This document discusses the many benefits of volunteering, including improving interpersonal and communication skills, increasing knowledge, learning new skills, gaining a sense of achievement, expanding social and professional networks, and enhancing career opportunities. Volunteering is also good for mental and physical well-being, as it combats depression and helps maintain health. The document encourages finding volunteer roles that match individual interests and temperaments, and emphasizes enjoying and benefiting from the volunteering experience.

1. CAND Y RO BI NSO N
WE 1 2
NO V . 8, 2 01 2
H O U ST O N , T X
Career Growth Through
Volunteering

2. I have gained immensely through volunteering.
 Society of Women Engineers
 IEEE
 Mentoring (MentorNet, Girls Inc pilot,
Big Sister)
 Sunday School Teacher
 Toastmasters

3. Leah Jamieson, IEEE Fellow
• Dean of engineering ,
Purdue University
• President of the IEEE
Foundation
• 2007 IEEE President

4. Top benefits of volunteering*
Improve interpersonal skills (79%)
Develop better communication
skills (68%)
Increased knowledge about issues
related to their volunteering (63%)
*2000 National Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating (NSGVP)

5. Learn or develop a new skill.
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as
if you were to live forever.” Mahatma Gandhi
 Planning and implementing a major
fundraising event can develop goal setting,
planning and budgeting skills.
 Supervising and training other volunteers
helps to develop supervisory and
training skills.

6. Be part of your professional community.
Help others.
Have an impact on people’s
wellbeing.

7. Gain motivation and a sense of achievement.
 Volunteering is about giving your time,
energy and skills freely.
 A sense of achievement and motivation is
ultimately generated from your desire and
enthusiasm to help.
 No one person can solve all the world’s
problems, but what you can do is make that
little corner of the world where you live just
that little bit better.

8. Gain new interests and hobbies.
Create balance.
Find new interests and hobbies.
The energy and sense of
fulfillment can carry over to
work.
Explore opportunities and
expand your horizons (EWB).

9. Volunteering is good for your mind and body.
Volunteering increases self-
confidence.
Volunteering combats depression.
Volunteering helps you stay
physically healthy.

10. Send a signal to your employer, teachers, friends and
family…
 Your employer is interested in a good work-
life balance.
 Academic institutions are interested in your
extra-curricular activities.
 Volunteering gives real examples of your
commitment, dedication and interests.
 Show people what you are passionate about
and maybe you will inspire them too!

11. Leah Jamieson, IEEE Fellow
• Dean of engineering ,
Purdue University
• President of the IEEE
Foundation
• 2007 IEEE President

12. Volunteering may help your career more than you
think.
 Don’t use the title “volunteer.”
 Describe your charity work in terms of
achievements.
 Volunteer work should supplement, not
distract.
 Integrate volunteer experience into the
main body of your resume.

13. Find the right opportunities that match your
goals and temperament.
 Do you prefer to work alone or as part of a
team?
 Are you better behind the scenes or do you
prefer to take a more visible role?
 How much time are you willing to commit?
 How much responsibility are you ready to
take on?
 What skills can you bring a volunteer job?
 What causes are important to you?

14. Enjoy and benefit from your volunteering.
Ask questions.
Make sure you know what’s
expected.
Don’t be afraid to make a
change.
Enjoy yourself.

15. References
 Benefits of Volunteering, from the World Volunteer Web.
 Energize Inc, http://www.energizeinc.com/art/subj/Benefits.html
 Ten Professional Development Benefits of Volunteering (Everything
I Learned in Life I Learned through Volunteering). Mary V. Merrill,
LSW, Merrill Associates
 ” Volunteers Making a Difference: Leah Jamieson,” by Kathy
Kowalenko , The IEEE Institute Alert, 9 July 2012.
 “Volunteering and its Surprising Benefits,” Joanna Saisan, M.S.W.,
Melinda Smith, M.A., and Gina Kemp, M.A.,
http://www.helpguide.org/life/volunteer_opportunities_benefits_v
olunteering.htm, June 2012.
 “Volunteering may help your career more than you think,” Meg
Handley,
http://blog.brazencareerist.com/2011/09/07/volunteering-helps-
your-career/.