Volunteer Work

Why Volunteer?

Volunteer work gives you the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to those in need, while allowing you to observe and try out different professions. Although volunteer work is not paid, it's important to keep your commitment, to call in advance when you are unable to meet your commitment, and while on the job, to take your volunteer work as seriously as a paid job. Acting professionally and demonstrating your dedication will lead others to think highly of you, and will allow you to leave the position on good terms.

Volunteering Is Admirable

Volunteer work is different from an internship. In an internship, you are working either for free or for a small wage to learn about a particular career. Volunteer workers are viewed as people who want to make a difference and are generous, committed, and confident. After all, you are acting on a principle that you have something to give and you are willing to share it.

What You Can Learn

Volunteer service allows you to explore different and undiscovered aspects of yourself. You may interact with different types of people, in different settings from those you're familiar with, and you are given the opportunity to polish skills that you have and possibly learn new skills. You get to observe and participate in different types of work and see if you are interested in pursuing it as a career. If your work performance is good, you will leave with a strong recommendation and a good letter of reference, both of which are very useful assets in your job hunt. You may even leave with a future job offer!

Volunteering is an excellent opportunity to network. Volunteer work, in and out of your field of interest, adds a huge plus to your resume in your GAcollege411 Resume Builder. Your experience may provide a conversation starter at an interview or it might give you a basis to evaluate a future employer.

Finding Volunteer Work That Is Right for You

Ask yourself the following questions:

• What do I care about?
• What problems have I seen that cause me to say, "Somebody should do something?"
• What touches my heart?
• What skills and talents do I possess that I can share with others?
• What skills do I want to gain or improve upon?

Everyone can find a way to be of service. Something as basic as the fact that you read and write means that you can teach other people to read and write, or that you can read aloud to the hearing impaired or at a children's story hour. You can be of service by serving food or sorting clothes in a homeless shelter. If you are good at a sport, you can volunteer to teach younger kids the sport, or volunteer at Special Olympics. Virtually any organization can use you to answer phones and help with mailings. Any special talents such as playing an instrument or computer skills can be put to good use. The important thing is to extend yourself.

Volunteering Resources

You can find links to organizations with more information regarding volunteering by, clicking here.