3 Ways Volunteering Improves Your Career

I was raised by a community builder. At 11 years old, I learned to introduce myself and offer my handshake at Chamber of Commerce events in Jacksonville, where I grew up in the 70s and 80s.  My father’s community paper was filled with articles of volunteer projects, cub scout achievements, and youth sports weekly results.  If someone would call in the score, and my dad could confirm it, he would run it.  My father served on the local Chamber of Commerce board and the Florida Press Association Board, among others. Later on as an adult, I followed my father’s lead as I built my skills, contacts and industry reputation through strategic volunteering. After 40 years of volunteering, I enjoy connecting the dots for others on how to align your skills with your passions for success. I believe that you CAN both do well and do good. Here are three ways volunteering can help your future. 

1. FIND YOUR PEOPLE - Whether you love animals, plants, yoga, or robotics, there are clubs and associations in most areas that could probably use some help.  Find a club or meetup in your area and attend a meeting as a guest. Volunteering for organizations and causes you believe in can provide a mental wellness lift. And developing friendships as an adult around common positive values has shown to increase longevity and improve happiness levels.  

1. GROW YOUR SKILLS – As a mom and a working professional, volunteering offered opportunities to strengthen my organizational and diplomacy skills. Unique opportunities such as: food service for 80 people multiple days at youth swim meets or serving as the Board Secretary for the Florida Audubon. 

1. GROW YOUR NETWORK – The above volunteer jobs also connected me with individuals and organizations that became important contacts in my professional network. Developing contacts in the arena of giving back often creates a stronger bond and history that leads to future professional success. 

As my father modeled for me growing up, volunteering is one of the most giving paths to success. Because the good you put out, always comes back.   

This is why volunteering will always be a large part of my life.  I encourage those I coach to look around for a nonprofit in their community or even a trade association in their industry or area of study. Investigate groups you are interested in. I always believe you should do your due diligence and then, if you are moved help the organization be successful, adjust your calendar accordingly.  

Everyone has a little time each week/month that they could carve out to improve their life.Volunteering can be hard to fit in, but the rewards are worth it.