Becoming a Volunteer: Diverse Benefits of Volunteering

What is the number one reason for becoming a volunteer?

You may already know that charitable organizations help people in need and allow everyone to make a difference. Yet, there are some material benefits as well. Volunteer experience can boost your career prospects: it increases your chances of getting into a prestigious university or being hired at a big company. Find out more below!

This article by Custom-Writing.org will:

• cover the top 6 benefits of volunteering for students;
• clarify how to become a volunteer;
• introduce the top 10 volunteer organizations.

👍 Top 6 Benefits of Volunteering

You might be asking yourself: Why should students volunteer? Well, there are many benefits for young people who have volunteer experiences:

1. Helping those in need allows students to make a difference. Every such action contributes to a greater cause.
2. Working for a worthy cause brings out a sense of accomplishment and pride. It can help students gain greater self-confidence and build their character.
3. Volunteering gives students a change from their regular everyday activities. These kinds of experiences can help young people get new perspectives.
4. When students volunteer abroad, they can immerse themselves in a new culture. By working alongside locals, they gain meaningful insight into the country and its people.
5. Volunteering allows students to meet fascinating new people. Both domestic and international organizations bring together individuals from dissimilar backgrounds.
6. Volunteering is a splendid way for students to enhance their social aptitudes. It assists them in developing leadership, communication, teamwork abilities, and greater self-knowledge.

As you can see, working with a charitable organization or participating in activities that assist others makes you happier, relieves stress, and provides a sense of satisfaction.

Boosting your Prospects via Volunteering

Volunteering and contributing to society may not increase your income, but there are more benefits to volunteering than many people think. 

For instance, did you know that voluntary work can help students get accepted into their desired university program? Here’s how: 

1. Students with volunteer experience gain a better comprehension of their career interests and goals. This allows them to be more selective when picking a university.
2. Volunteering provides great material for a college application essay. You can showcase what you’ve learned and the skills you’ve developed through your volunteer work.
3. Students with volunteer experience on their CV have an advantage in applying to scholarships that value community service and diversity, such as the AIFS Diversity Scholarship.  

But that’s not all! Volunteering can also advance your career prospects:

1. Volunteering with charities can help refine valuable interpersonal skills like resourcefulness and collaboration. Employers greatly appreciate these competencies.
2. You may acquire practical work knowledge through volunteering. If you aspire to a nursing or teaching profession, doing some voluntary service in those areas could prove beneficial. It provides you with firsthand experience and gives you confidence. 
3. Mentioning volunteer work can bolster your resume, particularly if you volunteered in your intended career area.
4. Interacting with nonprofits connects you to a broad network of mentors and colleagues. Having an extensive network creates more job potential.

❓ How to Become a Volunteer

Have you already decided to become a volunteer? If so, this section is for you. We will describe step by step on how to prepare for this experience.

Before You Start

First off, you need to decide what you want to get out of volunteering. It’s vital to appropriately set your expectations. Ask yourself:

Keep your answers to the above questions in mind while exploring volunteer opportunities.

Choosing a Type of Volunteer Work

Do you like doing handiwork or taking care of children? Or maybe working with animals is your favorite. Whatever your preferences are, you can find something that will pique your interest among different types of volunteer work:

Don’t have the opportunity to work outside the home? No worries: many volunteer programs offer various online alternatives.

Searching for Volunteer Opportunities

Once you’ve decided on a suitable type of volunteer work, you can start looking for opportunities. Here are some helpful options:

1. Check with your school/university. Speak to counselors, look in the library or on school websites, or visit career centers. Schools also often have programs that provide volunteering opportunities.
2. Check with local organizations. You don’t need to be limited by the walls of your school. You can also look for more information in other schools, libraries, museums, YMCAs, and study clubs.
3. Search online. Use such platforms as VolunteerMatch or try finding more details on the website of the organization you are interested in.

After you’ve learned all the necessary info about the program, send in your application form and wait for a reply. If it’s positive, you can start right away.

Preparing for Volunteering Abroad

Before embarking on a volunteering program abroad, make sure to prepare yourself. It’ll help you avoid disappointment and have a fulfilling experience.

Here is a list of things you need to do before traveling:

1. Do your research. Find information about the organization its recent projects, and reviews from past participants. Additionally, learn about the country’s culture, politics, geography, etc.
2. Consider all expenses. Make sure you’ve got enough money to cover the trip and accommodation.
3. Contact the organization beforehand. It’s critical to align on expectations, logistics, and other important details.
4. Collect all documents. Make certain you have a valid passport, visa, vaccinations, and other required legal documents. 
5. Pack all the essentials. Make sure your luggage isn’t too heavy. It’s also crucial to be respectful of cultural norms regarding attire.

Dos & Don’ts of Volunteering

So, you’ve selected a suitable program, and you’re all set to start your journey as a volunteer. The following tips will help you make the most of your experience:

✔️ Dos	❌ Dont’s
Ask if you need clarifications. Be responsible about your work. Treat people with respect. Try to learn as much as possible. Stay positive and enjoy yourself.	Don’t choose distressing tasks. Don’t be late. Don’t overwork yourself. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Don’t break the rules.

🔝 Top 10 Volunteering Organizations

To help you search for more volunteer options, we have made a list of the top 10 volunteer organizations. We’re sure you’ll find the perfect fit for you.

Volunteering Organizations for High School Students

Here is a list of the top 5 volunteer organizations suitable for high school students. Make sure to pay attention to the eligibility section, as there might be some age restrictions.

