Top Three Reasons to Start Volunteering Again

In high school we are required to volunteer for 40 hours to graduate but do we really understand the value of those volunteer hours? I volunteered in the library among other things to complete my volunteer hours. I was quite introverted, and the library was a silent space where I felt comfortable. Fast forward a few years and I am now a Job Skills Counsellor and workshop facilitator, which means I am constantly presenting. So, how did I develop my skills and get out of my introverted shell? Through VOLUNTEERING.

When people talk about volunteering, they will tell you that it looks good on your resume and that you should give back to your community. But there’s a lot more volunteering can do for you. So, here are three exceptional benefits to volunteering.

1. Assertive Communication

One thing I quickly learned from volunteering was that my communication style needed work. Specifically, I needed to be more assertive. I was introverted in high school, but looking back I was also very passive when communicating with others. I didn’t speak up when I needed to and volunteering in a school library did not push me out of that comfort zone. Then I became a volunteer attendant in a Supervised Access Program. I took on a role where I had to speak up and communicate clearly with a lot of people. I learned from others how they communicate assertively, and I emulated it. As someone who was interested in Social Work, I learned a lot about effective communication and active listening. This skill has been an underlying factor in my personal and professional growth since then.

2. Networking

In university I had this class activity where I had to participate in something new on campus. I decided to attend a weekly event called Conversation Café. That afternoon I got to meet students from other programs at the school, including international students. I had so much fun, I kept going back week after week. Eventually this turned into a paid position when I was hired as the Conversation Café Coordinator. I looked forward to meeting new people and seeing the regular attendees. It was an informal, fun way to connect with others. I even realized that I liked working with international students and that new opportunities can come at any time. This also encouraged me to volunteer for other events on campus as a student.

3. Emotional Intelligence and Empathy

The biggest thing I learned from volunteering was emotional intelligence. According to this article by Forbes, emotional intelligence is one of the most essential soft skills needed in today’s workplace.  Emotional intelligence requires self-awareness, social skills, and empathy. Volunteering helped me to improve on all three levels. As an individual in the human services field, emotional intelligence is a skill I use daily. Learning to interact with different people in various situations has taught me patience and understanding which simply can’t be learned through education alone. Opening myself up to interactions with other people showed me how to be conversational and make people feel welcome.

So, what are the biggest takeaways?

• Start volunteering as soon as you can.
• Keep an open mind about volunteering.  For example, joining First Work’s Youth Council and taking on an executive role, is something I have never done before and previously would never have considered.
• You can gain confidence from being able to try new roles and learn in the workplace.

Find an opportunity that interests you, fits your time commitment, and start volunteering today!