Jun
9
Volunteer - to broaden your experience
Filed Under Leadership, Personal development, Personal awareness
I so often hear people say that they want to get a job in a certain sector but they don’t have the experience that hiring organisations are looking for and they don’t know how to get it.
I also hear about employers who hire for attitude first and will teach skills later.
One of the best ways to make both work for you is to - volunteer.
I have just spent the day as a volunteer at an information desk about diabetes in our local mall. Supported by health professionals we provided leaflets and guidance to anyone who came by. We chatted with people who had the condition themselves and sometimes people how had loved ones who did. This weeks is Diabetes Week in the UK and awareness has been raised by related media coverage.
I learned today how I respond to working with a “fluid” team to meet the “client” needs. I also learned that some people want to share their experiences more than they want advice. It probably helps to have someone listen at that point. I realised that some people choose to spend time in the mall for company more than the shopping.
I have committed 2 days this week to volunteering. Throughout the year I have other opportunities. The point about being a volunteer is that you can control how much you “give”.
So if you want to broaden your skill base and be able to tell a potential employment a whole lot more about your attitude look for opportunities to volunteer.
And aside from anything else - it can make you feel good!
Jackie,
Excellent advice. I often give similar advice to writers who need clips for their portfolio: volunteer to write for nonprofit organizations. The writers support causes they believe in, hone their writing skill, make valuable contacts, and get “published.” An article in a nonprofit newsletter can be a valuable clip for future writing prospects.
Thanks Lillie - that is a great idea too. How we can offer our services depends on what we have to offer - and what we want to offer! I know a senior accountant who is volunteering in an arts organisation and although he is using his accounting skills he really wants to contribute to the creative stuff too..
I’ve been thinking about volunteering recently too.
I think it’s a great alternative to education/courses/degrees - there should be something to promote it more. Great for people just out of school/college, ideal for those on benefits and perfect for those that want to ‘learn by doing’.
Think of the debt and money spent on getting a degree. I wonder how much 3 years of volunteering would be worth on a CV compared to a degree.
Hi Rosie - thanks for coming by. I believe that learning by doing is a great way to get the experience that is often missing when someone is starting out or trying to break into a new career. Further/Higher education is not for everyone and I agree that volunteering could be a good alternative route.