Because volunteer work tends to make people feel more socially connected, it wards off feelings of depression and loneliness. Well-rounded resumes include volunteer work. Employers know the benefits volunteer work has on their employees, and they know volunteer work can say a lot about a person. How do you make new friends once you become an adult? Volunteering can open up more opportunities to have a shared experience with someone, which is often where the best friendships blossom. The great thing about volunteer work is that there are as many ways to help as there are people.
Do you want to help children learn to read better? And if you love furry creatures, pet shelters are always looking for volunteers. Being able to volunteer several hours is usually difficult for people. There are micro volunteer opportunities you can do from your own home.
And of course, the greatest benefit of volunteering is the reason we do it at all: it makes a difference. Whatever area you are volunteering in, you are making an impact in your life, the lives of those you volunteer with, and the lives of those who benefit from your efforts. Professional benefits of volunteering. Discover a career path: Because volunteering provides individuals with new experiences, becoming a volunteer can help you discover your ideal career path.
If your volunteer work aligns with your passions, volunteering can help you determine whether a career in that field will interest you. Additionally, volunteering provides valuable career information regarding your work habits and preferences. For example, you may discover through volunteering that you prefer to perform administrative tasks as opposed to sales or performance-driven tasks.
Ultimately, volunteering can help you decide which career path to take and can help you assess your career goals. Stay up-to-date: Volunteering allows you to stay up-to-date on any changes in working society. Volunteers are able to enhance their unique skill set and learn new skills through volunteering, which is beneficial for any job. For example, if you are volunteering at a local library, you may learn how to use advanced software or more efficient spreadsheet techniques that you may use later in your career.
Provide challenges: Individuals may find that some tasks are challenging, especially if volunteering in an industry that is unfamiliar to you. In this way, volunteering can provide stimulating challenges that can help you learn new skills in order to strengthen your skill set.
Volunteering in a field that is new to you is a great way to make your resume stand out because it shows potential employers that you are willing to accept challenges. Find a job: Occasionally, volunteering may result in the volunteer being hired by the organization. When an organization is looking to hire internally, the hiring managers are likely to begin looking at internal positions such as those who have previously volunteered at the organization. Volunteering should feel like a fun and rewarding hobby, not another chore on your to-do list.
To make sure that your volunteer position is a good fit:. Ask questions. You want to make sure that the experience is right for your skills, your goals, and the time you want to spend. You should be comfortable with the organization and understand the time commitment.
Give yourself some flexibility to change your focus if needed. If volunteering overseas, choose carefully. Some volunteer programs abroad can cause more harm than good if they take much-needed paying jobs away from local workers. Look for volunteer opportunities with reputable organizations. Enjoy yourself. The best volunteer experiences benefit both the volunteer and the organization.
Or are you uncomfortable simply because the situation is new and unfamiliar? VolunteerMatch — Find opportunities that match your volunteer interests, from location to type of work. Idealist — Find volunteer opportunities in your local area or internationally.
National and Community Service — Federal organization offering volunteer positions across the U. National Service. Volunteer — Directory of environmental volunteer opportunities. Peace Corps — Offers volunteer opportunities overseas and includes a 50 Plus division.
Peace Corps. Red Cross. Why volunteer? Corporation for National and Community Service. The many ways volunteering is good for your heart — Includes resources for finding volunteer positions. Harvard Health Publications. Network for Good. This holiday season alone, millions of people will turn to HelpGuide for free mental health guidance and support.
So many people rely on us in their most difficult moments. Can we rely on you? Your role as a volunteer can also give you a sense of pride and identity. And the better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a positive view of your life and future goals.
Volunteering combats depression. Reducing the risk of depression is another important benefit of volunteering. A key risk factor for depression is social isolation. Working with pets and other animals has also been shown to improve mood and reduce stress and anxiety.
Volunteering helps you stay physically healthy. Studies have found that those who volunteer have a lower mortality rate than those who do not, even when considering factors like the health of the participants. Volunteering has also been shown to lessen symptoms of chronic pain or heart disease. I have limited mobility—can I still volunteer? Whether due to a lack of transportation, time constraints, a disability or other reasons, many people prefer to volunteer via phone or computer.
There are many projects where you can help. If you think home-based volunteering might be right for you, contact organizations you like and ask what some of the possibilities might be.
Some volunteer organizations may require you to attend an initial training or periodical meetings.
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