While it’s incredibly tempting to spend all your precious free time binging on Netflix or scrolling through Instagram, there’s something you can do that is a) just as enjoyable and b) has a whole host of benefits that could potentially transform your life.
We're talking about volunteering. Whether it's helping care for endangered animals abroad or becoming a leader at your local Girl Guide group, there are literally thousands of student volunteer opportunities available.
And doing it can really benefit you in a number of ways – boosting your confidence, circle of friends, and employability after uni. Opportunities may be limited at the moment with Coronavirus restrictions, but it helps to know what voluntary options you have.
So, what are you waiting for? Our ultimate guide to student volunteering has all the details you need to get started.
Why you should volunteer while at college or university
It boosts your university application and CV university application form
It makes you look proactive, reliable, and enthusiastic - all traits employers look for in employees.
Volunteering also helps you gain valuable experience to help you in your chosen career. For example, if you're studying medicine marketing
Plus, it gives you other real-world ‘soft skills’ that employers love to see on your CV
You may even find you can fast-track your career (and your salary!) to a higher level than other graduates – especially if you volunteer in positions where you are actively managing or leading others.
Student volunteering equips you with new skills
Plus, as mentioned above, you’ll learn transferable skills that employers are looking for. Not only that – but you may find you can pick up skills that allow you to apply for careers that you didn’t think you could before.
Try out different careers with volunteering teaching
Volunteering can help you there. It lets you test out new and sometimes completely different jobs to the one you're studying towards.
You never know, you could end up enjoying the work you do in your volunteering role so much that you get inspired to choose a completely different career path
And in some cases, volunteering can lead to paid work if the organisation you're working for thinks you're good enough to offer you a job.
You can meet new friends and experience new cultures
Even if you're volunteering in the UK, you’ll get to meet a whole bunch of new people, of all ages and from a variety of different backgrounds. It’s an opportunity to learn new languages
It can help you network
You may find yourself volunteering alongside people who are already really successful in their own careers – people could potentially help mentor you, be a reference on your CV, or even help you find a job when you graduate from uni.
By taking part in a variety of volunteering projects you could build a little black book full of handy business connections that may come in handy in the future.
It makes you feel good
Well, that’s the same warm and fuzzy feeling you get inside when you’ve helped someone else through volunteering. Don’t believe me, then try it!
That’s not to mention the pride you feel in accomplishing things you never thought you could do – like giving a speech in front of dozens of people, encouraging them to donate, or leading an expedition through the treacherous jungles of Nicaragua.
You’re helping others
Volunteering really is a great thing to do with your spare time – both for yourself and for others in need. It really is a win-win for all.
And don’t forget – you don’t need to give up all of your spare time to sow and reap the benefits of volunteering. If you only have an hour or two a week – you can find an opportunity to volunteer and make a difference.
What volunteer work can you do?
There’s something for everyone, depending on what your interests are. Here’s a list of some of the things you could find yourself doing.
Volunteering with animals
In the UK, you could find work helping clean out and feeding animals at a local animal shelter, or looking after the horses and children at a disabled riding centre. Many of these opportunities only require volunteers to give a couple of hours of their time.
If you can commit to something more, there are even opportunities to become a pet foster carer – helping look after the pets of women and children escaping from domestic violence in your own home.
If you want to help animals of a bigger, more exotic kind, there are many wildlife and marine conservation opportunities available. You could be helping rehabilitate elephants in Cambodia or helping turtle hatchlings reach the water after they're born in Costa Rica.
Volunteering abroad
From surfing and snorkeling your way around Australia, while helping with environmental conservation efforts, to watching the sun setting over the Taj Mahal before teaching English
Volunteering with children
If you're looking for volunteer work in the UK, you could do anything from helping children learn key skills and have fun by being a Scout Leader, or if you're a bit of a maths whizz you could become a volunteer tutor, helping children with learning difficulties.
If you're looking for opportunities abroad, then you could volunteer to not only teach children English but actually help build their new school in places such as Africa and Indonesia.
Online volunteering
Sure, you might not get to meet loads of new people this way, so that benefit isn’t really there, but it can be a way to gain invaluable skills and experience for your CV .
For example, if you're looking to study for a degree and career in marketing, then volunteering as an online marketing assistant working from home could be great for your CV, and could even lead to a permanent job in the end.
This is only just a snippet of the kinds of opportunities available right now. If you want to find the right project for you to get involved with, here’s a list of organisations with volunteer opportunities to help you get started in your search.
Gap year/volunteer opportunities abroad
GVI GVI
They take safety very seriously with a high staff to volunteer ratios and in-depth risk audits taken for every placement.
gapFORCE Gapforce organise unique and exciting overseas volunteer projects, run by UK-trained, highly skilled, and knowledgeable leaders. They run projects across the world – ranging from jungle trekking in central America to teaching English in Tibet.
Volunteer opportunities in the UK
Do-it Do-it
Food Cycle
Love cooking? Hate food waste. Keen to give those with less the chance to eat good food?
If you’ve ticked any of those boxes, FoodCycle could have the opportunity for you. They help people who are hungry and lonely by cooking up surplus food into tasty lunches and dinners for them at over 41 sites across the UK.
If you’re a budding chef– or want to hone your skills – you can work as a cook. If that’s not your thing, you can still help out as a host or food collector.
This opportunity really is a winner winner, chicken dinner!
Nightline Nightline .
As the name suggests, Nightline is a listening service run by students for students. It’s open each term night and volunteers answer calls, emails, or texts from troubled students, talking them through their feelings and helping them find a solution to their problems.
Key things to consider about volunteering
With that said, here are some important things to consider and remember before saying yes to any volunteer opportunity.
Think about how much time you can really dedicate – and make sure you honour your commitments. No one likes a flake! Consider what else you have going on or coming up in your life – exams, holidays, other work commitments and plan your volunteer work accordingly.
Another thing to factor in is that volunteer work can be tiring – mentally and physically. While you may want to help others as much as you can – make sure you do leave time to have fun and relax. You’ve earned it, being so good!
Think about the costs
Before you sign up for anything, check with the organisation what is covered and what, if any, costs will be reimbursed to you by the organisation in return for you giving up your time.
Think about your health and safety
Even if you're only volunteering locally, think about your safety. If you're planning on working with animals, outdoors, or with vulnerable people, make sure you do the research and are aware of any risks you might be taking. Speak to the organisations running the projects to see how they assess risk and work to keep you and other volunteers safe.
Don’t forget to have fun!
So go out and explore the wonderful world of volunteering.
If you're a student and you’ve had the experience of volunteering, please do get in touch! We’d love to hear your stories. Drop us an email at editor@whatuni.com .
NEXT:
- 5 skills every student should have on their CV
- How to boost your CV during the holidays