Top Non-Profit Human Rights Organization

Name: Amnesty International

Cause: Human rights

Format: In-person or online

Eligibility: High school

About the organization: Amnesty International is a global movement with millions of members. It’s campaigning for a world where all people have equal rights. It is independent of any political ideology, religion, or economic interest.

What you can do: High school students involved typically raise awareness about human rights issues. They do it by publicizing specific causes within their schools or districts, fundraising for those causes, writing letters urging local government officials to take action, and circulating petitions calling for universal human rights protection.

Best Organization in Community Development

Name: Habitat for Humanity

Cause: Community development

Format: In-person

Eligibility: 15-16 years old

About the organization: Habitat for Humanity helps high school and college students to enhance their skills and learn teamwork. This program is suitable for teenagers looking for community service ideas for the summer or longer periods.

What you can do: Depending on your age, opportunities may vary. They include including house construction, neighborhood cleanups, grassroots fundraising efforts, and advocacy for policy changes.

Best Non-Profit Organization in Healthcare

Name: American Cancer Society

Cause: Health

Format: In-person or online

Eligibility: High school

About the organization: The American Cancer Society raises people’s awareness of cancer and helps combat it.

What you can do: If you’re a teenager, you could support survivors and caretakers, raise funds for cancer studies, or advocate for policy reforms.

Top Non-Profit Organization in Child Welfare  

Name: Kidsave

Cause: Child welfare

Format: In-person or online

Eligibility: High school

About the organization: Kidsave is an organization that supports children worldwide. Their aim is to inspire individuals, communities, and governments to find families and provide permanent connections for kids in need.

What you can do: High school students may help older kids in foster care get a family by holding a fundraiser, spreading the information on social media, and building awareness for the program.

Top Environmental Non-Profit Organization

Name: National Park Service

Cause: Environment

Format: In-person

Eligibility: 18 or under with parental permission

About the organization: National Park Service is a community designed to connect children, teenagers, and adults to wildlife and help them explore the environment. Students will discover what you need to work as a museum curator, biologist, wildfire fighter, trail-builder, or park ranger by collaborating with this organization.

What you can do: There are multiple programs you might try. For instance, you can study historic sites and contribute to their protection. You may also become a scout and discover more about wildlife and how to save it.

Volunteer Opportunities for College Students

If you didn’t have the chance to get some volunteer experience in high school, you still have numerous opportunities. Below, you’ll see a list of top volunteer groups for college students.

Top Volunteer Opportunity in Tutoring

Name: UPchieve

Cause: Education

Format: Online

About the organization: UPchieve is a free online platform that delivers tutoring to low-income learners in the US whenever they need it. UPchieve notifies the volunteers when a student’s demand matches their expertise. Volunteers can set their timetables and designate their topics of choice.

What you can do: You can give free lessons to learners from anywhere with an internet connection. It’s a terrific possibility for college students. You will have a flexible schedule and share your knowledge with others while also improving your skills.

Top Volunteer Opportunity for Traveling Abroad

Name: United Planet

Cause: Environment/community development

Format: In-person

About the organization: United Planet is a nonprofit that intends to build a global community. It connects volunteers who desire to promote improvements in more than 30 countries.

What you can do: The program changes your worldview and enables you to learn and practice essential skills. You’ll get an excellent chance to learn, teach, work, and immerse yourself in a culture outside your comfort zone. As a college student, you can join their short-term program.

Best Volunteer Opportunity in Elderly Care  

Name: American Senior Communities

Cause: Elderly care

Format: In-person

About the organization: American Senior Communities focus on providing help and support to older adults in America. College students can easily find options that suit them.

What you can do: You can work in the rehabilitation sphere, memory care, or the well-being sector. For instance, someone who is an avid gardener might lead a Gardening Club. If you’re interested in fitness, you may share that passion of yours through an exercise class. Volunteers who are passionate about spiritual care can read scriptures or sing to residents.

Top Mental Health Volunteer Opportunity

Name: Crisis Text Line

Cause: Mental Health

Format: Online

About the organization: Crisis Text Line is a community that focuses on free, round-the-clock mental health support and promotes mental well-being. The service is provided by volunteer Crisis Counselors who work remotely from anywhere in the world.

What you can do: College students can become Crisis Counselors. Their responsibility is to answer texts from people in crisis and help them through active listening, safety planning, and collaborative problem-solving. Crisis Counselors need to commit to voluntary work 4 hours per week and complete a training period.

Best Volunteer Opportunity in Arts & Culture

Name: Alliance for the Arts

Cause: Arts & culture

Format: In-person

About the organization: Alliance for the Arts is a community that aims at expanding access to the arts. The organization supports self-expression and imagination. It’s a place where people from different spheres of life can meet, have discussions, and bring attention to some of our society’s challenges.

What you can do: College students’ voluntary work opportunities are boundless: from building sets to representing the Alliance at community events.

Thanks for reading through our article. We hope that it helped you learn more about volunteering. Feel free to share this article with your friends!

🔍 References

1. 10 Creative Ways to Volunteer: Walden University 
2. Benefits of Community Service: Western Connecticut State University 
3. Volunteering May Be Good for Body and Mind: Harvard 
4. Volunteering: A Learning Opportunity: University of Minnesota Twin Cities 
5. Community Service: Top 10 Reasons to Volunteer: University of California San Diego 
6. How Volunteering Can Help Your Mental Health: University of Berkley 
7. Benefits of Volunteering for Students: The University Network 
8. Student Volunteering Guide: Online Schools 
9. The Benefits of Volunteering: University of Florida 
10. Volunteering and Its Surprising Benefits: Help Guide