The Value Of Volunteering

“It takes a village to raise a child”, African Proverb

It seems that every employment ad today is looking for experience in that particular line of employment. But the problem is, how do I get experience if no one will hire me after I finish a training program?

The best way to gain that career knowledge is to volunteer. This is a great way to grow and expand a network. People you meet in this way will respect what you do. They will respect your dedication, passion, and commitment to a cause. They will see you as a hard worker and a contributor.

Here are a few more values beyond a paycheck that volunteering will do for you.

Gain Knowledge and Experience

Textbooks, classrooms and the internet are great places to learn the theories, the why’s of a job. But the how’s come from actually doing. This is where theory meets reality. Here is where you can hone your skills and make a difference while learning. You will have the opportunity to see what your chosen field is like on a day in, day out basis and talk to people as they are doing what they are doing. You’ll be able to pick up the jargon (the language) of the industry so you know what people are saying. The major benefit is when you sit down to interview, by speaking “their language” correctly, you stand out.

Cover Gaps

One way to fill in a resume is with education. This is a great way to show that one has the willingness and ability to learn. But here again, learning is theory; If everything is perfect, this is what should, could, and will happen. As we know, life isn’t perfect and that’s where volunteering comes in.

Not only does it take abstract learning and make it real, it provides the opportunity for hands-on experience. It covers gaps and can be listed in chronological order in the resume under experience. Volunteering shows drive and desire to work or help benefit others. It shows hard work, it shows that you aren’t a lazy couch potato waiting for your shows to come on.

You can volunteer at your child’s school as class parent (organizing, purchasing, communication, record keeping), at a hospital (caring, concern for others), shelter, soup kitchen, library, museum, first aid squad, fire house, police station, your place of worship, the recreation department.

This shows a person who uses time wisely and it gives you the opportunity to learn the job from the inside.

Sense of Self-Worth

Sometimes when we’re unemployed (or under employed a growing phenomenon in the US), we feel like we’re a failure. Volunteering, helping others, is a great way to counteract those feelings of inadequacy. By giving back, we can share our most precious resource (Time) and gift (ourselves) with people who need.

An increased sense of self, knowledge, practical work experience, giving back to others, these are just a few benefits to sharing our time with others.