When it comes to volunteering, it’s always a good time to thank those who volunteer their time, consider becoming a volunteer, and acknowledge the positive impact volunteering has on our world. Whether you volunteer your time in ACB, a local shelter, or a place of religious worship, the benefits of volunteering go beyond fulfillment and making the world a better place. There’s no time like the present to reexamine your volunteer involvement. Do you enjoy your current volunteer commitments? Are your volunteer activities helping you build skills and expand your network? Are you considering volunteering for the first time? Wherever you are in your volunteer journey, here are some benefits to volunteering beyond giving to your community.
In a world in which climbing the career ladder can feel like an uphill battle, there is one tool that often gets overlooked: volunteering. Your work experience and academics are important on a resume, but volunteering may be the element which sets you apart from all other applicants in the stack. Employers love to see applicants who dedicate their time to a cause they believe in. It shows commitment, initiative, and a willingness to go the extra mile, all of which are outstanding qualities for a new hire to have.
Whether you are trying to land a job or you have the career of your dreams, volunteer opportunities can enhance your job performance by giving you transferable skills. Teamwork, time management, communication, and problem-solving skills can be honed during volunteer activities. Gaining experience in these transferable skill areas will make you a dependable, capable volunteer and employee. You can apply the skills you learn from volunteering to any facet of your life.
Volunteering opens doors to a world of connections and networking opportunities that can shape your career trajectory. Whether you are volunteering at a local charity event or serving on a committee of an ACB affiliate, you are building a network of contacts who could be invaluable resources in the future. You never know how things will unfold: that person you met while volunteering might be the key to your next job opportunity, or perhaps they will be the catalyst that helps you build a critical skill to add to your toolbox.
Benefits of volunteering are numerous, but what matters most is the passion volunteers have for their work. After all, you are providing this work for free, so it should resonate with you personally. Whether you are passionate about disability advocacy, mentoring, or environmental conservation, the cause you contribute your time to should ignite your passion. When you are genuinely interested in the cause you are supporting, volunteering does not feel like another item on the calendar – it feels like a rewarding experience.
Volunteerism is not just about giving back to the community. It is also about investing in yourself, building connections, and honing skills that will serve you well in your personal and professional life. Find a cause that speaks to your heart and unlock a world of opportunities through the transformative power of volunteerism.