How volunteering will make you a better (employed) person:
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that you should be volunteering. Chances are good that it’s even on your list of things to do once you have more time, or once you have a job, or once you graduate. But leaving it for later could be the worst career mistake you make.
Build your skills:
Remember when you were applying for college and every form asked you if you had done any volunteer work? That’s because volunteering shows initiative, commitment and even a budding skill set. It’s also something for colleges to brag about what their students are doing.
Once you’re preparing to enter the ‘real world,’ though, questions about volunteer work become less common and questions about internships flood the scene. For many students who had heavy class loads or were juggling a full time job and online university classes, this can be a terrifying question. If you managed to make it through only one internship, the future may look a little bleak and washed out.
Don’t worry too much, though. There’s a great replacement for internships: good old volunteering. If you choose a volunteer opportunity wisely, you can practice what you know and learn a new skill. If you’re looking for somewhere to practice the cello, for instance, contact nursing homes, schools and hospitals. Gather a few friends and start a philanthropic orchestra. Playing in the ‘Nellie’s Nursing Home Notes’ group is better than saying you haven’t touched your instrument since college.
Communications majors can always find work at charities. Smaller nonprofits are likely very understaffed, and many couldn’t dream of finding a dedicated writer. If you’re just looking to keep current, write press releases and advertisements for them. Public relations majors can even publicize and plan events.
If you want to learn a new skill, though, take a crack at grant writing. Writing grants may not be glamorous, but it is in fairly high demand for an English-based skill, and it ties directly into the lifeblood of an organization. Without grants, most organizations would immediately have to close their doors. Write enough of them, and they may be able to afford to put you on staff.
Network your ties:
People who volunteer tend to love it. If you come in with a sunny disposition and a drive to work and learn, chances are good they’ll love you too. Volunteering has a host of positive side effects, and most of them revolve around positive attitudes toward fellow mankind and the work itself.
Ideally, the best time to catch someone to ask if they know of a good job opening is when they’re happy with life and with you. See where this is going? Ask people you’re volunteering with if they know of an open spot, and they’re much more likely to do everything they can to help you.
In a creative way, volunteering preps people for networking. It puts them in the mindset of doing everything they can for other people, even those they don’t even know well. Take advantage of your feel-good moment with the people around you, and you may wind up with a job faster than you can format your résumé for Career Builder.
However you decide to use volunteering to find a job, be sure you’re being honest and upfront with organizations about your situation. Who knows, they even may find themselves with an open spot for you to fill.