definitely benefited from that previous experience with collaboration and working toward something common.”
What is one piece of advice for youth who feel unsure about their future?
“Plans are supposed to change. It’s impossible to accurately plan even one year in the future what you will do after university. Until you have collected all the information, you don’t know what the best decision will be.” Connor noted how his unexpected surgery reinforced this message in his life and how life is full of moment-to-moment decisions. This highlighted how essential it is to allow ourselves to shift directions as our interests evolve, as that is not a display of failure, but instead, growth.
What are you most excited about right now?
Connor is most excited about his work and school life, as he is working towards his master’s. He is equally keen on learning various techniques in the field of neuroscience, such as a technique called immunohistochemistry. This is where researchers can make different parts of brain tissue glow at specific wavelengths, so under a microscope, they can see exactly where certain cells are. Outside the lab, he plays hockey with the Calgary Inclusive Hockey Association, and he is helping organize the Western Cup this April, which is a tournament celebrating inclusivity for the queer community.
A Final Reflection
Connor sees Youth Central as something irreplaceable, as a program that offered leadership opportunities to Calgary youth in a way that nothing else does. For him, it built the foundation for almost every area of his adult life. His advice to current volunteers is simple: be mindful of your time in the program. Pay attention to what you’re learning, not just what you’re doing. Whether you end up in neuroscience or somewhere you haven’t imagined yet, those lessons will follow you, and they’ll make whatever you build that much stronger.