The Untapped Benefit of Volunteering

Find a cause today that you are passionate about and start contributing.

I view volunteering as an act of giving your time and energy and when applicable money to a cause without the expectation of some form of reimbursement. Causes can include anything that has to do with helping children, animals, the community, the environment, etc. Many people are already happily donating their volunteer efforts to causes throughout the year with the sole focus of improving the lives of others or some other aspect of the world around them.

What is often overlooked is that volunteering can also provide opportunities in career development. People often think that the only way to grow in their career is to get professional development on their job. What happens when those opportunities don’t exist within your current responsibilities? One way to gain those desired skills is to utilize volunteer opportunities.

Find a position within a volunteer opportunity that allows you to work on skills that you want to get experience in but are not able to get through traditional means. It can still be something that you are passionate about and you will have the added benefit of knowing that you made a difference in the lives of other’s while growing personally and professionally.

For example, let’s say that you want more experience in project management but you don’t have the ability to do so through traditional means (e.g. work). Most likely, there are volunteer positions in events, local charities, non-for profit organizations, etc. in your area that are in need of project management assistance. Reach out to the leaders of these activities to see how you can play a project management role in their endeavor and what is needed from you in this role. This will allow you to learn the craft, strengthen your expertise and improve the community.

Given that this is a skill you have very little to no experience in; there are a number of ways that you can develop yourself as you go through the experience.

• Learn from others: Reach out to someone who has relevant experience in this skill to see if they can mentor you.
• Be Proactive: Do your own research and learn about what skills, responsibilities and expectations are typically associated with this skill.
• Make a development plan for yourself: Determine what you want to accomplish in this experience, what you need to learn, how you are going to learn it and how you are going to determine success.
• Once your plan has been created: create your goals, action items and due dates.
• Keep track of your growth: Monitor key milestones and learning’s.
• Determine what’s next: How can you take this skill to the next level? What tasks, activities or responsibilities can you do next to achieve further growth?

Are there any causes that you are currently involved in that offer this additional benefit? If not, start searching. There are causes throughout the world that are always in need of help. You’ll find that this experience will not only strengthen your desired development areas, but it will also strengthen your capabilities in effective storytelling (Story Telling and Your Career) because you will be able to tell your message and experience in a very meaningful way.

If you are utilizing volunteer responsibilities in this way, share your story. I would love to hear from you!