These badges are definitely important in reminding you about how far you have come and how much impact your contributions to Google Maps have made. I have successfully unlocked all milestone badges after a long period of contributions.
Once, someone told me about how they saw me on Adeola Odeku Street at Victoria Island in Lagos, Nigeria “walking aimlessly”. But they had no idea what I was doing clicking away every 10 seconds with my phone. 
It often felt like a gamified system with little or no impact for many, but for over 5 years of feeding data to Google Maps, I’ve seen firsthand the end results - they come very handy for every industry and most importantly, for EVERYONE!
• For the PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED - accessibility information on wheelchair ramps, wheelchair-accessible parking, etc.
• For the FOODIES - photo-worthy dishes and restaurant interior shots.
• For the ADVENTURE SEEKERS & PICNIC LOVERS - exotic beachfront photos and hiking trails.
• For the MULTI-CITY TOURISTS - hotel lists, prices, up-to-date information, navigable directions and pictures around towns
For all other categories of individuals not mentioned, there’s always something to look out for.
I’ve always had serious frustration at when data/information is not easy to reach especially when you need them the most and I believe you can understand my point of reference.
If you’ve once been in my shoes, you’ll quickly understand how frustrating it is when you search for a place on Google Maps for direction and info, and you end up getting none with a discouraging message: “No results found”.
Imagine you needed to research your interview location and get vital information about parking space/fees, accessibility or distance and you’re not able to do so in the age of technology!
If for anything, I have come to realize how important volunteering is, even when there are no immediate rewards/benefits, although the long term benefits are there for people. It’s also interesting how much knowledge you can acquire. I have learned a lot and still learning just by helping others by adding useful information to Google Maps.
Once you begin, it becomes difficult to stop. Why? Because everyday, the world is changing: new events, new discoveries, new everything in short! Again, once you begin, access to additional knowledge, tools and opportunities will flood in.
From basic photography skills to advanced Street View technology, I have added more expertise than I would have studied in school and paid millions for. Now, I know how stuff works and how to improve and make them better. These things I couldn’t have learned anywhere else.
Through the flagship volunteer programme by Google, known as LOCAL GUIDES for Google Maps, anyone can simply add up-to-date information when they’re missing or obsolete from the comfort of their smartphones anywhere in the world.
No longer does the world rely on limited data for everything when you can simply add more for everyone’s good. Remember, it’s not for how much you can benefit, but how much others can benefit from you and how much you can benefit from yourself.
I am so proud to have joined this project from my university days as an extracurricular activity. Not also forgetting the very many great people I’ve met through this programme…
Baseline is, in the quest for education and anything else in life, volunteering is important. Although it is variable, it comes at a price but fetches great rewards thereafter.
memme just Lee you.
. You already graduated and I hope to graduate this year…