C A N D Y R O B I N S O N

W E 1 2

N O V . 8 , 2 0 1 2

H O U S T O N , T X

Career Growth Through Volunteering

I have gained immensely through volunteering.

Society of Women Engineers

IEEE

Mentoring (MentorNet, Girls Inc pilot, Big Sister)

Sunday School Teacher

Toastmasters

Leah Jamieson, IEEE Fellow

• Dean of engineering , Purdue University

• President of the IEEE Foundation

• 2007 IEEE President

Top benefits of volunteering*

Improve interpersonal skills (79%)

Develop better communication skills (68%)

Increased knowledge about issues related to their volunteering (63%)

*2000 National Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating (NSGVP)

Learn or develop a new skill.

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” Mahatma Gandhi

Planning and implementing a major fundraising event can develop goal setting, planning and budgeting skills.

Supervising and training other volunteers helps to develop supervisory and training skills.

Be part of your professional community.

Help others.

Have an impact on people’s wellbeing.

Gain motivation and a sense of achievement.

Volunteering is about giving your time, energy and skills freely.

A sense of achievement and motivation is ultimately generated from your desire and enthusiasm to help.

No one person can solve all the world’s problems, but what you can do is make that little corner of the world where you live just that little bit better.

Gain new interests and hobbies.

Create balance.

Find new interests and hobbies.

The energy and sense of fulfillment can carry over to work.

Explore opportunities and expand your horizons (EWB).

Volunteering is good for your mind and body.

Volunteering increases self-confidence.

Volunteering combats depression.

Volunteering helps you stay physically healthy.

Send a signal to your employer, teachers, friends and family…

Your employer is interested in a good work-life balance.

Academic institutions are interested in your extra-curricular activities.

Volunteering gives real examples of your commitment, dedication and interests.

Show people what you are passionate about and maybe you will inspire them too!

Boost your career options.

A survey carried out by TimeBank through Reed Executive showed that among 200 of the UK’s leading businesses:

73% of employers would recruit a candidate with volunteering experience over one without

94% of employers believe that volunteering can add to skills

94% of employees who volunteered to learn new skills had benefited either by getting their first job, improving their salary, or being promoted

Volunteering is also a perfect way to explore new fields.

Volunteering may help your career more than you think.

Don’t use the title “volunteer.”

Describe your charity work in terms of achievements.

Volunteer work should supplement, not distract.

Integrate volunteer experience into the main body of your resume.

Find the right opportunities that match your goals and temperament.

Do you prefer to work alone or as part of a team?

Are you better behind the scenes or do you prefer to take a more visible role?

How much time are you willing to commit?

How much responsibility are you ready to take on?

What skills can you bring a volunteer job?

What causes are important to you?

Enjoy and benefit from your volunteering.

Ask questions.

Make sure you know what’s expected.

Don’t be afraid to make a change.

Enjoy yourself.

References

Benefits of Volunteering, from the World Volunteer Web. Energize Inc, http://www.energizeinc.com/art/subj/Benefits.html Ten Professional Development Benefits of Volunteering (Everything

I Learned in Life I Learned through Volunteering). Mary V. Merrill, LSW, Merrill Associates

” Volunteers Making a Difference: Leah Jamieson,” by KathyKowalenko , The IEEE Institute Alert, 9 July 2012.

“Volunteering and its Surprising Benefits,” Joanna Saisan, M.S.W., Melinda Smith, M.A., and Gina Kemp, M.A., http://www.helpguide.org/life/volunteer_opportunities_benefits_volunteering.htm, June 2012.

“Volunteering may help your career more than you think,” Meg Handley, http://blog.brazencareerist.com/2011/09/07/volunteering-helps-your-career/.