Eduard Cole
Volunteering is genuinely one of the best experiences in the world. Whether you’re coordinating, part of a team, or spreading the positive impact of a project, it’s worth contributing your time, energy, and abilities. However, you shouldn’t go into volunteering without having a strategy to improve different areas of your life.
While you put a smile on people’s faces and help organizations reach their goals faster, this article explores some ways to make the most out of your experience.
Avoid Volunteering for Every Project
Being eager to volunteer doesn’t mean you have to volunteer everywhere and for everything. You’ll end up spreading yourself too thin, which can lead to burnout. Reduce your commitment to a few projects, prioritizing what matters to you and gives you time to apply your best.
In addition, your focused output for the project you choose will leave a lasting impression on the team and organization you volunteer with. This is important, so you need to carefully go over the opportunities you have.
Know Skills You Want to Develop
Your skills need more work to help you optimize them to new levels but you must be intentional about them. The idea is to build and volunteer for roles that fit your skill set and let you develop new ones. You can volunteer for a role that requires social media skills and end up acquiring marketing skills.
Those skills form part of your experiences and become a part of your resume. This means broader qualities that give you an edge in future roles.
Identify Problems You Want to Solve
When you know what type of problems your volunteer skills help you solve, you’ll enjoy what you do. It could be anything revolving around human needs or organizational goals targeted to improve climate issues. Whatever it is, get involved in providing solutions.
For example, if the team wants to create awareness for climate change, your interests can align with their goals. As the team achieves theirs, so will you.
Build Character and Commitment
While volunteering can enhance your skills, make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons, including a genuine interest in the project. The development of your character and abilities, and a desire to solve problems that impact the lives of others, ultimately create a lasting impact in the community and the world at large.
There is a trend where people volunteer for social media posturing only, without a desire to build themselves or impact those around them. While you can share your experience on social media, it’s even better to prioritize making a significant impact on the project rather than just taking pictures to impress your followers or your connections.
Have Realistic Expectations
You may head into a project or organization with a zeal to change the world, but the reality is often different. Manage your expectations. Instead of trying to change the world, see the opportunity as a chance to learn new things, strengthen your current skill set, and help achieve goals.
There are deep-seated problems that transcend decades and centuries. Don’t focus on such problems but on the impact you can readily make in a team.
Conclusion
The points above can help you optimize your experience with volunteering. Map out your goals, identify problems, and learn the skills you want to improve.
As the project grows and objectives are met, so will you. Embrace the opportunity to make an impact and be realistic about the outcome of your efforts and those of the organization. Your commitment and willingness to improve will set you apart.
