What Does Volunteering Teach You?
7 mins read

What Does Volunteering Teach You?

Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community and make a difference in the lives of others. But did you know that volunteering can also teach you a lot about yourself?

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According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, over 62.6 million Americans volunteered in 2018. That’s a lot of people who are giving their time and energy to help others!

So, what does volunteering teach you? Here are just a few of the things you can learn:

Empathy

When you volunteer, you put yourself in the shoes of others. You get to see the world from their perspective and understand their needs. This can help you develop empathy for people from all walks of life.

what does volunteering teach you

Compassion

Volunteering can also help you develop compassion. When you see people who are struggling, you may feel inspired to help them in any way you can. This can lead to a more compassionate and caring attitude towards others.

What Does Volunteering Teach You?

Tolerance

Volunteering exposes you to people from all different backgrounds. This can help you learn about different cultures and perspectives. It can also help you become more tolerant of people who are different from you.

Responsibility

When you volunteer, you are responsible for your actions. You need to be reliable and accountable. This can help you develop a sense of responsibility.

Leadership

Volunteering can also teach you leadership skills. When you work with others to achieve a common goal, you can learn how to lead and motivate others.

Empathy

Problem-solving

Volunteering often involves solving problems. You may need to find creative ways to help people or overcome challenges. This can help you develop your problem-solving skills.

Communication

Volunteering requires you to communicate with people from all walks of life. This can help you develop your communication skills.

Teamwork

Volunteering often involves working with others as a team. This can help you develop your teamwork skills.

Skill

Self-confidence

Volunteering can help you build self-confidence. When you help others, you see that you can make a difference in the world. This can give you a sense of accomplishment and pride.

Humility

Volunteering can also help you develop humility. When you work with people who are less fortunate than you, you may realize that you have a lot to be grateful for. This can help you become more humble and appreciative of what you have.

These are just a few of the things you can learn from volunteering. If you are looking for a way to give back to your community and make a difference in the lives of others, volunteering is a great option. You will not only help others, but you will also learn a lot about yourself in the process.

Benefits of Volunteering for Students

Volunteering is a great way for students to get involved in their community and make a difference. It can also help them develop important skills that will benefit them in their personal and professional lives.

According to a study by the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA, students who volunteer are more likely to:

  • Graduate from college
  • Have higher GPAs
  • Be satisfied with their college experience
  • Get involved in other extracurricular activities
  • Have a strong sense of civic responsibility

Volunteering can also help students develop the following skills:

  • Leadership
  • Teamwork
  • Communication
  • Problem-solving
  • Critical thinking
  • Empathy
  • Compassion
  • Tolerance
  • Responsibility
  • Self-confidence
  • Humility

These skills are essential for success in college and in the workplace. They can also help students become more well-rounded individuals.

How to Find Volunteer Opportunities

There are many ways to find volunteer opportunities. You can start by searching online for volunteer opportunities in your area. You can also contact local non-profit organizations and ask if they need volunteers.

Here are some tips for finding volunteer opportunities:

  • Think about your interests and skills. What do you enjoy doing? What are you good at? There are volunteer opportunities available for all interests and skills.
  • Consider your time constraints. How much time do you have to volunteer? There are volunteer opportunities that require a few hours a week, a few hours a month, or even just a few hours a year.
  • Look for opportunities that are close to home or work. This will make it easier for you to get to your volunteer shifts.
  • Ask your friends, family, and co-workers if they know of any volunteer opportunities.

Once you have found a few volunteer opportunities that interest you, contact the organizations to learn more. Ask about the time commitment, the responsibilities involved, and the training provided.

Tips for Volunteering

Once you have found a volunteer opportunity that you are interested in, here are a few tips for making the most of your experience:

  • Be on time for your shifts.
  • Be prepared to work hard.
  • Be respectful of the people you are working with.
  • Be positive and enthusiastic.
  • Have fun!

Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community and make a difference in the lives of others. It can also help you develop important skills that will benefit you in your personal and professional life.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a way to give back to your community and make a difference in the lives of others, volunteering is a great option. You will not only help others, but you will also learn a lot about yourself in the process.

Skill How Volunteering Develops It Benefits in College and Career
Leadership By leading projects or teams of volunteers Increased confidence, improved communication skills, enhanced ability to motivate others
Teamwork By working with others to achieve a common goal Stronger relationships, better problem-solving skills, increased productivity
Communication By interacting with people from all walks of life Improved verbal and written communication skills, enhanced ability to build relationships
Problem-solving By finding creative ways to help people or overcome challenges Sharpened critical thinking skills, increased creativity, improved ability to handle stress
Critical Thinking By analyzing situations and developing solutions Enhanced problem-solving skills, stronger decision-making abilities
Trait How Volunteering Develops It Benefits in Personal Life
Empathy By putting yourself in the shoes of others Increased understanding of different perspectives, greater compassion for others
Compassion By seeing people who are struggling Increased desire to help others, stronger sense of social responsibility
Tolerance By exposing you to people from all different backgrounds Greater acceptance of differences, stronger appreciation for diversity
Responsibility By requiring you to be reliable and accountable Enhanced sense of duty, increased self-discipline
Self-confidence By helping you see that you can make a difference Increased belief in your abilities, stronger sense of self-worth
Humility By working with people who are less fortunate than you Greater appreciation for what you have, reduced sense of entitlement
Type of Volunteer Opportunity Skills Developed Example
Tutoring Patience, communication skills, problem-solving skills Helping students with their homework
Mentoring Leadership skills, communication skills, empathy Guiding and supporting a young person
Environmental conservation Teamwork, problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills Cleaning up a local park or planting trees
Social services Empathy, compassion, communication skills Volunteering at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter
Disaster relief Teamwork, problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills Helping out after a natural disaster