ALT-1 Benefits of Volunteering
During tough economic times, it can be difficult to find a job. When paying jobs are scarce, working as a volunteer can be very beneficial for your career. Volunteering is a great way to help other people and to learn important job skills. Although you will not be compensated with money for volunteering your time, volunteering will pay off in several different ways.
Networking is helpful for people who want to make contacts with different people that could help them with their careers, and volunteering helps provide several opportunities to network with others. Volunteering in the field you are hoping to work in will help you to get familiar with leaders in the industry. You will also be able to learn from experienced individuals who can give you advice about how to succeed in the industry. When people in the industry that you want to work in see that you are volunteering your time to offer assistance to a company or organization, they will most likely be impressed with your dedication. Many high-profile careers were initially launched through volunteering at television stations, newspapers, community theatre, public relations departments and many other workplaces.
Volunteering is also a great way to decide whether or not specific careers are suitable for you. You might think that you would love to be a nurse, but how do you know for sure if you should pursue a career in nursing? Volunteering at a hospital will give you a larger picture of what a career in nursing would be like and whether or not it is worth it to you to pursue your education getting qualified to work in the field. Through volunteering, you can also get a better sense of what your career strengths and weaknesses are and what you need to do to improve yourself to become a better candidate for the career you are considering working in. High school students should especially consider volunteering so that they have a better idea about which post-secondary school programs they should apply to. Volunteering experience also looks very good on job resumes and cover letters and the people who you worked for as a volunteer can be job references for you when you apply to paying jobs.
If you think that you don’t have much time to volunteer, make an effort to restructure your schedule to make time for volunteer work. Even if you volunteer only one day per week or sporadically throughout the year, your volunteering efforts will give a company or organization some much needed help and support. Not only can volunteering be beneficial for your career prospects, doing something that helps other people can boost your self-esteem and help you find your purpose in life. Sometime in life, before we reach the heights of our careers, we must first pay our dues. Volunteering is a wonderful way to contribute to society, learn more about yourself, and develop a strong work ethic at the same time.
