The Many Benefits of Volunteering for Students

College students may experience being even more busy than they were in high school. Not only are you juggling your class schedule and homework, clubs and social activities, but you’re also learning how to navigate life as an adult. It may not be easy to cram one more obligation into your schedule; however, fitting in a few hours of volunteer work here and there can be worth it. Here’s a look at some of the benefits of volunteering for college students.

Learn Invaluable Soft Skills

Soft skills, or people skills, are something you can learn while volunteering. Employers may also appreciate your ability to better communicate, take accountability, take initiative and engage  in teamwork. These are the skills that are primarily learned through practical experiences, rather than classroom lectures. Acquiring these skills could make you a more desirable job candidate, no matter what industry you choose to specialize in.

Some of the soft skills you may acquire as a volunteer include the following:

• Collaboration and teamwork: It takes many hands to see a project through to completion. This means that volunteers must learn to work well together and to manage the lifecycle of a project.
• Communication: Volunteer work brings together people from all walks of life. You’ll practice effective communication with your fellow volunteers and with the people you serve.
• Time management: Volunteer work could teach you how to manage your time more effectively. After all, you’ll need to juggle those volunteer hours along with the rest of your obligations. You’ll need to make the most of the time you have.
• Professionalism: Professionalism is typically something that workers learn through on-the-job experience. One of the benefits of community service for students is that you’ll have a jumpstart on acquiring it.
• Leadership: Depending on the specific organization, new volunteers may work under the supervision of paid workers or experienced volunteers. As you gain experience with nonprofit work, you may in turn be called upon to lead the newer volunteers.

You Can Gain Work Experience and Acquire New Skills

Your degree program can teach you what you need to know in your chosen field. Yet, learning doesn’t stop after graduation, and it shouldn’t stop during school breaks, either. However, do be aware some organizations can have age restrictions and may need further approval to participate.

During your time in college and long after you graduate, you should continually seek out opportunities to acquire new skills and knowledge. This may help you not only get better at your current job, but also pivot into a new industry or profession.¹

One effective way to gain work experience and acquire new skills as a college student is to perform volunteer work. No matter which type of student volunteering work you choose to do, you can learn practical skills that can serve you well throughout your life.

You’ll Flesh Out Your Resume

One common problem for recent college graduates is figuring out what to put on a resume. Ideally, you’ll want to list as many relevant experiences and accomplishments as possible. However, as a new graduate, you may not have a great deal of work experience. This is another one of the benefits of volunteering for college students; it can help you bridge the gap between college and your career.

Many employers appreciate a job candidate with volunteer experience on their resume.¹ It shows that the individual has taken the initiative to give back to their community despite the lack of financial compensation. It also demonstrates that the individual is a caring person who likely has a solid work ethic.

As you embark on your volunteer work, keep careful records. Make a note of the dates when you began and ended a volunteer job so you can include this information on your resume. You should also keep track of the names and contact information of your nonprofit supervisors, as you might want to ask them for letters of reference later on.

You Can Build Your Professional Network

Building a professional network is one of the main ways that college students can establish a solid foundation for their career. Everyone you meet — from your professors to fellow students, to volunteers and nonprofit supervisors — can potentially be a valuable member of your network.

You should cultivate these contacts and stay in touch with them whenever possible. You never know when someone you met at a volunteer opportunity during your college days may introduce you to your future boss at your dream company. In addition, remember that a professional network is a two-way street; be receptive to assisting your contacts along their own career pathways.

Although there are many valuable benefits of community service for students, the intangible benefits of giving back to your community can still apply no matter your age or education level. Long after you graduate, you can benefit from putting in volunteer hours. Here’s a look at some of the intangible rewards of serving as a volunteer.

• It’s good for your soul. There is no question that volunteering is good for the soul. Taking time out of your busy schedule to lend a hand to others in your community strengthens character, teaches humility and nurtures the spirit.
• It can boost your mental and emotional health. You probably won’t be shocked to hear that volunteering is good for your mental and emotional health. Scientifically speaking, volunteering can increase levels of dopamine in the brain, which induces those positive, feel-good emotions. As a result, people who volunteer may be less likely to experience depression and anxiety.²
• It’s good for your physical health. Although it’s common knowledge that volunteering is good for your spiritual and emotional health, it’s perhaps less well known that it’s also beneficial for your physical well-being. An improvement in physical health may be due in part to the positive impact on emotional health, although it could also be attributed to the fact that many volunteer jobs require physical movement.³

In addition to having positive effects on your health, volunteer work can expand your perspective. You’ll meet new people, and you’ll get to know their life experiences and unique journeys. Lastly, volunteering can help you move beyond your comfort zone, empowering you to grow as a person while you lend a hand to others.

Now that you understand that there are many benefits of volunteer work for students and people of all ages, you may be wondering exactly what type of volunteer job you should pursue. High schoolers and college students often look for opportunities that are aligned with their career goals and academic interests.

For instance, if you’re a nursing student, you could volunteer at a hospital or nursing home. Students who aspire to become teachers could volunteer at a literacy outreach program. Those who seek a career in business administration could volunteer to perform office work at any type of nonprofit.

Note that it’s perfectly acceptable to look for volunteer jobs that do not align with your career goals. You can still gain valuable experience and acquire important skills. For instance, you might volunteer at an animal shelter even if you have no plans to become a veterinarian.

There are a number of places to begin looking for volunteer opportunities, including the following:

• High school guidance counselors
• College career centers
• Libraries (Librarians are skilled researchers who can help you find a great opportunity.)
• Honor societies and civic clubs
• Local establishments, such as museums, food banks and Boys and Girls Clubs

You can also ask if your friends and family members can connect you to local nonprofits.