The Value of Volunteering – Monterey Herald

According to the 2021 Volunteering in America report, 60.7 million people officially volunteered for organizations between September 2020 and 2021. The value of these volunteer contributions amounted to a whopping $122.9 billion.

Why should you consider volunteering? Volunteering for a good cause changes lives and benefits your community. But studies show that volunteers benefit too. One study found that volunteers have a 20% lower risk of dying than people who don’t volunteer. Giving to others can help protect your mental and physical health. It can reduce stress, fight depression, stimulate you mentally and give you a sense of purpose.

What’s more, volunteering can benefit your career whether you’re a student, a recent graduate, or an experienced professional. Even if your volunteer work isn’t related to your dream job, hiring managers will notice it. According to a LinkedIn survey, 41% of hiring managers view volunteering as equivalent to paid work. Tip for job seekers: Treat important volunteer work on your resume like paid employment.

Additionally, the 2016 Deloitte Volunteer Impact Survey surveyed professionals who can directly or indirectly influence hiring decisions in major U.S. metropolitan areas. It found that 82% of respondents said they were more likely to select a candidate with volunteer experience, 85% were willing to overlook other resume deficiencies if a candidate mentioned volunteer work, and 80% of respondents agreed that active volunteers are more likely to advance to leadership positions.

For high school students, volunteering can help them discover career opportunities, improve social skills, and broaden their horizons. Volunteering can even give students an edge when applying to college. College students can explore volunteer opportunities that improve their communication skills, allow them to hone their technical expertise, gain experience in their chosen field, develop leadership skills, and build their professional network. And surprise, surprise, volunteering can lead to full-time employment.

If you’re currently between two opportunities or looking to get a promotion, volunteering can be the bridge between your past and your future. Looking to change careers and need to demonstrate skills that weren’t required in your previous job? Accepting an unpaid gig that requires those skills may be the answer. Additionally, volunteering can increase your visibility in the community and expand your network, opening up new opportunities for you.

Much like a paid job, the key to volunteer success is choosing an organization and role that matches your skills, interests, and availability. Determine what you hope to get out of the experience and what you want to gain from it. Research organizations that fit your criteria. Does the opportunity align with your values, interests, and passions? Are you excited about the organization? These are important things to consider before agreeing to take on an unpaid work assignment.

Volunteering can be an opportunity to share your expertise with your community. Whether you’re good at construction, music, math, or project management, your talent can give hope and change lives. It can be a one-time event, a casual commitment, or a long-term project. You decide. Just know that volunteering has the potential to enrich your life and career as much as the people you impact.

Mary Jeanne Vincent, career expert and strategist, maintains a coaching practice in Monterey. You can reach her at (831) 657-9151, [email protected] or www.careercoachmonterey.com.