Advantages of Volunteering
Volunteering is a useful way
to kickstart a new career, get back into the workplace after a break or
gain experience while you look for your first job.
Many people embarking on a new career have difficulty getting a foot in
the door because they have no relevant experience. Feels like Catch 22?
You can't get a job because you haven't got enough experience and you
can't get the experience without a job. It's a really frustrating position
to be in and one with which many of us can identify.
One way to break the deadlock
of this situation is to try your hand at volunteering and while you may
not really want to work for nothing, there are plenty of advantages and,
volunteering doesn't necessarily have to be full time or something you do
for a long period. Two of the top benefits of volunteering are experience
and a reference, both of which will go a long way to getting you a job in
the field of your choice. There are different ways to look at volunteering
and so it's a good idea to start out by considering two things: what you
want to gain from the experience - and what you are prepared to put back
into it.
So how should you go about finding a volunteer placement? A good starting
point would be looking in an area which will give particular skills, such
as communication or IT skills or one which will give you the experience
of working in a specific industry, for example in publishing or youth work.
You could offer to volunteer for the company you'd like to work for, particularly
if this is a charity or non profit organization, since they are more likely
to offer voluntary posts. In fact, working as a volunteer may lead to a
job, but don't expect this to happen. Even if you don't get your name on
the payroll, you'll still gain a great deal of relevant experience - often
just as much as you'd acquire in a paid job. And of course, you'll get a
reference which will help you get similar work elsewhere.
Another option is to consider working in a different field, but one which
will still give you skills needed for the job you're aiming for. Don't forget
that soft skills, such as communication skills and teamwork, are in really
big demand, with many employers complaining that new employees just don't
have them. These skills can be gained in a huge variety of settings. So
a stint as a volunteer could put you well ahead of the competition when
it comes to job interviews. So be sure to make a note of the skills you
most need to develop and keep these in mind when researching potential volunteer
placements.
There are many options open to you if you want to gain some solid transferable
skills, for
example, working in a youth club, teaching a sport to disadvantaged
kids or helping out at an old folk's home can all improve your soft skills.
If you want to work in those areas, volunteering is a great way of gaining
initial experience - and of helping you decide if it's really the field
for you. Even if you want to work in a corporate environment, you'll find
that many companies encourage volunteering and so enhancing your skills
in this way will give you a double bonus. Don't forget that with so many
more people going to university these days, employers are looking for
something extra. In addition, this type of volunteering can be fitted
in to your normal work or study schedule, as you can often volunteer at
weekends or for an evening or two a week.
If you are really stuck in a rut and would like an adventure to get your
life moving in a more positive direction, why not do something really
challenging and radically different from what you are used to? How about
a few months abroad helping on a disaster relief or environmental project,
or teaching in a poor area in another part of the world? There are plenty
of parts of the world which are crying out for help and you will gain
immeasurable benefits. If you planning a career as a high flyer in business,
this type of experience will develop your leadership qualities, particularly
in areas such as risk taking, problem solving, and the ability to work
under pressure. If you find yourself stuck, bored and unmotivated, get
your bags packed and create an adventure.
© Waller Jamison 2006
For a free e-course on career change go to: Free Course
I will be adding new articles to this site on a regular basis. If you would like to be notified when a new article has been posted, please fill in the form below and hit submit.
Back to top of Benefits of Volunteering