Why charity volunteering is one of the best ways to spend your time
9th February 2017
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'Voluntary' - the word that seems to contain an active repellent whenever included in a job advertisement. It seems in today's society that if it doesn't pay, we're not interested.
This is a sad reality for the charity sector. Charities reach out to those who need our help the most, and, contrary to popular belief - what will earn you a fat wallet won't necessarily be the most worthy use of your time.
I spend a lot of my time donating what I can to charitable organisations - whether that be a couple of coins in a supermarket collection, a tweet spreading the word for the cause, or an hour or so getting involved with events.
Here's why getting involved with volunteering could be one of the best decisions you make this year.
1. There's an opportunity for everyone
Music your thing? Then there's a festival out there with a charity partnership that would love your help. Aspiring athlete? Challenge yourself and get involved with one of the thousands of sponsored sporting events that happen every day up and down the country. Into the arts? There's all sorts of charity productions and arts festivals that need your help. It's not all about bucket shaking and cold calling - you could make a huge difference just by coming along and slapping a smile on your face.
2. Sample future careers
One of the biggest things I've noticed about volunteering is its reactivity. Often the events have so many exciting things going on at once, that its a great opportunity to stick your fingers in so many pies and collect as much experience as possible. You can even do a test run of future careers that you've been contemplating - whether it's business and events management, PR and communications or the charity sector, then this could get you some practical experience to gloat about in interviews and help you decide whether it's the right path for you.
3. Meeting incredible people
5. Add some sparkle to your CV
It's also a great opportunity to get some practical work experience and some transferable skills to pop on your CV. You can gain experience in team building, events management and preparation, taking initiative and lending a hand wherever you can, as well as exercising your empathetic skills and putting others first.
Voluntary work could be a sparkling addition to your employability profile, as the fact that you've shown such enthusiasm and commitment to a cause that doesn't offer a financial reward shows that it's not all about the money for you. Plus you could gain some useful references along the way, opening up even further job opportunities in the future.
6. Inspiring Rewards
Without sounding like a tear-jerking advertisement plea that you see on the telly, I have to say that I genuinely walk away from a volunteering with a huge smile on my face. You know that you spent your day working hard, helping out wherever you can, having fun and making a difference to somebody's life without even realising it. You're not going to have a fat wallet, but your job satisfaction levels will be fit to bursting.
Sound like something you fancy? Be a part of something amazing and get involved. There are so many possibilities around, even as close as on your university campus. Check out your student union's page or head to google for volunteering opportunities in your area. You won't regret it!
This is a sad reality for the charity sector. Charities reach out to those who need our help the most, and, contrary to popular belief - what will earn you a fat wallet won't necessarily be the most worthy use of your time.
I spend a lot of my time donating what I can to charitable organisations - whether that be a couple of coins in a supermarket collection, a tweet spreading the word for the cause, or an hour or so getting involved with events.
Here's why getting involved with volunteering could be one of the best decisions you make this year.
1. There's an opportunity for everyone
Music your thing? Then there's a festival out there with a charity partnership that would love your help. Aspiring athlete? Challenge yourself and get involved with one of the thousands of sponsored sporting events that happen every day up and down the country. Into the arts? There's all sorts of charity productions and arts festivals that need your help. It's not all about bucket shaking and cold calling - you could make a huge difference just by coming along and slapping a smile on your face.
2. Sample future careers
One of the biggest things I've noticed about volunteering is its reactivity. Often the events have so many exciting things going on at once, that its a great opportunity to stick your fingers in so many pies and collect as much experience as possible. You can even do a test run of future careers that you've been contemplating - whether it's business and events management, PR and communications or the charity sector, then this could get you some practical experience to gloat about in interviews and help you decide whether it's the right path for you.
3. Meeting incredible people
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5. Add some sparkle to your CV
It's also a great opportunity to get some practical work experience and some transferable skills to pop on your CV. You can gain experience in team building, events management and preparation, taking initiative and lending a hand wherever you can, as well as exercising your empathetic skills and putting others first.
Voluntary work could be a sparkling addition to your employability profile, as the fact that you've shown such enthusiasm and commitment to a cause that doesn't offer a financial reward shows that it's not all about the money for you. Plus you could gain some useful references along the way, opening up even further job opportunities in the future.
6. Inspiring Rewards
Without sounding like a tear-jerking advertisement plea that you see on the telly, I have to say that I genuinely walk away from a volunteering with a huge smile on my face. You know that you spent your day working hard, helping out wherever you can, having fun and making a difference to somebody's life without even realising it. You're not going to have a fat wallet, but your job satisfaction levels will be fit to bursting.
Sound like something you fancy? Be a part of something amazing and get involved. There are so many possibilities around, even as close as on your university campus. Check out your student union's page or head to google for volunteering opportunities in your area. You won't regret it!
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