Personal Growth and Career Development Through Volunteerism
Life right now can seem unpredictable, but you can use this time to start volunteering. Volunteering is a great way to engage in work you are passionate about, develop new skills, and form a deeper connection with your community.
Rosie Skinner, BS ’17
Donor Relations Coordinator
United Way of Lane County
Volunteering is a great way to engage in work you are passionate about, develop new skills, and form a deeper connection with your community. I started volunteering in high school with the 4-H program in Central Oregon. Volunteering became a hobby, and I continued to volunteer while attending the University of Oregon. I donated my time to the 4-H program in Eugene to help plan events such as fundraisers and fairs. I wanted to explore new opportunities during my senior year, so I started volunteering with the American Cancer Society. After volunteering for both the American Cancer Society and the 4-H program, I discovered my passion for event management and working in non-profits. Volunteering can take many forms, but each experience brings unique opportunities for personal growth and career development.
Build a connection
Volunteering gives you the opportunity to create strong connections with your community. Growing your network is important and extremely useful during the first few years of your career. During your time as a volunteer, you will have opportunities to meet new people and hopefully develop long-term relationships. When I moved back to Eugene, I started volunteering as a philanthropy advisor with Gamma Phi Beta Sorority at University of Oregon. I’ve been able to connect with other women that I might not have had the opportunity to meet without volunteering. One of the women I connected with is now someone I turn to as a mentor for professional guidance. You never know when you might meet someone while volunteering who can help you on your own professional journey.
Build a stronger resume
Volunteering is also an excellent way to build your resume. You can absolutely include your volunteer experiences on your resume and can even reference your experience during an interview if it is relevant to the position. I landed my first job after college by utilizing my volunteer experience during my time in college. I was competing against people with more professional experience, yet my extensive practical experience from volunteering proved more valuable. Even if your volunteer experience doesn’t directly tie to your career, it still shows an employer that you are willing to give your time to your community and it may make you stand out from other candidates.
Types of volunteering and where to find opportunities
It may feel overwhelming to figure out where or how to start volunteering. I suggest you start by picking an issue that you are passionate about, or an industry or career you are interested in. Are you passionate about helping the unhoused population or creating opportunities for youth to learn STEM? Whether you are passionate about an issue and want to get involved, or hope to explore a career without fully committing, volunteering creates that opportunity for you. If you have a specific organization in mind, see if they have a volunteer coordinator you can connect with. Organizations might have their volunteer needs posted on their website. Even cold calling an organization might bring about volunteer opportunities. Some non-profits may need volunteers who help on a regular basis or only when they have a big project or event. Non-profits will be flexible with time commitments based on your availability.
If you’re not sure where to start, try finding local groups that do volunteer activities. This might be a great way to learn what types of volunteering you enjoy. You may learn you love outdoor projects or event projects. If you are still in the Eugene area, you can check out United Way of Lane County’s volunteer website to see all the options in the area, including some COVID-19 specific volunteer opportunities. City government websites often list volunteer opportunities for a more community-oriented activities.
I currently work for United Way of Lane County, where I lead a young professional’s group called Emerging Leaders. Emerging Leaders focuses on professional development, and conducts group volunteer activities. Throughout the year we do several volunteer activities, including gift and book drives for local low-income children. United Way’s Emerging Leaders and the Active 20/30 groups coordinate events with multiple organizations. Either group would be a great fit for someone looking to volunteer with multiple organizations with local focuses. You will need to see what is available in your area, but both groups have chapters nationwide. These groups are great for building your network and for providing a variety of volunteer activities.
Life right now can seem unpredictable but you can use this time to start volunteering. In Lane County, many non-profits are looking for volunteers to make masks and help with food assembly and delivery. I encourage you to figure out what the needs in your community are right now, and help your communities during this challenging time. Congratulations on graduating! Now is the time show your community what kind of people graduate from the University of Oregon!