Volunteering can help advance your career.

A volunteer is someone who works without being paid because it fulfills a personal or community need.

Volunteers are represented in every age, income level, ethnic and occupational group. Successful volunteers are committed, helpful, enthusiastic, optimistic, and flexible.

Volunteering gives people energy, a sense of purpose, accomplishment, and confidence. It enables them to make a positive difference, develop friendships, get a job, or have a change of pace.

Andrea volunteered at a local preschool and learned she didn’t have enough patience for this type of work. After considerable self assessment and exploration of compatible volunteer options, Andrea used her creativity and people skills to volunteer at a local hospital flower shop.

Volunteer Options

Volunteers help with varied worthwhile causes from serving food in a soup kitchen to building bridges abroad.  What interests you?

– Arts/Culture

– Children/Adolescents/Adults/Elderly

– Pets/Wildlife

– Sports/Recreation

– Elderly

– Homeless/Poor

– Disabled

– Environmental/Natural Resources

– Emergency/Disaster Assistance

– Agriculture

– Political/Civic

– Health/Medical

– Engineering/Technical

– Business/Trade

– Media and Public relations

– School/Education

– Religious/Spiritual

– International Service

–  Other

What’s right for you?

To have a positive volunteer experience, know why you want to volunteer and what you have to offer. Ensure there’s a good fit between you and the volunteer activity.

Make an inventory of your abilities, strengths, interests, needs, values and purpose. Identify skills you want to capitalize upon or develop.  Match your personal qualities to desired volunteer opportunities. Explore volunteer options.

Identify activities you can and will do, and how much time you can offer. Know whether you want to work as a team member, a leader, or prefer one-to-one interactions.

Don’t fret if you think you have nothing to offer, or lack money. A willingness to help is all that’s needed. Many organizations offer complimentary training. They also provide materials, transportation and out-of-pocket expenses.

If time is an issue, don’t make a long-term commitment. Consider a special project and agree to give a few hours a week for a time period. If you must stay close to home or lack transportation, do telephone-contact work, write or keep records.

Consider volunteering with an organization to which you already belong. Investigate schools, nursing homes, civic organizations or religious institutions. Talk with your company human resources department. Many employers encourage employees to volunteer. Some give employees time off, or donate money, services and materials to community causes.

Peruse the internet, local newspapers, phone book, store bulletin boards, public libraries and community service agencies to identify groups requiring help. Talk with the local United Way, religious group or social action committees. Consider an international organization. If you have a burning cause, start a group and develop a program to address it.

Prepare a resume to help the volunteer coordinator match you to program needs.  Include previous volunteer work on your resume. Consider a section called “Community Service” or integrate volunteer work into the “Work Experience” section. Though unpaid, it’s productive work.

Don’t use ”volunteer” as a job title. Instead, include job titles such as tutor, project coordinator. Describe the work in terms of accomplishments. For example, raised a sum of money, wrote press releases, supervised a staff of 10. If you have gaps in your work history, consider filling these in with previous volunteer work.

You’ll get as much out of volunteering as you put into it. In addition to making a difference, you’ll help yourself. You’ll feel worthy, have a sense of purpose, learn new skills and expand your network. You’ll have your foot in the door when a good paying job becomes available.