![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Benefits-Of-Volunteering-For-Students-683x1024.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n10 benefits of volunteering<\/h2>\n\n\n\n1. Become involved in your community<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Volunteering is a great way to connect with your community and others who live in your area and strengthen existing relationships. Many people go about their lives without ever really getting to know their neighbors or being involved in their community. Volunteering is an easy way to become an active member of society, to help others around you, and strengthen existing relationships. Moreover, by helping others in your community, you are making it a better, friendlier place to live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Meet people and make connections<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Volunteering is a great way to meet others and make connections outside of your typical circle. In high school and college, it can be difficult to make connections outside of your classes. Work as a volunteer allows you to come into contact with people of all ages and from all walks of life. Moreover, volunteering in your field of study can help you get in touch with people who have experience and connections in your field. \u201cAnytime you get to meet someone, in any way, is a chance to network,\u201d Natalia Guarin-Klein, director of the Magner Career Center at Brooklyn College, told TUN<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The right volunteer position can help you find mentorship opportunities and professional guidance. This is a great way to meet interesting people and expand your social and professional networks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Volunteering is a great way to develop your social skills and learn to interact in professional settings. When you volunteer, you end up spending a lot of time interacting and cooperating with others, helping you build better relationships and communication skills and boost your personal and professional life. In a survey<\/a> of over 1,000 adults, nearly 90 percent said that volunteering improved their social life. When you volunteer for a cause or organization that you are interested in, you are likely to meet several people with similar interests. As a result, it is an easy way to connect with new people and find friends who share your interests and lifestyles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Volunteering improved people\u2019s sense of well-being and led to health benefits, including mental health benefits and physical health benefits, over time, according to a 2020 study<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Research also shows that volunteering has several mental health benefits<\/a>, decreasing risk of depression and reducing overall stress. It can help improve interpersonal skills and relationships, increase self-confidence, and provide a sense of purpose. Both high school<\/a> and college students<\/a> struggle with anxiety and depression, and there is evidence that volunteering can reduce these symptoms<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Volunteering has also been shown to improve physical health benefits. Several studies have connected volunteering to a variety of health benefits,<\/a> including physical health like lower blood pressure and a longer lifespan. In general, doing volunteer work is a good way to get physical activity. Many people spend large amounts of their time sitting or working on computers. One study<\/a> found that people who volunteered regularly and with altruistic intentions had lower mortality risk and longer expected lifespans. Therefore, volunteering is extremely beneficial for both physical and mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you are applying to undergrad or graduate school, volunteering can help you demonstrate positive traits such as experience, leadership, and an interest in helping your community on your application. <\/p>\n\n\n\n High school students may not have much work experience when they apply to college, and volunteering is a great way to show that you have experience in a work environment. Volunteering regularly shows that you are willing to put in time and work toward a cause that you are interested in. \u201cAdmissions folks and anybody that\u2019s shaping that class, they\u2019re looking to find students\u2019 depth of interest,\u201d educational consultant Belinda Wilkerson told TUN<\/a>. That is to say that volunteer work can be a strong addition to your college application so long as you show a long-term interest in and commitment to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are applying to graduate school, volunteering in your field can be a great way to show that you have an interest in your field beyond academics. For example, if you are interested in studying gerontology<\/a> in graduate school, you might want to pursue a volunteer position at a nursing home. Alternatively, veterinarian\u2019s school applicants may want to pursue a position at an animal shelter. In any case, volunteer positions should be one of several parts of a strong application that shows your experience in your field of study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Volunteering increases your chances of winning merit scholarships by improving your applications and opening the doors to scholarships available to those who can demonstrate service in their community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are a few examples of such scholarships:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS) Diversity Scholarship is annually awarded to minority college and university students to help them study abroad. Applicants must demonstrate high academic achievement and\/or participate in community service activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Jesse Jackson Fellows \u2013 Toyota Scholarship is annually awarded to rising undergraduate sophomores studying business or engineering. Among other things, applicants must have demonstrated participation in community service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Administered by the Stonewall Foundation, the Traub-Dicker Rainbow Scholarship is annually awarded to college-bound high school seniors and current undergraduate and graduate students. Applicants must show academic achievement, outstanding community service and leadership, and a commitment to impacting LGBTQ issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For more scholarship opportunities, check TUN\u2019s Scholarship Search Engine<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Volunteering can benefit your career prospects by helping you expand your professional network, develop skills, and improve your resume. In one survey<\/a> of volunteers, 10 percent said that they received new job offers after volunteering, and 8 percent went so far as to change careers. Furthermore, while only 30 percent of job applicants put volunteering on their resume, 86 percent of hiring influencers indicate that volunteer experience makes a resume more competitive<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you put in enough time and effort, you may even gain job opportunities at related volunteer organizations and nonprofits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Volunteering is a great way to learn new skills and sharpen those that you already have. Volunteer work varies dramatically. You might be canvassing people on the street, planting trees, or working with children or the elderly. Some organizations even need volunteers to help with administrative work. No matter what you do in your volunteer work, you will be pushed to do things you\u2019ve never done before and develop new skills. Volunteering has been shown<\/a> to have a particularly positive impact on leadership, communication, and fundraising skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You could find yourself developing a passion for your volunteer activities. Working in a shelter for animals, you may find that you love working with animals. Or perhaps by working in your community parks, you find that you love activities like gardening and working outdoors. In this way, volunteering can open you up to new experiences and engage in activities that you otherwise may never have done. It is not uncommon for people to find new passions<\/a> through their volunteer experiences. Research has indicated that volunteering not only enables people to express their passions, but can actually deepen their level of commitment to a cause<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Above all else, volunteering can be a lot of fun. Through your volunteer work, you will meet new people and have unique experiences. You may make great friends through your volunteer organization. Try signing up for volunteer opportunities with a friend so you can experience it all together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To get the most out of your volunteer experience, you should know what you want to get out of it beforehand, such as health benefits. Reflecting on these questions can help you identify what you want out of your volunteer experience whether it’s improving your mental health or making a difference in a cause that you’re passionate about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 What causes am I interested in? