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0 Written by Chukwuemeka Francis Nzerem
Volunteering is a valuable activity that most students seem to overlook. Whenever I mention it to my peers, their responses are usually along the lines of, “Why work for free?” or “What’s the point?” However, volunteering offers far more than just unpaid labor—it provides meaningful personal growth, skill development, and networking opportunities. In this article, I will discuss the benefits of volunteering as a student, sharing insights from my own experiences along the way.
My Volunteering Journey
I began volunteering by helping during events. I assisted with setup, serving food and beverages, and cleanup. After doing this for a while, I wanted a more permanent volunteer position. That’s when I started working with the Inter-Faith Food Bank.
I volunteered as a warehouse worker, where I helped to separate the bad food from the good ones. I bagged food and sent it to be packaged and distributed. I enjoyed doing this for many reasons. First of all, it was a great way to gain job experience. It was a great way to meet new people and interact with them. Additionally, as a student on a budget, I discovered a surprising perk—access to free groceries, but that’s a topic for another article!
The Major Benefits of Volunteering
1. Gaining Job Experience and References
So, what are the major benefits of volunteering? One of the biggest advantages of volunteering is the ability to gain job experience and professional references. Many organizations, like the Inter-Faith Food Bank, actively support volunteers in developing job-related skills.
If you volunteer in a field that aligns with your career goals—whether in sales, food service, or administration—you can gain relevant experience that enhances your resume. Additionally, volunteer coordinators can provide reference letters, which can significantly boost your chances when applying for jobs.
2. Unlocking Scholarship Opportunities
Another benefit of volunteering is eligibility for scholarships. Many awards at the university ask questions about how students have given back to the community by volunteering or doing community service. Therefore, volunteering can increase your chances of gaining a scholarship or bursary for the next semester. As an international student myself, I intend to use this advantage to its fullest to try and offset some of my student fees.
Volunteer hours can also be recorded in your MyExperience transcript, which looks good to potential employers and can even be turned into credit hours.
You can learn more about the MyExperience transcript here: https://www.ulethbridge.ca/future-student/myexperience-transcript
3. Feeling Good and Giving Back
Beyond professional and financial benefits, volunteering can simply make you feel better about yourself. It is a great way to get out, socialize, and feel good about yourself. It provides an opportunity to socialize, make meaningful connections, and contribute to the well-being of others. Giving back to the community fosters a sense of belonging and fulfillment. Knowing that your efforts are making a difference can boost your confidence and overall well-being.
How to Get Started
Now that I’ve hopefully convinced you to give volunteering a try, you might be wondering how to get started. The good news is, it’s incredibly simple—just search “Volunteer Lethbridge” in your browser! Or, visit their website here: Volunteer Lethbridge.
The Volunteer Lethbridge website is the perfect starting point for finding local volunteer opportunities. After applying, you can choose between becoming a basic or advanced volunteer. Personally, I opted for the basic level since I volunteer on a part-time basis. Once you’re registered, you’ll gain access to a wide range of opportunities, many of which you can secure with just a quick email.
Conclusion
Volunteering is very beneficial. Not only does it enhance your resume with valuable experience, but it also increases your chances of earning scholarships by demonstrating community involvement. Furthermore, giving back to your community provides a sense of fulfillment and belonging, allowing you to socialize and make a positive impact on those around you.
