You may think volunteering is just one of those feel-good activities that you’re pushed or even forced into in high school (40 hours are mandatory to graduate in Ontario) to “build character” and “give back to the community.” Ladies and gentlemen, volunteering is so much more important than you’ve been led to believe—not just for your community, but also for YOU and your career development!
Networking Opportunities
Volunteering offers you a great chance to network and make connections with some truly inspiring people at charity events, fundraisers and the like. So many different people come out to attend and support charitable events, including local community leaders and business owners—if you get to know some of them, who knows where it could lead? (Dare I say it—maybe to a job?)
You don’t even have to attend weekly meetings or spend every waking moment volunteering to get this benefit, either. Simply by getting out to support local charities—by participating in a fundraising run, for example—you get to meet some really cool people!
While you’re still in university, I’d like to point out the absolute best networking opportunity you’ll ever have: vice-president of sponsorship. Your sole purpose is to contact businesses and sell your club as a valuable asset to them.
Every single VP sponsorship I’ve ever met graduated with a job, along with two or three other employment opportunities as well.
New Skills Development
When you take time out of your day to volunteer, you open yourself to new experiences—which can help you develop new skills. When you are chair of a committee, for example, you learn teamwork, how to set up an event, how to set goals and how to manage or supervise people in a group setting. As postgraduate students with minimal work experience, you should grab any skills-building opportunity you can!
You can also practice your new skills freely in your volunteer position. You can even test out some of the things you’ve learned in class if they apply to your organization. If they’re a success, think of all the skills you can add to your resumé.
Resumé and Experience
There are so many university students out there whose resumés could use a little more meat on their bones. Volunteering is a great way to beef up your resumé if your work experience doesn’t do much to sell you. Mention all the student organizations and clubs you belong to, and try to volunteer for organizations that reflect your studies and career aspirations.
Personal Satisfaction
I don’t know about you, but it makes me feel good to help others. Seeing the smile on somebody’s face when you’ve helped them out puts a spring in your step. You can look at it selfishly and think you’ll get good karma, but you should really just enjoy the moment, and everything you’ve done.
So, there really is no excuse not to volunteer. Get yourself out there, do some good in your community and use it as a stepping stone to your future!
