Volunteering is very important if you are in the financial capacity to donate time and not get paid as much or at all for it. The benefits of volunteering are uncountable. You will have a better understanding of what it is like to help someone else. You will also find you feel much better about yourself for doing something so valuable.
There is an endless list of places you can volunteer your time. Some pay minimally and some do not pay at all. Some places to go about volunteering are:
- Soup kitchens for the poor and homeless
- Churches and religious organizations
- Area parks and recreation organizations
- American Red Cross or equivalent blood/organ donation center
- Schools
- Day care centers
- Habitat for Humanity or equivalent housing assistance group
- Hospitals
- Emergency responding organizations (may require training)
- Libraries
- Drug and alcohol inpatient and outpatient clinics
Getting the job is very easy. It is similar to getting a full time job with any company. In some cases, there is an application process that requires a resume, application, and potentially proof of training if training is necessary. Many times, you can get connections from someone you know that is connected to the organization you desire to work for. Since these organizations have a low payroll if at all, the amount of people working does not concern them, so there are plenty of hours to be had.
There are two appealing factors to consider when assessing organizations to volunteer with. First, some volunteering positions do pay a little, so that might be something to look for if you are the kind that would be uncomfortable working or volunteering for no pay. Second, if you are good at your job when volunteering, it can either go well on a resume or get you promoted to a higher position that does pay and turns into a career.
