Volunteer work provides an organization with a free resource to help it meet its mission or goals, which often include filling the gap between an individual or community's resources and those provided by the government.
I don't mean going and slaving away at a hospital (unless you are into that, then go ahead!). But the point is you can find anything to do what you want because your school is definitely looking for more hands to help in whatever you are interested in.
So without further ado: why is volunteering a must-do?
1. It brings you closer to your community!
One of the more well-known benefits of volunteering is how it impacts the community. Volunteering allows you to connect to your community and make it a better place. Even helping out with the smallest tasks can make a real difference to the lives of people, animals, and organizations in need.
One of the best ways to make new friends and strengthen existing relationships is to commit to a shared activity together. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, especially if you are new to the school. While some people are naturally outgoing, others are shy and have a hard time meeting new people. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to practice and develop your social skills, since you are meeting regularly with a group of people with common interests. Once you have momentum, it's easier to branch out and make more friends and contacts.
2. It helps with stress!
The social contact aspect of helping and working with others can have a profound effect on your overall psychological well-being. Nothing relieves stress better than a meaningful connection to another person. Volunteering keeps you in regular contact with others and helps you develop a solid support system, which helps keep stress at bay. You are doing good for others, which provides a natural sense of accomplishment. 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.
3. Helping others with nothing in return is a great learning curve!
We grow up expecting that our good behavior or actions will always bring us rewards in return but what about doing good deeds and extending a helping hand to others just because you should? Volunteering can bring a whole host of benefits to participants when it comes to boosting their job prospects or enhancing their self-confidence and skills, but it should be approached with an openness that asks for nothing in return.
4. It exposes you to different experiences out of the classroom!
I know that a lot of us, as competitive, and at the same time, sleep-deprived students, get lost in the quantity of volunteer work, but it's crucial to take a step back from the number games. Instead of boasting about how many hours you've piled up, why not talk about the things you've done? Volunteering brings out new interests, hobbies, and opinions; moreover, volunteering expands students' horizons.
5. Career options!
Charity work gives students opportunities to test out a desired career path. Concurrently, it gives them an edge on their resume. Getting involved in an organization that shares similar ideals and interests is an important step for students. At a young and pretty inexperienced age, volunteering is an excellent gateway to the workforce.
By gaining new experiences and creating new connections, volunteers are able to better visualize themselves in that field and explore the daunting question: can I see myself doing this for life? And, even if the organization you do get involved with has nothing to do with your intended career path, it might end up surprising you.
You will have an enjoyable volunteering experience if you first take some time to identify your goals and interests. What would you enjoy doing? The opportunities that match both your goals and your interests are most likely to be fun and fulfilling.
So, take a chance by getting outside of the beloved comfort zone and volunteer!
