The term community defined designates a group of individuals socially connected by a common interest, culture or locality. In- and out-groups are a distinct characteristic of every community, as they allow an individual to feel, to some extent, a sense of belonging or familiarity. By deciding in recent months to declare a major in family and consumer sciences, unbeknownst to me, I was joining an innovative community of family and consumer sciences majors. Seeking to complete degree requirements, build friendships, and accumulate much-needed community service hours; I decided to become a member of Winthrop's Family and Consumer Science professional organization, WINFACS. This organization, combined with my academic studies, instilled in me a growing sense of professionalism and a desire to actively engage in public and community service. Family and consumer sciences are recognized as a powerful tool to unify individuals in order to improve the lives of individuals and families. , and communities. Our core credo and ideology is to help members of society make informed decisions so that they can achieve optimal quality of life. As a member of the Family and Consumer Sciences major, I cannot imagine a better way to accomplish this task than by participating in productive acts of community service. Our courses and professional organization place a high value on volunteer service to the community and public and incorporate regular community outreach missions, instilling in us the importance of community service. In reading "Ingroup and Outgroup", I particularly connected with the idea that we, as members of society, will identify with the group we are a part of and...... middle of paper. ....tools to become a successful professional and achieve my goals of having a positive impact on individuals, families and communities. As a member of the Family and Consumer Sciences major and community, I embody the philosophies of professionalism and volunteer public service to the community. These underlying philosophies of family and consumer science have provided me with the experience and knowledge necessary to successfully navigate the professional world because I can deal effectively with multiple personalities and groups of people. A degree in Family and Consumer Sciences will ultimately provide me with the ability to extend my voice from the traditional domestic sphere to the professional sphere, which was not possible fifty years ago. I believe that voice can enable communities, individuals and families to improve the global human experience..