Volunteering is a great way for high school and college students to broaden their horizons and beef up their resumes. Choosing a community organization with a mission you are interested in can mean helping a cause close to your heart as well as learning skills for the future and, possibly, future volunteer endeavors in different communities or even other countries.
Most community service organizations have a single focus. Whether it is feeding the hungry, cleaning up the environment or protecting animals, choose an organization with a cause that fits your ideals. If you have a sincere desire to help an organization with its mission, you are more likely to remain active as a volunteer.
Center your volunteer services around your current talents and skills. If you enjoy working with people, recruiting other volunteers or greeting participants at an event may be a good way for you to help. If you prefer to perform manual labor tasks, packing and carrying boxes of non-perishable food items might be a good volunteer option for you.
Some organizations need help in their offices. If you want to work in an administrative or clerical capacity after graduation, offer to help with filing, copying, answering phones or drafting letters to gain valuable office skills and experience while you are still in school.
Talk with a representative from the organization you would like to help. Tell him or her what skills you already have and what ones you would like to learn or develop. Someone familiar with the organization should be able to help you decide what type of volunteer service you can offer that will benefit both you and the group while furthering its cause.
The experience students gain when volunteering in their local communities can help them for the rest of their lives. They can learn valuable people skills, management techniques and organization concepts. In addition to developing these skills, students can add their volunteer services to their resumes. Companies typically prefer to hire applicants who have looked for opportunities to expand their knowledge and make themselves more well-rounded employees.