Volunteering provides valuable networking opportunities for students. It allows them to meet professionals in their field who can help them land jobs after college. While volunteering, students can gain experience relevant to their prospective careers and make connections with others studying the same major or field. These networking connections from volunteering form a support system that can assist with career advice and opportunities both during and after college.

1. Network Through
Volunteering

2. Many high school and college students
volunteer because it’s a great way to give
back to the community while impressing
prospective colleges and employers.

3. While some students may opt out of
volunteering because they already have
enough responsibilities to juggle, they could
be missing out on a much-needed networking
opportunity.

4. Networking allows students to meet like-
minded individuals who are working or will
work in their field. Of course, while some
residents of Ottawa student housing take on
unpaid positions during college, volunteering
can be difficult for those who require the
money to attend college in the first place.

5. Yet, volunteering can ultimately help students
land their dream job, as it presents invaluable
opportunities to meet professionals in their
field and exercises their ability to complete
tasks related to their prospective career.
Discover why it’s worth making time for
volunteering in your busy schedule below.

6. Volunteer for Causes You Care About
To get the most from your volunteering
experience, you can seek out an organization
that aligns with your career interests. If you’re
studying social work, for instance, landing a
volunteer position at a local shelter can help you
gain valuable insight into the field. By working
side-by-side with people already in the field,
you’ll learn more about your industry and
exercise your knowledge in real-world
situations.

7. Job Opportunities
By choosing to volunteer with an organization
whose goals align with those of your chosen
career path, you may encounter potential job
opportunities. While your future career may
seem like it’s in the distant future, it’s really not
so far away at all.

8. Meeting professionals in managerial and other
decision-making roles could help you land a job
after college. You’ll be able to showcase your
skills and talents, and they’ll be able to tell you
everything you need to know about the job.

9. Even if you choose a volunteer opportunity that
doesn’t exactly align with your career goals,
networking with individuals can still help you
land your dream job. While volunteering does
look good on a resume, so does having
references in high-level positions at any
organization.

10. Growing your Network
Volunteering also provides the unique
opportunity to grow your professional network.
You will likely meet other college students who
share your major and with whom you can
discuss your target field.

11. While these connections may not be beneficial
immediately, by building and nurturing your
relationships now, you’ll establish a network for
possible job opportunities and even advice in
the future. Of course, be sure to repay any
favors, as career development can present
challenges for everyone at one point or another.

12. Network Support Systems
The people you meet at your volunteer position
will also serve as your support system when it
comes to searching for and finding jobs after
college. The initial search can be difficult, but
your fellow volunteers may come across job
opportunities that don’t fit their needs.

13. They can then pass this information along to
you. Whether you find success in your job hunt
immediately or someone else from your
network does, you can exchange ideas and share
advice. For instance, take a look at each other’s
resumes and offer interview tips to one another.
This way, everyone in the network can benefit
from shared knowledge and experience, and will
know what to expect when applying for similar
jobs.