Reasons Why You Should Volunteer

While donating goes a long way, there are also other ways to give back or help us on our mission to connect financially struggling students with the resources needed to follow their dreams of attaining a degree. Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community and help a cause that you’re passionate about. There are also many other reasons why volunteering benefits both you and the organization where you’re volunteering. Here is a list of reasons why you should try volunteering.

1. It’s a great way to give back
• Volunteering provides the volunteer opportunities to give back to a cause without donating money or supplies. Donating time is the most valuable resource you can give an organization that you believe in. No task is too small, and some organizations operate solely on volunteer work, so any help is always appreciated.
2. It’s a great way to add to your resume or portfolio
• Volunteering is a great way to get in-field experience that you can add to your resume. Whether in the same field or just in general, many workplaces require the applicant to have work experience. Volunteering allows the volunteer to show that they have hands-on experience working in various fields and different teams. With some volunteer positions, you’ll also be able to begin or expand your professional portfolio with writing, flyers and graphic design, and proofreading. Volunteering also allows the volunteer to demonstrate commitment, which increases respect they have and get from that organization.
3. Volunteering is a way to help build a network
• The saying, “your network is your net worth” rings true in many fields. Volunteering allows you to build your resume, as we mentioned earlier, and it also gives you the chance to get your foot in the door with people you may encounter again further into your career. With the different types of positions available, volunteering can put you in work teams or social circles to begin building a professional network. Professional networks will also help with references, and letters of recommendation, and open the door to countless opportunities for future referrals or positions at other organizations.
4. Volunteering allows you to explore different interests
• There is usually a little more flexibility with volunteering, compared to full-time or part-time employment. As we mentioned earlier, most organizations are grateful to have people volunteer, which means they are more likely to work with volunteers to give them work that will maintain a mutually beneficial relationship. As long as there is open and adequate communication, the volunteer may have an opportunity to explore different types of positions or interests.
5. Volunteering benefits the volunteer in more ways than one
• Research also supports that volunteering positively impacts the individual volunteer, increasing personal efficacy and empowerment (Piliavin & Siegl, 2015). The act of volunteering is also known to improve mental health, physical health, and wellbeing (Jenkinson et al., 2013). Volunteering also increases community empowerment, resulting in higher levels of connectedness, more trust in neighbors, and encourages the norm of reciprocity (Gray & Stevenson, 2020). Volunteers also gain a sense of purpose, feeling more connected with the cause, the organization, and the people they are helping by donating their time.

    One last point we wanted to add to the list, volunteering is FUN. Volunteering for a cause that you’re passionate about also connects you with others who are passionate about that cause. At the HIGH Program, you get to donate your time and make lifelong relationships with other passionate people about education equality. It’s a creative and driven atmosphere where you’re encouraged to utilize your strengths while doing work that helps you feel good and like you’re gaining purpose. Follow the link below to find out more about the HIGH Program and to see what positions we have open, so you can join our team. 

Follow this link: https://www.volunteermatch.org/search/org777547.jsp 


Sources
Gray, D., & Stevenson, C. (2020). How can ‘we’ help? exploring the role of shared social identity in the experiences and benefits of volunteering. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 30(4), 341-353. https://doi.org/10.1002/casp.2448
Piliavin, J. A., & Siegl, E. (2015). Health and well-being consequences of formal volunteering. In D. A. Schroeder, & W. G. Graziano (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of prosocial behavior. New York: Oxford University Press.
Jenkinson, C. E., Dickens, A. P., Jones, K., Thompson-Coon, J., Taylor, R. S., Rogers, M., … Richards, S. H. (2013). Is volunteering a public health intervention? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the health and survival of volunteers. BMC Public Health, 13(1), 773.

By: Selita O. Paea