How Volunteering Helped Me Grow

Too often you don’t get what we want at work because we don’t know how to navigate the organizational culture, or you might be shy or simply just do not have the skills. This month we will give you tools and techniques for achieving the desires of your heart on the job.

I have always been an avid volunteer. Volunteering has always been something I looked forward to as escape from every day work life and to help others. It has helped me grow both personally and professionally. Most of my volunteering has been for causes that are important to me personally. For example, I serve the American Heart Association because of personal tragedy. I have also volunteered with organizations that are committed to advancing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, which is also one of my passions.

Through my volunteer activities I have acquired and improved upon many skills that help me perform better in my career. I have gained leadership, decision making, communication and networking skills. I have also established several relationships with people that have become career mentors.

I highly recommend that everyone find time to serve their community. As today’s Work Work of the Day reminds us:

http://www.letstalkaboutwork.tv/Work can become all consuming if you allow it. Round out your existence with outside activities that allow you to share your talents with others. —Mary-Frances Winters

Where Can You Volunteer?

What are your interests? Assess your personal interests and try to find an organization that matches.

What skills are you lacking? If you need to improve on certain skills, try to find an activity that will assist. For example, working with an organization like Habitat for Humanity can help you with teamwork and leadership skills.

Who would you like to meet? Perhaps you want to change careers and need to network with people within that field. Seek out organizations and activities that will put you face to face with those people that can help.

Check out Volunteer Match to find volunteer opportunities in your community.

Go for it!