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Volunteering helps you give back in countless different ways—and with websites like VolunteerMatch , it’s easier than ever to get started. You can also search for organizations that match your passions and interests, and look for volunteer positions that seem like a good fit for your skills and capabilities. We’ll cover everything you need to know, including how to become a volunteer, different organizations you can work with, and all the different benefits volunteering has to offer.
Things You Should Know
- Visit VolunteerMatch to find volunteer opportunities in your area.
- Volunteer internationally with organizations like International Volunteer HQ and the Peace Corps .
- Work with organizations that match your interests and passions, like the ASPCA (animal welfare), Greenpeace (environmental advocacy), or Amnesty USA (human rights).
Steps
Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat are the best volunteer opportunities?Archana Ramamoorthy is the Chief Technology Officer, North America at Workday She is a product ninja, security advocate, and on a quest to enable more inclusion in the tech industry. Archana received her BS from SRM University and MS from Duke University and has been working in product management for over 8 years.Focus on what you are passionate about. When I was looking for volunteering opportunities, I thought about what I really wanted to give back to people. Leadership is one area I'm very passionate about, so I wanted to see how I could help women develop leadership skills.
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QuestionWhere can I find work in a voluntary organization?Community AnswerLook online for opportunities near you or reach out to an organization in your area.
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QuestionWhere can a kid volunteer at?Life attacheCommunity AnswerA kid can volunteer at many places! Just check the age requirements and/or if a parent/guardian needs to accompany you before you sign up. The organization's website might have this information, or a phone number you could call to find out.
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Tips
- If you’re offered a leadership position or nominated to be an officer, carefully consider whether you can handle the extra commitment. If you love being in the middle of the action, a leadership position might not be the best option for you in the long term.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.wcsu.edu/community-engagement/benefits-of-volunteering/
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/volunteering-and-its-surprising-benefits.htm
- ↑ https://www.dosomething.org/us/articles/9-places-to-volunteer-online-and-make-a-real-impact
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/volunteering-and-its-surprising-benefits.htm
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/volunteering-and-its-surprising-benefits.htm
- ↑ https://www.wcsu.edu/community-engagement/benefits-of-volunteering/
- ↑ https://www.wcsu.edu/community-engagement/benefits-of-volunteering/
About This Article
Article Summary
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To volunteer, start by searching for an organization that focuses on something you feel strongly about, like an animal shelter if you have a passion for animals, or a hospital if you are interested in medicine. If you need helping finding a place to volunteer, use a website like serve.gov to help you choose one that matches what you’re interested in. You can also ask friends where they volunteer and ask them for feedback on their experience to help you make a decision. For tips on what to do if you’re unhappy in your volunteer position, keep reading.
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Reader Success Stories
- "I've been trying to find some sort of a volunteering organization, or any project I can help with for a while now. I feel that the work my family and I do to help others (recycling, giving our old clothes to people on need) is good, but I wanted something more organized. The problem until now was that I wasn't aware of how many ways one can volunteer. This article showed me that the possibilities to help others are endless, as long as we think about it and get creative!" ..." more
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"I've been trying to find some sort of a volunteering organization, or any project I can help with for a while now. I feel that the work my family and I do to help others (recycling, giving our old clothes to people on need) is good, but I wanted something more organized. The problem until now was that I wasn't aware of how many ways one can volunteer. This article showed me that the possibilities to help others are endless, as long as we think about it and get creative!"
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"I think this article helped me to realize that an aptitude test, like what they give a freshman in college, and talking to a guidance counselor for past and present interest, would be a good start, to find out what I like and what I would do good at."
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"Very useful. It gave me a better picture about communicating with a physically-challenged person, especially not to use the terms taught in many programs. "
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"I really needed to know how to volunteer for one of my modules in WorkSkills; this really helped me get the knowledge that was required for this unit."
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"Thanks to the author of this article. It helps in choosing the field in which you may volunteer."
