What Makes a Volunteer?
A volunteer can do practically any kind of work, from tutoring lesser privileged children to grooming dogs at an animal shelter. You don't have to have any prior skills in the area you choose to volunteer in, though skilled volunteers are always in demand. All you need is a willingness to work, try new things, keep a positive attitude, and finally you need to want to share your time and talents with those in your community.
Volunteers Come from All Walks of Life
The best part of being a volunteer is that you don't have to have prior qualifications. If you want to build homes for Habitat for Humanity you don't have to spend years in a carpentry union. If you want to work on an election campaign, you don't need a career in political science. Anyone with a good work ethics and a quickly ascending learning curve can be a successful volunteer.
Use Your Existing Skills as a Volunteer
While volunteering doesn't require a resume, if you already have skills that organizations find useful, your volunteering time will be in high demand. A retired account, for example, would be a prized addition to any NGO who can't afford to hire a professional to do their books. If you are passionate about something such as painting, you can also try volunteering in areas that allow you to exercise that passion.
Volunteering as a Way to Self-Education
Because volunteer jobs are generally entry level work, even the newest volunteer can find some way or the other to be useful. At the same time, volunteering is a great way to get on the job training for a future profession or learn more about a topic in which you are interested. For instance, if you want to be a doctor, you may volunteer as a candy striper in a hospital once you are in high school. The mention of volunteer jobs looks good on your resume and gives you valuable professional experience, even at a young age.
The Rewards of Volunteering
Volunteers, by definition, are unpaid workers. You must not look at volunteering as a waste of your time and money. Instead think of all the non-material gains that volunteering gives you. The experience you gain and skills you hone from volunteering services can translate into paid work later. You will also have priceless experiences in your bag and make new friends. Who can put a price tag on that?
The World of Volunteering is Open to You
Nearly every local community looks for committed and dedicated volunteers just like you. If your community doesn't have its own volunteer database, such as Philadelphia Cares, look for volunteer ideas on volunteeringcrossing.com. Search by your interests and zip code and in no time you should be open to a world of wonderful volunteer opportunities.