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You should always be invested in your volunteer work. Think about causes that are personally meaningful to you and that you would enjoy committing time to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 How much time can I commit?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s good to think about how much time you can and are willing to commit to volunteer work. If you are already very busy, even a small commitment of a few hours a week is worth doing, as many organizations are looking for any help they can get. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 What do I want to get out of volunteering?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you begin volunteering, it is important to understand what you want to get out of your volunteer experience. Evaluate your goals and priorities, such as mental and physical health, and then find organizations that can help you achieve them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 How much guidance do I want\/need? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Are you someone who thrives under direct supervision, or do you like to do things on your own? <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 What skills can I offer an organization?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Seek out volunteer opportunities where you can bring your skills to the table and make the most impact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 What skills do I want to develop?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you want to improve your interpersonal skills or develop a better grasp on your field of study or work? Think about how you want to improve so you can find a position where you can grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are several types of nonprofit and community organizations that are frequently in need of volunteers. Here are some ideas for volunteer opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you consider yourself an animal lover? Working at a local shelter is a great way to help animals in need, keep them company, and pair them with loving families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Help make your community beautiful. Many parks and community gardens and state and national parks are regularly looking for volunteers to help plant trees and flowers and clean up garbage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Food banks and pantries are always in need of help. You may be asked to help package food, cook, or serve lunch. In any case, you will be making an impact by helping deliver food to the hungry. If you are in college, look into programs helping students on your own campus. Nearly 4 in 10 college students<\/a> experience food insecurity. Look into helping your student community by volunteering in local and campus food banks, as well as student initiatives<\/a> to fight hunger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are over 500,000 people<\/a> in the U.S. experiencing homelessness every night. If you want to help those in need, working for a shelter can help make a true impact on their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Senior citizens frequently need assistance in their daily lives and many simply could use some companionship. By volunteering in a skilled nursing facility, you can bring a little extra joy to an elderly person\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are you a book lover? Many libraries need assistance with event programming and organizing their collections. As a volunteer at a library, you may help lead book discussion groups, work with children, and teach people how to read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are just a few examples of organizations that often take volunteers. If you need help finding a position as a volunteer, TUN\u2019s volunteer platform<\/a> matches eager student volunteers with the nonprofit organizations that appeal to them the most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As with many things in life, what you get out of volunteering largely depends on what you put into it. Before you start volunteering, you should identify what exactly you want to get out of it, and then find a volunteer position that matches your goals. Devote as much time as you can to your work as a volunteer. Many college towns are in need of volunteers<\/a> and student volunteer rates are down<\/a> compared to previous years. So student volunteer positions are available in many student communities. If you find the right match and put in the work, you may be surprised how much you gain from the experience, such as benefits to your mental and physical health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Volunteering is the best way to become involved and help others in your local community. Whether you are serving lunch in a food pantry or teaching English at your local library, volunteering can help you gain new skills and perspectives, help you meet new people, gain health benefits for both physical and mental health, and make you a happier person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n3. Build social skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Health benefits for both physical and mental health<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Boost school applications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 How volunteering can help with college application<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 How volunteering can help with grad school application<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
6. Earn scholarships<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 AIFS Diversity Scholarship<\/strong><\/a><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Jesse Jackson Fellows Toyota Scholarship<\/strong><\/a><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Traub-Dicker Rainbow Scholarship<\/strong><\/a><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
7. Improve career prospects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
8. Develop your skill set<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
9. Develop new interests<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
10. Have fun<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Questions you should ask yourself before you volunteer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Community service ideas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Animal shelters<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Community gardens and parks<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Food banks<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Homeless shelters<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Nursing homes<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Local libraries<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Making the most out of volunteering <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n