Volunteering overseas involves more group-based work than volunteering at home. University is a big, exciting place. We can all make a change. CRISconnects not-for-profit organisations that work with the UnionsVolunteering Service with academic staff and masters students who are keen to research a community need in thecapital. Volunteering helps you grow your network By volunteering, you connect with people from very different settings, industries, skills sets, and often times, parts of the world. Lead a movement. In fact, 51% of recent graduates under 30 who are currently in employment have stated that volunteering helped them to secure their position. There are a number of organizations who are always looking for volunteers, and theyll be able to assist with this process. Ultimately, volunteering can help your case when youre asking for more job responsibilitiesespecially if you can quantify the impact you made through volunteering. How to mix spring cleaning, helping others and saving the planet. I highly recommend the program. [MScPublic Policystudent]. With volunteering there isnt as much risk to your resume and reputation as there is with accepting a paid, full-time job and then quitting a few months later if you dont like it. Many students choose to volunteer abroad to experience a new culture and learn more about other countries. Straight after meeting with CRIS I felt energised to start my research. Volunteering can, and often does, turn into full-time employment, since many organizations first look internally when paid positions open up. Not only can volunteering benefit a wealth of causes, but it can also boost a students prospects once they head out into the working world. Leadership is a wonderful skill to have, and its also transferable to many different job roles. Explore possible career tracks. What Makes India The Most Preferred Volunteering Destination? Theres no question that volunteers benefit from volunteering. UCL is yours, so it should be what you want it to be. It can be easy to get consumed in your day-to-day life, particularly as a student with pressures of deadlines and studying for exams. Not least because of their determination and enthusiasm. Were transforming our bars, cafes, fitness and study areas to create the places to make friends and relax. Many employers are interested in how well a person will fit in with the team at work personality wise, not just whether they are qualified for the job. Volunteering can be an escape from the daily routine, allowing to make a difference while also getting away from studies for a much-needed break. 8 Reasons That Will Make You Extend Your Volunteering Program In Ecuador, volunteer abroad to experience a new culture, there are hundreds of volunteering programmes who are looking for student volunteers. Whether its nature conservation at a local wildlife trust, working at an old peoples home or helping children grow organic vegetables at a local school, exploring other interests could bring about change. Whether youre working in the charity sector or trying to transition into it, volunteering for an organisation allows you to get more involved with a cause that youre passionate about. Theres also a strong sense of achievement and pride that comes with generously giving up your time for a worthy cause. Deviating from the curriculum isnt an option for most students, and intense studies may mean that theyre missing out on a great deal of social interaction as well the chance to pick up new hobbies. There are many ways to do this you can take part in competitions, write a book, or develop a brilliant business idea. Across the world, there are hundreds of volunteering programmes who are looking for student volunteers. As you can see volunteering is good for your career. On the other hand, volunteering abroad is often over a period of a month or two, meaning that you need to have a significant amount of free time available. Working for a cause while at home will allow for flexibility around a students timetable, they may be able to give up some of their spare time at the weekend or a few hours in the evening. All of our spaces are your spaces. These community research skills development learning sessions are only available to CRIS students considering a collaborative dissertation. Depending on where you feel most empathetic towards, your volunteering efforts will allow you to invest your time and skills in a good cause. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In these places, volunteers will often be tasked with helping to teach children, support hospitals, build schools or animal conservation. Having real-life experience can enhance a students education outside of the classroom. Did you ever think of all the ways that volunteering is good for your career? In some ways, volunteering can be a way for students to explore other interests they may not have otherwise had the chance to. That means youre in charge. Together, were a union that can work to make things better, on campus and beyond. In some respects, volunteer work experience can be just as important to an employer as qualifications. This article was originallypublished on Givingwayand appears here with permission. Volunteering just a few hours a week or during part of a longer trip shows employers that you arent content with sitting on your couch (or on a beach), and gives you recent professional experiences to talk about in interviews. Push yourself further than you imagined. Driven by drama, sport, art or politics? By volunteering you can improve how you communicate with colleagues and supervisors, work as part of a team, stay organized, meet deadlines, and much more. It all starts with understanding your training needs and offering you a unique, bespoke training,rather like doctoral students are offered e.g. All charities are striving to create a world where they no longer need to exist by tackling some of the most difficult issues. Volunteering is a great way to not only interact with an organizations paid staff, but also meet other volunteers. From the initial meeting they provided advice and connections based on my research interests and were very encouraging of my abilities as a researcher. You will meet other like-minded students from a wide range of different masters programmes across