Volunteering: How to Make a Difference and Boost Your Resume
At NSHSS, we believe that volunteering can make a big difference in your life and the lives of others around you. Being a volunteer in any community or industry is a fantastic way to grow both your resume and experience, as well as your perspective about the world around you. Whether you are working with inner city schools in after school day-care, preparing boxed meals for international organizations, or participating in events at your local retirement community, lending your time and energy to a cause for others can really boost your confidence and become a stepping stone towards a better, bright future. That is why we thought it would be helpful to break down exactly what volunteering looks like, how to get started in different areas, and how it can really help you in your future.
1. What’s It All About?
Volunteering is a very broad term. Some people only lend their time during one semester during college, while others might volunteer for years with the same organization. The term ‘volunteer’ simply means to spend time working for a cause without being paid or listed as an employee. Although this sounds similar to being an intern, it is important to note that interns typically work only for businesses and are doing so in pursuit of college credits, whereas a volunteer will typically work for a nonprofit organization, and only do it for the betterment of the organization itself. That being said, many hiring managers and college review boards do seek out people who volunteer because it shows somebody who is selfless and is willing to go the extra mile. It is important to note that no matter where you decide to volunteer, you should do it with a sense of purpose and love. You never know how much you’ll learn about yourself until you volunteer.
2. Where To Begin?
There are many ways to seek out volunteer opportunities. Some of the most common places to find them are at church, school, community message boards, and your local library. However, the internet has helped expand the volunteer chances and areas of interest. Websites like volunteermatch, volunteer.gov, and americorps.gov are great places to begin a broader search for your next opportunity. If, however, you’d rather talk with someone before hand, it is best to seek out guidance counselors, pastors, teachers, local business owners, and even your parents or guardians to get their insights and opinions on where you should volunteer your time; they are far more likely to know you and where you would fit best.
Whichever way you choose to go about it, it is important to take your time and really consider the best options for where to begin your volunteerism. If you have spent time looking on your own and getting advice and are still uncertain, you can always reach out to your friends or classmates and ask if you could join them wherever they might be volunteering. Sometimes having a friend by your side can make all the difference!
3. How Much Time?
Donating your time can be a very difficult thing, even for people as young as high school age. Between your school work, team practices, family time, chores, homework, and maybe even a part-time job, we don’t always seem to have enough time in the day. There is nothing wrong with wanting to know exactly how much time will be expected of you when you decide to volunteer. Well, the answer to this question really comes down to where and when you decide to volunteer.
If, for instance, you sign up to watch kids after school while their parents are working late, that might take up to two or three hours of your time between four and seven o’clock. Or, say you want to host a bingo night at the local retirement community. That would only take you about an hour or more one day of the week. But let’s say you sign up to pack Christmas presents for underprivileged children in Kenya during the Holiday season. Well that would take up a lot of your time during the weekends surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas. These are the types of things you should consider when looking at where to volunteer.
It is also good to talk with the director of the volunteer department of wherever you're interested in volunteering at, as they will be able to find a schedule that works best for you. But, remember, you must treat it like a job: show up on time, work hard, and have a good attitude. It will make all the difference to you and to the organization you’re working with.
4. So What Do I Get Out Of It?
It is important to understand the purpose and possibilities that come with volunteering. As mentioned above, people in the professional world will look at your resume and take strong note of any volunteer experience you have. This shows them somebody who is willing to put themselves out there and work for a cause they believe in. This type of background will take you far, because those same professionals might be more willing to hire or accept a person who is well-rounded, especially if they are familiar and excited by the type of volunteerism you do, which is also why you should look for volunteer opportunities in your field.
Besides what professionals might see, another great advantage to volunteering is what you can gain internally. As important as your resume is, your character growth is even more important than that. Volunteering your time with other people in need can really build a foundation of confidence and hardwork for yourself and your future. You might meet people your own age, or even professionals older than you who can give you advice and possibly introduce you to people in a field or company you're interested in.
There is nothing wrong with volunteering as a way to meet people, it can sometimes be the best benefit of all. Just remember that when you are volunteering, you are there for the people you are serving. It’s what happens after the hours are over that can be very beneficial to you.
In a lot of ways, volunteering is one of the most underrated and undervalued aspects of growing as a student and a young professional. By connecting with those less fortunate, as well as those in your community, you can really grow in a positive and fulfilling way. Don’t let the fear of too many time commitments steer you away from such an important adventure. You never know who you might meet, who you might help, and who might take notice of such a worthy cause. We at NSHSS value volunteerism heavily, and we know plenty of amazing places and organizations where you can lend your time and your hard work. So don’t wait any longer. Check out all the amazing opportunities awaiting you right outside your door. And be sure to explore our website for more resources, videos, and blogs, on how volunteering can help you and the world around you!