Putting The Extra in Extracurricular

Lots of people try to beef up their resumes by volunteering, but are you putting in effort or just putting in time? With the amount of work involved in your education, finding a volunteer position that is suited to you, your time constraints and eventual career is essential.

The position needs to work for everyone involved though, not just you. Remember, just because you are not getting a pay check does not mean you are not doing a job. Volunteers are an important part of many organizations, often playing key roles in the company’s face time with the public. Here are some things to look into when looking at volunteer opportunities.

• How long do they need the position filled for? Are they looking for someone to hand out information at a booth for one weekend or someone to visit with an elderly shut in indefinitely?
  

• Are the hours flexible? You don't want to leave the organization high and dry if you suddenly get a great job offer. Can you complete your work with them at the same time you're starting your new job?




• Is this a position you are actually willing to do? If you take a job walking dogs for the SPCA in the Spring when its cool, will you still want to walk them in the heat of the summer?




• Are you taking this position because you actually have a connection to the organization or because they happen to have an opening? Will you feel like you're accomplishing something or doing something worth your time and effort?

Volunteering can be a fantastic addition to current training and skills but only if you take proper advantage of the opportunity and don't take advantage of the company you are volunteering with. Helping your community can be good for your resume and your self-esteem. Make sure you are working with a registered charity or non-profit organization so that your effort is going to where it can best be used.

Help someone else, while you help yourself learn and grow with only your time and effort.

By Jodi Sonoda

Jodi has been blogging for over 3 years, and is excited to currently be blogging with collegejobbank.com for Nexxt. She is attached to the internet at the hip and enjoys the constant connection. She spends most of her offline time playing dolls and reading picture books with her two year old.