If the thought of adding another activity to your busy schedule seems daunting, it’s OK to ask “What’s in it for me.”
Volunteering for a good cause doesn’t just benefit the people you’re helping. Volunteering can further your career and help you feel healthier and happier!
Why Volunteer?
To explore a career field and gain experience
Regardless of your career level or age, volunteering provides an opportunity to try a career field without making a long-term commitment. It’s a great way to learn about a particular position, workplace, or cause. You may even discover your passion!
In addition, volunteering gives you the opportunity to gain experience in the field to further your skill set. Experience is something that is desired by hiring managers and hard to attain right out of college, thus becoming a volunteer is a win-win.
To learn valuable skills
Volunteering gives you the opportunity to learn skills that are essential for any job: teamwork, project planning, time management, problem solving, communication, and organization. The volunteer experience conveys information to potential employers about an individual’s abilities, such as motivation, initiative, creativity and reliability. This is particularly relevant for those with limited work experience, such as recent graduates or those making a career change.
To connect with others
Becoming a volunteer provides an opportunity to broaden your social network and make new friends. While meeting new people, you have the opportunity to enhance your social and relationship skills that are extremely beneficial for both personal and professional life.
Volunteering also offers the opportunity to cross paths with many people across the community that you otherwise would not have come into contact with. This means professional contacts, potential references, and even employment leads!
To find employment
Volunteering can help you become a stronger job candidate and create a pathway to employment. A recent study by The Corporation for National Community Service found that those who volunteered are 27% more likely to find a job after being out of work than non-volunteers.
To help others and yourself
Volunteering has been shown to increase self-confidence, decrease depression, and help sustain a happy, healthy life. Studies show that when you shift your focus from yourself to helping someone else, stress levels decrease while positive emotions increase.
Volunteering makes a meaningful difference. When you’re helping your community become a better place, you can enjoy greater well-being and an enriched sense of purpose in life.
Ready to volunteer? Check out the resources below to find an opportunity today!
http://www.allforgood.org/volunteers
http://www.nationalservice.gov/
http://www.volunteermatch.org/
http://www.pointsoflight.org/handsonnetwork
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