Network Through Volunteering

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Network Through Volunteering
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• Many high school and college students volunteer
  because its a great way to give back to the
  community while impressing prospective colleges
  and employers.

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• While some students may opt out of volunteering
  because they already have enough responsibilities
  to juggle, they could be missing out on a
  much-needed networking opportunity.

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• Networking allows students to meet like-minded
  individuals who are working or will work in their
  field. Of course, while some residents of Ottawa
  student housing take on unpaid positions during
  college, volunteering can be difficult for those
  who require the money to attend college in the
  first place.

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• Yet, volunteering can ultimately help students
  land their dream job, as it presents invaluable
  opportunities to meet professionals in their
  field and exercises their ability to complete
  tasks related to their prospective career.
  Discover why its worth making time for
  volunteering in your busy schedule below.

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• Volunteer for Causes You Care About
• To get the most from your volunteering
  experience, you can seek out an organization that
  aligns with your career interests. If youre
  studying social work, for instance, landing a
  volunteer position at a local shelter can help
  you gain valuable insight into the field. By
  working side-by-side with people already in the
  field, youll learn more about your industry and
  exercise your knowledge in real-world situations.

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• Job Opportunities
• By choosing to volunteer with an organization
  whose goals align with those of your chosen
  career path, you may encounter potential job
  opportunities. While your future career may seem
  like its in the distant future, its really not
  so far away at all.

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• Meeting professionals in managerial and other
  decision-making roles could help you land a job
  after college. Youll be able to showcase your
  skills and talents, and theyll be able to tell
  you everything you need to know about the job.

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• Even if you choose a volunteer opportunity that
  doesnt exactly align with your career goals,
  networking with individuals can still help you
  land your dream job. While volunteering does look
  good on a resume, so does having references in
  high-level positions at any organization.

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• Growing your Network
• Volunteering also provides the unique opportunity
  to grow your professional network. You will
  likely meet other college students who share your
  major and with whom you can discuss your target
  field.

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• While these connections may not be beneficial
  immediately, by building and nurturing your
  relationships now, youll establish a network for
  possible job opportunities and even advice in the
  future. Of course, be sure to repay any favors,
  as career development can present challenges for
  everyone at one point or another.

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• Network Support Systems
• The people you meet at your volunteer position
  will also serve as your support system when it
  comes to searching for and finding jobs after
  college. The initial search can be difficult, but
  your fellow volunteers may come across job
  opportunities that dont fit their needs.

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• They can then pass this information along to you.
  Whether you find success in your job hunt
  immediately or someone else from your network
  does, you can exchange ideas and share advice.
  For instance, take a look at each others resumes
  and offer interview tips to one another. This
  way, everyone in the network can benefit from
  shared knowledge and experience, and will know
  what to expect when applying for similar jobs.