ShareThisFor all levels of workers, and students, volunteering is an incredible way to develop skills, get real work experience, valuable networking contacts, and build a resume. A true story:
In eighth grade, my daughter wanted to volunteer at a local science center/I-Max theatre because it's a fun, educational place, and friends were planning to apply for summer volunteer positions. She was accepted, and began her summer with enthusiasm. She worked the regular venues and the summer day camps for children. At the end of summer, there was a party for the volunteers and then it was back to school.
This continued for the next four summers, and although she could have worked somewhere for pay, we felt that this experience was valuable, and because of her work ethic, she was always considered for additional hours or special events. She was exceeding her employer's expectations, and her work ethic paid off with college and scholarship application reference letters from the theater.
At Christmas break of her freshman year in college, she said that she wanted to apply for a paid summer position at the same science center. She was no longer a high school student, and extra cash for college was a priority. We agreed and suggested that she contact HR and network with every other staff member there that she knew -- but, do it now; don't wait 'til spring.
She did not procrastinate, and got an almost immediate response from HR -- e-mail a cover letter with current GPA and resume. Another almost immediate response came to let HR know when spring break was in order to schedule a mandatory interview.
I was going to prep her for the interview, but it came before I expected and I was almost afraid to ask how it went. "Great!" my daughter replied. "But it really wasn't an interview. The HR manager greeted me and yelled out to staff members, "Hey, look who's here -- a grown up college student who's going to work with us this summer!" Slam-dunk in March!
So, in a sticky summer when many college students are going to be stuck at home, somebody will be working where she wants to work, earning pretty good money that will come in very handy next year.
Volunteer work gives you real job experience. Do it right and it will help you build your future.
(Marvin Walberg is a job search coach. Contact him at mwalberg(at)bellsouth.net, marvinwalberg.blogspot.com, or PO Box 43056, Birmingham, AL 35243.)
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