If you’re like the 99.9 per cent of the undergrad population, you’re probably hoping to get a job upon graduation. A job in your field and related to your degree would be ideal. But between student loan repayments and odd part-time jobs, getting your foot in the door of the ever-so competitive industry is easier said than done.
More and more, volunteering is becoming increasingly common among individuals, young and old, looking to give back to their community and earn some skills along the way.
“Regardless of debt, the more people work, the more they spend. Whereas they should be volunteering to earn skills instead of working to earn money,” says Karen Lee, employment relations at the employment agency, JobStart.
During undergrad, it’s a wise investment to spend time exploring interests and building skills through volunteering, she says.
Sure, working at a restaurant might earn you more money than working at a children’s camp, but if being a teacher is your end-goal, the skills you learn at a camp are likely more transferable toward a future long-term career than working at a restaurant.
Companies are more likely to offer paid internships to volunteers and those internships can translate to long-term careers, adds Lee.
“Many organizations look first to their volunteers when they’re trying to fill a paid position, so it can be a great way to get your foot in the door,” says Dianne Twombly, manager of career development at the Career Centre at York.
Turns out, a little sacrifice to social life and a cut to spending money can go a long way when it comes to working toward obtaining gainful employment.
“Volunteering gives you an opportunity to develop skills and gain experience while giving back to the community and it provides you with opportunities to explore a variety of career options,” says Twombly.
Through volunteering, you can try out different roles, fields, or organizations to see what might be a good fit for you in your future career, she says.
“It also gives you the chance to meet people in the working world so you can build your network and get great references,” adds Twombly.
“Working at camp allowed me to learn how to work alongside many different types of leaders, how to react quickly in situations that require you to do so, effectively manage time in order to avoid burnout, and empathize and emotionally connect with the children that you look after for weeks at a time,” says Yun Lin, a third-year human rights and equity studies student who works as the program director at Fraser Lake Camp.
It takes an incredible amount of maturity to be a camp counsellor. Tending to the needs of children 24-7 is no doubt an exhausting task.
“People who work at summer camp are able to obtain skills that many employers are looking for in today’s world. It really prepares you for the worst of times and for the best of times. Besides, who wouldn’t want to get paid to act like a kid again?” says Lin.
“Volunteering gives you the opportunity to practice and develop your social skills,” says Chinasa Modekwe, a fifth-year sociology student who volunteers at the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto and the Canadian Red Cross.
Especially if you are shy and don’t have a wide social network, volunteering can help guide you in the right direction and meet the right kind of people who can aspire you to enter a field of work you never thought about, says Modekwe.
“Volunteering has given me the opportunity to explore my interests and passions and has helped me discover the line of work I want to enter. It really has opened my horizons to the real world.”
It’s never too late to start volunteering. Start by checking out the Career Centre’s online job posting system. It lets you search and apply for volunteer opportunities, internships, full and part-time work, ensuring that you’ll be getting valuable experience in no time.
Tatiana Prisiajny, Features Editor
Featured illustration by Brenavi Balendran
