For many college students, juggling busy class schedules, jobs, exams and social activities make it challenging to find time for yourself, let alone for helping others. But if you’re able to fit the time in, even if it’s alongside a part-time, paying campus job, it could be worth your while to pursue a volunteer position. The experiences you will have are priceless.
Other than the fact that it’s simply a good thing to do, here are seven reasons for you to consider becoming a volunteer.
1. Volunteering Can Be Good for Your Health
Studies have indicated that college students who spend time giving back to others experience lower levels of stress & depression. Volunteering offers a sense of purpose, fulfillment and satisfaction that are vital to surviving the stressful college years. It’s also a great way to get out and be physically active, which we all know is good for you!
2. Could Result in Landing That Big Job
There are no guarantees in the workplace, but having volunteer experience on your post-graduation resume could make you more appealing to potential employers. When employers see that you have volunteered your time, it sends a positive message that you are able to manage your time and that you’re a team player.
3. Teaches Life Skills Beyond the Classroom
Volunteer work gives you an opportunity to develop valuable skills such as public speaking, decision making, writing, communication, personal leadership, etc that you may not have been able to do otherwise. Equally valuable, it allows students to gain a greater understanding of their interests and how to pursue career goals and dreams.
4. Helps You to Build Your Professional Network
Volunteer positions are a great way to meet people, especially if you land a volunteer position in your desired field, whether it’s medical, education, business, etc. The contacts you build through volunteering are very valuable and a great way to build your professional network.
5. Can Lead to Potential Scholarship and Financial Aid Opportunities
There are a great deal of scholarships and grants out there that list community service as a prerequisite, so if you dedicate some time each week to volunteer work, you could be giving your financial aid profile a boost as well.
6. You Will Grow as a Person
In additional to resume and professional network building, volunteerism can do wonders for your social life and help you grow as a person. Finding causes that matter to you is a sure fire way to surround yourself with like-minded people who share your interests. You will also have the added benefit of encountering people from different walks of life as well. Even if you do something completely different with your life, you’ll now be able to boast experience in a variety of different fields. You’ll be surprised how much you will mature and grow as a person once you see that an organization is relying on you.
7. It’s fun
Trust us! Volunteers get all kinds of fun perks, access to cool events, meet interesting people and do things they would not otherwise do!
What more can we say? Volunteering can help you meet new people, find new experiences, get healthy and have fun! Ready to get started?
Duck Corps hosts a variety of volunteer opportunities to make it as easy as possible to find ways to serve in the community! Register now to become part of the growing Duck Corps community. Click here to see their local Volunteer Opportunities Database.
Content Sources:
Benefits of Volunteerism in College
The Health Benefits of Volunteering – Corporation for National and Community Service
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