Question

What has your current involvement in volunteerism taught you

Answer 1

A person who does something, especially helping other people, willingly and without being forced or paid to do it is a Volunteer. Volunteering is generally considered a moral activity where an individual or group provides services for no financial or social gain "to benefit another person, group or organization". Volunteering is also renowned for skill development and is often intended to promote goodness or to improve human quality of life. Volunteering may have positive benefits for the volunteer as well as for the person or community served. It is also intended to make contacts for possible employment. Many volunteers are specifically trained in the areas they work, such as medicine, education, or emergency rescue. Others serve on an as-needed basis, such as in response to a natural disaster.

Volunteering can give you the opportunity to try something new, gain experience, develop skills, improve your career prospects, build confidence and meet new people. Through volunteering you can: Take on a challenge - Getting involved in something new can be a real challenge.

Volunteering offers vital help to people in need, worthwhile causes, and the community, but the benefits can be even greater for you, the volunteer. Volunteering and helping others can help you reduce stress, combat depression, keep you mentally stimulated, and provide a sense of purpose.

Socially, the benefits of volunteering show up quickly and have long-term effects. Social interaction improves mental and physical health, according to Psychology Today. The benefits of consistent socializing include better brain function and lower risk for depression and anxiety. You also improve your immune system.

Volunteer work can broaden your experience and exposure to life where work can’t or doesn’t. Ask friends, family, and colleagues who volunteer. They’ll tell you that volunteering adds depth to their lives. Volunteering offers a space in which to gain new skills, connect with new people, experience something different, and give back to the community. It can also enable you to affirm or explore your own passions. A bonus is that it might even have a professional payoff thanks to increased skills or opportunities through your new network.

Supercharge existing skills. Volunteering also offers a way to re-connect with the working world after a break, and an opportunity to supercharge your existing talents. Unlike paid work, the requirements for volunteering are more likely to be linked to your passions and interests, rather than extensive work experience.

There are a huge range of skills you can acquire through volunteering, starting with:

• Industry-related skills
• The ability to work in a team
• Leadership
• Problem solving and adaptability
• Communicating with clients and stakeholders
• The ability to plan and prioritise work
• Sales skills
• Time management
• Report writing
• Improved interpersonal skills.

Remember that the soft skills you will learn volunteering are also highly desirable to employers.

Planning makes perfect. Treat your volunteer role search as if you are looking for a paid job. “Analyse your next career step. Do an inventory of your existing skills, find out what is missing and then seek out a volunteer role that will help plug the gaps.”

You’ll find a wide variety of volunteer roles advertised on SEEK Volunteer. “There’s something for almost everyone and some of the roles come with training.”