Four Benefits of Volunteering

by Cuc | Jul 5, 2021

Volunteering not only connected me with a community that supported my causes but it’s also helped jumpstart my marketing career.

Volunteering has had a significant impact on me personally and professionally. It allowed me to level up my resume, and opened the door to new opportunities and connections. But most importantly, it’s been a fulfilling experience to know I’ve made a difference, big or small.

I encourage any student or professional in between jobs or careers to consider volunteering. Here are four reasons why.

1. Learn new skills and gain hands-on experience

I majored in Management Information Systems (MIS) and marketing in college. MIS was my first declared major and I was most interested in technology, so I took the IT route upon graduation. By the time I decided to change career paths, I had been out of school for almost seven years. Even though I decided to renew my educational credentials with a digital media marketing certificate, I still lack the experience needed to enter a highly competitive field. So, I looked for volunteer marketing opportunities for hands-on experience.

I joined the OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates (OCA-STL) board as their VP of Communications and Creative Director, where I led social media, email marketing, graphic design and website efforts. I also became a blog contributor and social media coordinator for Gateway Pet Guardians (GPG). I was also a GPG shelter volunteer because I love animals.

I volunteered weekly for over a year between the two organizations, which allowed me to acquire the necessary experience to obtain my first marketing role.

Tip: Research job postings and resumes examples to find what skills you need for your desired roles.

2. Leverage volunteer experience to fill employment gaps on your resume

I ended up taking a 15 month career break during my transition into marketing. While I used that time to rebrand myself as a marketer, I also pursued interests hobbies and personal projects. My break was great for my mental health and professional development, but it didn’t translate well on my resume. Even though I had listed my volunteer activities at the end of my resume, I was certain that recruiters weren’t making it past the significant employment gap.

It wasn’t until I started to leverage my volunteer work in my “Professional Experience” that I started getting responses with my applications. I was volunteering regularly and had deliverables with deadlines as I would in an employed position—only, I wasn’t getting paid. It seemed fair to leverage that experience. My “gap” ended becoming a highlight in interviews—not for the amount of time I had not worked but instead for all the things I did.

Tip: If your volunteer role demonstrates the skills a potential employer may be interested in, add it under your “Professional Experience.” Be sure to label it as a “Volunteer” position.

3. Grow your professional and personal network.

I have stayed connected to many of the individuals I met through GPG and OCA-STL. Of all the organizations I’ve joined throughout my time in school and work, OCA-STL provided me the most opportunities to expand my skills and professional network.

As a board member of OCA-STL, I got opportunities to attend galas, fundraisers, conferences, and other special events. These events helped me practice soft skills such as networking. Some of the connections I made became referrals for employment and freelance opportunities. One of my OCA-STL connections helped me land my first e-commerce web design project with a jewelry company in New York City—which was the start of my freelance design business.

Even though I am no longer active in these organizations, I remain in contact with many as they’ve also become my friends.

Tip: Sometimes who you know is just as important as what you know.

4. Pursue a passion or cause

One of the first events I attended during my career break was #STLSocialGood, a half-day summit on nonprofit social media marketing organized by the Social Media Club of St. Louis. At this event, I learned about GPG from a guest speaker who led their social media efforts. It was an inspirational moment because I realized I could volunteer for a cause I supported all while preparing for my next career. I signed up to become a GPG volunteer after that event.

Besides being involved in GPG’s digital marketing efforts, I also worked shifts at the shelter to tend to the rescues. I love animals, so it brought me a lot of joy to spend time with the shelter dogs and help them rebuild trust in humans. I even fostered from time to time. It was so rewarding to drive my foster dogs to their forever home. My favorite fostering experience was the one where I adopted one of my foster dogs, Teddy. He’s been my best friend ever since.

Tip: Being around likeminded individuals or those who share similar interests can be a lift in motivation and spirts. It can also make “work” much more rewarding!