4 Benefits of Volunteering And How You Can Get Started

A 2019 study shows that more Singaporeans are engaging in volunteerism. That same year, the Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth (MCCY) revealed that volunteer sign-ups rose from 22,000 the previous year to 28,000.

Volunteer work means offering your time or lending your talent to a cause without being paid. As Singaporeans learned the benefits of volunteering, they've become increasingly involved in charitable initiatives. Even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual volunteering efforts were commonplace. A 2021 survey by the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre indicated that 37 per cent of its respondents signed up for volunteering online. The sample group showed that many Singaporeans preferred joining welfare-focused organisations for their volunteer work. 

While one of the primary benefits of volunteering is that it's good for the soul, did you know it can boost your career too?  

Career Benefits of Volunteering

1. It expands your network.

When you volunteer, you feel that you are part of a community. You get an opportunity to build new professional relationships and broaden your knowledge in other industries. When this happens, you grow your contacts, which in turn helps you grow your professional network. 

Networking is one of the ways you can expand and grow your career. It allows you access to people in your industry and beyond. Meeting new people in your profession can give you more insights into your field – something that always comes in handy.

Here are some ways you can network while volunteering:

Join organised groups. 

Look for professionals in your field that have gathered together to address a common problem in your community. Being with like-minded people will give you access to leaders in the industry who can serve as your role models – maybe even mentors. Volunteering via a professional group also adds an extra line to your resumé, which you'll learn about later.

Get to know everyone.

When you sign up for a nonprofit organisation, you will meet fellow volunteers, beneficiaries, and benefactors that you would not have otherwise met. Make time to get to know the people around you. It will help people associate your business or your line of work with your amiable personality. Taking an interest in others is usually reciprocated. Developing friendships may help you gain referrals or build your brand.

Go to big events. 

Large corporations either send their employees to volunteer or sponsor events through financial giving. These big events are an excellent opportunity to meet people who come from a wide variety of fields and industries. If you can manage it, introduce yourself to the event's backers. It will reinforce the impression that you share a deep interest in what they value.

2. It adds experience to your resume.

Doing volunteer work is one of the ways you can stand out from your peers. It is also something that employers are keen on discovering about you.

Whether you are a career starter or someone with an already established work history, one of the benefits of volunteering is giving you valuable experience to add to your resume. Below are some skills that you can hone by doing volunteer work. It may not seem obvious, but these are crucial qualities to help you thrive at work.  

Compassion 

The willingness to improve people's lives is one of the prime motivations for volunteer work. This skill is necessary for the workplace because it allows you to empathise with and understand your team. It lets you see beyond the numbers and productivity. Acknowledging your colleagues' needs, especially if you are in a leadership role. Knowing you care about their welfare makes them feel valued, thus fueling their motivation and productivity.

Teamwork 

Volunteer work spurs you to collaborate with people from different walks of life. It's easy to see how this can translate to your company since many projects require working in groups. You must be able to work well with all kinds of personalities and strike a happy balance to achieve your objectives.

Commitment

When your resume shows that you can commit to a particular cause for no financial remuneration, it proves you are responsible enough to see your tasks through to completion.

Time management

Most volunteer opportunities are time-sensitive. Volunteer work demonstrates that you can meet deadlines and juggle a variety of tasks. Managing a finite resource like time shows that when it comes to your duties in the office, you can anticipate obstacles and will find ways around them.

Even if you are transitioning between jobs or industries, volunteering can help you acquire new skills that can apply to many fields.

3. It increases your confidence on the job.

Sometimes you get in a career rut and find yourself uninterested in the work you do. Finding yourself in this situation is perfectly normal, and many factors can trigger it. Volunteer work can help bring the spark back to your 9-5. For one, it's a new challenge. Volunteering also gives you a very clear, very compassionate objective.

Here’s a checklist of transferrable skills you can refer to so you can see which ones you can offer as a volunteer. It can also help you assess which traits you need to develop further.

4. It makes you feel better about yourself.

Did you know that volunteering is good for your health? According to a Harvard study, those who engage in at least two hours of volunteer work a week lower their risk of early death, become more physically active, and improve their well-being. Charitable activities help define your sense of purpose – which is crucial in preventing languishing. 

In addition to getting recognition in the workplace for your achievements, volunteering helps you feel better about yourself because you are contributing to a cause you support. 

It is likely that when you volunteer, you are contributing to an area where you feel most comfortable. Knowing that your skills make a difference in people's lives raises your self-esteem. It makes you feel better about yourself, enabling you to better deal with all kinds of stress, even work-related ones.

How to Start Volunteering

1. Determine how much time you can give.

Before anything else, ask yourself how much time you can commit to volunteering. Is this something you would like to do for a couple of hours daily or can you devote a full day on weekends?

The rise of opportunities to volunteer virtually also gives you more options, especially if you can't dedicate your actual, physical presence.

2. Decide which causes to care about.

To make volunteer work more engaging and less of a chore, choose an organisation whose cause you feel passionate about. Here are some of the more common volunteer opportunities around:

Retirement homes

Volunteers in retirement homes provide entertainment for the people living there. You can teach simple crafts, perform for fun, or even just keep them company. 

Animal shelters 

Feeding the animals, providing transportation for fellow volunteers or providing administrative help are some examples of volunteer work that you can do for animal shelters. 

Homeless shelters. 

Many volunteer opportunities are available for homeless shelters, like buying and preparing meals. You can also set up either the kitchen or the dining area for the diners. Another way you can help is by cleaning up after mealtimes.

3. Identify skills and knowledge you can offer.

Generally, organisations on the lookout for volunteers ask for help in specific areas. Libraries, for instance, may announce a need for readers for young children. Before volunteering, set aside some time and give yourself an honest evaluation. See if there is a match between what you are good at or are knowledgeable about and the requirement advertised. If your skills don't seem like a good fit, check if you have had previous experience related to the needs they specified.

Most nonprofits offer basic training in their organisation for potential volunteers. Take advantage of this so you know how you can better prepare for your role as a volunteer.

Other than helping nonprofits with their operations and putting your spare time to good use, there are many benefits to volunteering, especially for your career. #SEEKBetter by improving your well-being and helping others as well.

To get more ideas on how to have a flourishing career, check out JobStreet's Career Resources hub. You can also download the JobStreet app (available on the App Store and Google Play) to discover how you can #SEEKBetter with better job opportunities.