Your parents put the holiday tree into your neighbourhood’s recycling bin and you opened all your Christmas presents. Now it’s the New Year, and it’s all about leaving the past behind and looking forward to the future. Now is a great time to start considering paying it forward through volunteer work.

With your schedule almost full to the brim with academic-related activities, as well as extra-curricular ones, it may be daunting to think about setting aside time to lend a hand to those in need. However, helping out less fortunate individuals offers rewards that no high grades and soccer match trophy can equal. Let us take a look at the benefits you can reap through volunteer work.

It helps you take up a cause.

You’re probably thinking you’re too young to worry about the serious stuff, but with so much happening in the world these days, that is enough to give you all the more reason for kids to get involved and help out in the best way you can. Do a self-examination and ask yourself, which aspect in today’s current events would you most like to see change or improve? Most likely, there are certain issues or subjects that you feel strongly about like the environment, homelessness, literacy, arts, sports, and others. Getting involved in volunteering activities for organizations that support these causes will put you on the right track.

It helps you bring insight to society.

These days when “fake news” can easily spread from one social networking site to another, it’s easy for others to fall prey to false information to certain causes like climate change being a hoax and others. Volunteering with organizations helps you become an instrument to spread the true word so other people are well-informed, not misinformed. It is a big responsibility indeed, but at the same time, you’ll feel fulfilled knowing that you are bringing awareness and therefore contributing insight to society.

It helps you become sociable.

If you’re the introverted type and get extremely shy and timid around people, volunteering can help you come out of your shell. You get to meet new people and socialize with them during volunteering activities. Even something as simple as putting up posters for your organization’s fundraising activity with your peers can turn you into a chatterbox. Because you know that you’re helping out for a cause that you’re passionate about, you become less conscious of yourself and focus more on raising awareness for your organization’s cause, therefore taking away the shyness. Once you set your mind more and more on the cause you’re supporting, your social anxiety will decrease less and less.

It helps you connect with like-minded people.

OK so maybe you’re the extrovert type and there’s never a party that you’re not invited to. However, let’s face it. While you may get along fine with your friends and classmates and you’re most likely to be Mr. or Ms. Popular on your school yearbook, you’ve got to admit that you’re finding yourself in the rut hanging out with the same people over and over again and talking about the same topics over and over again. You love “Riverdale,” but there’s got to be more in life than Netflix series, right? Joining a volunteer group can once again bring excitement to you since you get to meet people of all ages and spend a worthwhile time discussing about worthy causes.

It helps you prepare for your future career.

Of course, you still have years and years to get ready before you can join the workforce, but it’s never too early to have a good start. When you get involved in volunteering, you get a chance to develop skills that will help you become an efficient employee or an effective leader, such as collaboration and leadership. This way, when it’s time for you to start your career, you’re already well-prepared for it. In addition, having a volunteer experience in your resume can score you big points with the employers.

So now that you’ve gone through the pros of volunteer work, are you now more excited to explore volunteer opportunities within your community? Good luck!

SOURCES:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/palomacanterogomez/2018/12/06/proyecthiopia-4-best-tips-to-volunteer-for-change-and-not-for-the-picture/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/the-third-age/201403/5-reasons-why-you-should-volunteer

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-6480987/Find-20-000-joined-Helpforce-NHS-volunteer-campaign.html

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/volunteering-and-its-surprising-benefits.htm

http://www.volunteerairdrie.ca/volunteering_benefits.htm