UCL. It might be a local charity shop that is looking for staff at weekends or a childrens hospice who want someone to read to the children once a week, either way, there are bound to be countless opportunities closer to home thank you think. Good Deeds Day is a global movement of doing good. The network you build as a result will help you professionally and socially. Where possible, it can be beneficial for students to search for roles in their field. Furthermore, as previously mentioned, volunteering can allow a student to develop skills. Its a win-win situation for all with each project being tailoredto suit the requirements of the student, the supervisor and the communityorganisation. Improves Your Mental Health & Boosts Confidence Through volunteering, youre also doing good for others and the community, which provides a natural sense of accomplishment. It also gives students the opportunity to get away from studies and work responsibilities. Required fields are marked *. If you have an interest or hobby such as graphic design or coding that youve never pursued formally, volunteering can help you gain on-the-job experience that you can potentially leverage into a paid opportunity in the future. Its an extremely rewarding experience, and students may even find themselves putting their own problems into perspective. There are plenty of ways to get involved as a student volunteer to make a difference. Popular places with an abundance of culture that often recruit volunteers are the likes of Cambodia, Ghana, India, Kenya, and Tanzania. And depending on your specific role, you may even learn more advanced management skills like how to juggle multiple priorities and delegate to other volunteers all of which will be an asset as you move up the career ladder. You get to meet new people and try new things like counting Angolan colobus monkeys in south eastern Kenya. Doing good is good for you, but did you know that there are great benefits when volunteering as a business? But did you ever think thatvolunteering can benefit your professional development? Youll be able to build relationships with everyone there, and you may even find that this networking could impact your future career. For example, those volunteering in the UK who want to stay need to apply for British citizenship. Well be working with you throughout your dissertation to monitor progress and ensure your research is kept right at the very centre ofthings. If you have an interest or hobby such as graphic design or coding that youve never pursued formally, volunteering can help you gain on-the-job experience that you can potentially leverage into a paid opportunity in the future. Students Union UCL offers all sorts of ways to discover something that will become a part of who you are. It may seem obvious, but the rewarding aspect of volunteering is why so many are drawn to it. For years, charities across the globe have been encouraging students to join their volunteering programmes to help make a difference in the world. Our job is to make sure you feel supported every day. Employers will likely be impressed by your ability to rise to a challenge and (hopefully) persevere. Among everything else that volunteering can offer, its an amazing way to prepare for work opportunities in the future. Volunteer positions can develop your problem-solving and organizational skills, your ability to multi-task and work well under pressure - which are great skills to have on the job. Alternatively, for many countries, a volunteer might need to apply for British citizenship. Be sure to check the background of any company youre inquiring with, and read reviews left from previous volunteers who have gone on expeditions. Natalie Wilson is a freelance writer in the travel niche and can provide advice on anything from packing essentials to hidden gems. You can read below whatour very first participants have said about their CRIS journey or look here for a series of short films where one student tells all, from why they did CRIS to what was difficult about it and what their community organisation partnerdid: A masters is like a series of fleeting interactions and CRIS is the one constant.it gave a sense of belonging [Political Sciencesstudent], I really appreciate your guidance and feedback on my initial dissertation ideas, it was really great to better frame how CRIS could be an enriching way forward and walk through my ideas aloud. [MSc Security Studiesstudent], [CRIS] is turning what I assume would otherwise be dissertation dread into research excitement! [MSc Public Policystudent], I knew I wanted to do research on behalf of a socially focused organisation for my masters dissertation, but before I came across CRIS I lacked the connections and inspiration. As long as you are clear with the organization about your skill level and any limitations, you can hone your talents while providing a much-needed service. For example, volunteering can help you to build leadership skills, especially if youre responsible for a group of people. As long as you uphold your end of the commitment to the organization, you can see first-hand what it would be like to work in that field and then decide if its something youd like to pursue down the road. Today, youre going to do something amazing. This could even lead to an alteration in career! Even skills that may be considered unrelated to an industry can still hold value as life-skills, or transferable skills. However, theres no denying the personally satisfying benefits of dedicating your time to volunteer. This is especially useful if those skills are relevant to their chosen industry. Theyll be one step ahead when it comes to entering the workplace, already equipped with some of the key skills needed for the job role. This should give you a better understanding of what the company does, while also reassuring you that they are a legitimate business. Be creative. Alternatively, you might be interested in volunteering abroad. This will broaden your network, both social andprofessional! When it comes to volunteering, there are countless opportunities at home or away. They should take the time to consider what it is that they are really passionate about, and how it could bring about change. If you are going to volunteer, especially overseas, please do your research and know what your time, talents and money are supporting, so that both you and the organization have the best possible experience. How Volunteer Work Can Help in Career Enhancement, 5 Movies That Inspire You To Volunteer Abroad. Volunteering can force you to step outside of your comfort zone, especially if youre working away from home or performing tasks that are new to you. When researching the best program to get involved in, students have the opportunity to look into each organizations mission statement and find the one that most falls in line with what volunteering means to them. public engagement skills or strategies for managing collaborative work. Through your volunteering you can acquire vital transferable skills in e.g. