With summer now in full swing, there’s no better way to spend some of that extra time than to spend it volunteering! Volunteering not only gives back to the community, it’s also a great resume builder. If you’re having trouble find your start, here are a few tips to help you find the perfect opportunity.
Choose a Cause You’re Passionate About
This is the most important thing – you’ll enjoy going to volunteer simply because it’s something interesting to you. When you surround yourself with individuals who share your interests, it’s also easier to interact and create vital relationships. If you’re a marketing major, volunteer at your local community center and help manage their website/social media accounts. If you’re a veterinary medicine major, volunteer at your local animal shelter/hospital. Volunteering is a great opportunity to get involved in your future field. Whatever your major or field of interest, you can always find something that will add a vital component to your resume.
Check Around Your Community
This is the easiest way to volunteer. Go and take a stroll to your local library or community center and ask about events/projects they have going on. You can look at the community board for flyers or ads as well. It’s a great way to give back to your community and form new relationships in town. More great ideas include: Visiting the local animal shelter (if you like animals), stopping over at a food bank, or finding time to volunteer at a senior center/retirement community. These are all easy and great ways to get out and make a difference.
Online Tools for Volunteering
If you’re not yet comfortable venturing into your community, try looking on the Internet for some ideas instead. There are websites that can help find the right opportunity for you – such as VolunteerMatch.org, Idealist.org, and AllforGood.org. All of these websites are easy to navigate; simply type in your zip code, what you care about or your interests, and then it will create a list of volunteer prospects in your area. This is a great way to start, especially if you’re stuck on where to begin.
Volunteering is not as difficult as some may think! Reach out to your local community or use online outlets to find something your passionate about and you can easily start participating.
