During the months between graduating high school and beginning college or between getting a university degree and entering the workforce, graduates may want to explore the personal growth that comes from volunteerism. Volunteerism can fill gap years or add to resumes for recent graduates.
Volunteering provides various benefits. Some of these rewards include networking with an entirely different group of people. Volunteering also can help a person realize greater happiness by doing selfless acts for others, while they also can help one to realize a new passion. Volunteering with an organization also may help with a student's job search.
There are many arenas where young people can focus their volunteer efforts. Some ideas for volunteer opportunities include animal shelters, public service sectors, English as a second language tutors, community government, religious groups, conservation groups, and tutoring in local classrooms.
Animal shelters rely on volunteers to help with their operations. They can be a good fit for anyone with a passion for animals.
Public service sectors such as AmeriCorps and Peace Corps have scores of opportunities for volunteers. AmeriCorps focuses on domestic issues, while the Peace Corps is a branch of the U.S. government that engages volunteers in international service work. Community involvement, health care, agriculture, homelessness, and combatting hunger are top priorities for these organizations.
Volunteers can spend time abroad teaching English as a second language to students. Others may want to volunteer domestically by helping non-English-speaking individuals improve their language skills.
Community government offers many options. A person may choose to sit on the board of a school or a neighborhood housing association or even explore volunteerism with a township municipal office. This will provide valuable hands-on experience and may help one lend a voice to issues that affect his or her living situation.
Religious groups may have volunteer opportunities focused on community outreach or programs affiliated with local nonprofits.
Conservation groups offer volunteers opportunities to work on conservation projects across the country. From wildlife management to trail restoration to invasive species eradication, there are a wide variety of conservation-based volunteering opportunities.
Graduates can volunteer to tutor students in local schools or overseas. Opportunities to tutor may be available in a variety of topics.
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