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, Volunteering Service Student Led Projects Registration Form, Collaborative research fair: organisation sign up, Collaborative research fair: master's student sign up, Find Your Voice: community-based research training, Student Application Form - Social Hackathons 2020. As a student doing a dissertation in this way will make you stand out from the crowd at the end of the year and help you in your future plans, whether they are continuing in academia or working in another sector. But life isnt always easy. As a vol By leaving a good impression, youll be able to call on them as you progress in your career (Or maybe you might be able to help them one day!). Of course, fundraising is an extremely important part of any charity, particularly those without government funding who rely on donations. The process of learning about different cultures and how other people live day-to-day can be eye-opening. As with any experience, you never know who youre going to meet and where, and who those people know as well. Performing a volunteer job to the best of your ability will put you on their radar, and knowing how the organization operates will give you a boost in the interview process. A quick search online will bring back plenty of organizations whose sole aim is to match people up with a cause they care about. And as a not-for-profit charity, we put anything we earn into making the union better for you. Plenty of people have left their jobs to help organizations around the world, in which case they need to apply for Visas specific to the country. Were led by students. Get up on stage. 3. If youre a student interested in volunteering at home, then research the types of organizations in your area that you may be able to help. They are also helpful in spreading the word about charity and building awareness of what they do. The Community Research for Students (CRIS) initiative is new to UCL and is designed to offeran exciting new way to do postgraduate dissertations. Community (noun): the people of a district or country considered collectively, especially in the context of social values and responsibilities;society. When not writing, Natalie can be found reading a good book with a cup of tea or planning her next travel destination. Volunteering can be an excellent way for a student to get their foot in the door and meet new people. Whether you agree to volunteer for a number of consecutive months or a day a week, the impact you have could be life-changing. It can be a wonderful way to experience another country, with support and guidance during the stay from the organizations. Students are a key demographic for many voluntary schemes because they have a lot of free hours outside of term time to commit to helping out. Well be here, every step of the way. Though networking may not necessarily be the first thing that comes to mind when people decide to work for a cause, it is an amazing perk. Heres the first CRIS graduate describing a step-by-step guide to theirexperience: Dont just take our word for it! Heres a look into how volunteering can benefit a students future: Volunteering can be a humbling experience, allowing you to see the world in a different way. Future employers who nowadays often look at an employees social media profile will be pleased to see their hard work. At home, opportunities are likely to be helping with youth clubs, childcare support, medical support or charity shops. And besides, its fun. As a student doing a dissertation in this way will make you stand out from the crowd at the end of the year and help you in your future plans, whether they are continuing in academia or working in another sector. No matter what your background or experience, youre all in one place to achieve a shared goal; better the lives of those that the charities support. Most students know their way around social media better than anyone, by taking pictures and allowing their friends to follow the progress of their charity work, they are also helping to build awareness. Volunteers are an integral part of any charitable organization; without them, there would be no charity. For example, volunteering can help you to build leadership skills, especially if youre responsible for a group of people. Volunteering is all about doing good, people who freely donate their time and energy to others enjoy positive physical and mental effects. This is particularly the case when students decide to go abroad and work for a cause. Both are worthwhile ways of giving back to the community, its completely up to the individual as to which they would prefer. Quiz: Which Conservation Project Should You Join To Volunteer In 2020? Volunteering can help increase your confidence in meeting new people, being in unfamiliar surroundings and taking on new challenges. Student volunteers are able to make a significant contribution to a charity. You can connect with her on Twitter @NatWilson976, Your email address will not be published. Meet clubs, societies and more at the Digital Welcome Fair, Community Research Initiative for Students. You can also take up a volunteering stint and in effect contribute to society. Regardless of your specific educational background or career path, volunteering can help you: If youve graduated and dont have a job lined up yet, or if youre between jobs, volunteering is a great way to minimize a gap in your resume. Research (noun): the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. First and foremost, volunteering should be about helping those in need.