How can volunteering improve your career prospects?

If you have ever taken part in volunteering, you will know about the warm, fuzzy feeling you get afterwards, the inner pride you feel for having helped other people and knowing that you have made a difference.

But did you know that volunteering can have other benefits? Ones that can help your career and make you feel even better…?

As avid volunteers ourselves, we at Open Study College want you to feel just as good as we do when we help others. Plus, we want to help further your career and we know that volunteering can do this. Here are just a few ways:

Gives you life and work experience

If you have never worked in a professional environment before, you may be unaware of protocols that take place. Volunteering allows you to experience things such as working and communicating with others, managing your time and priorities and showing commitment.

Expands your network

Surely you’ve heard the phrase ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know’… well as much as we think it helps to know about the work you are doing, it doesn’t hurt to have a few friends in the right places. Volunteering allows you to meet new people that you may have never crossed paths with, that may be able to help you in your future endeavours.

Allows you to explore various occupations and industries

There are so many career opportunities out there that it may seem daunting to just have to choose one. With volunteering, you are able to take part in a variety of industries and see what suits you best. Or perhaps you know what career you want to go in to but not the sector, volunteering will help you refine this and make an informed choice.

Builds confidence

Making the step into a working environment is a big challenge for some to take. Volunteering allows you to build up the confidence of joining a new establishment, in preparation for the real thing. Also, the sense of pride that you feel for helping others will make you feel good about yourself, therefore improving your confidence further.

If you’re thinking of volunteering, these are just a few reasons why it is beneficial. In addition, it is a great way to boost self-esteem and help others who are less fortunate than yourself. So we would definitely suggest giving it a go!

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Sharnie Carter

How can volunteering improve your career prospects?