Category: Jobs and Employment
Hi all. I was wondering if there are any volunteer jobs that one could do with little experience, just to gain something to put on a resume to apply for a paid job later. Does anyone know of any specific examples of this?
Hi, not knowing your circumstances, this question is difficult to answer. First, what area of work are you interested in? This will depend upon what type of volunteer job you could get. In my case, I was a Sociology major in college. Long before I graduated, I worked for about 8 years as a volunteer Crisis Hotline Advocate for victims of domestic violence. I figured this would look good on a resume, and I needed the experience. Then, I did an internship that was required for college. I worked for an office that dealt with low-income parents who needed childcare. I also worked for my school's disability resource office, but this was paid.
In short, volunteering can be a great way to enhance your resume. You can put it under your Work history section, just make sure you state that it is a volunteer position. Lots of employers don't care about this, they just want you to have experience. Just be sure that the tasks you'll be acquiring can translate to other employment later on. Can you help coordinate events? take phone calls? deal with clients in difficult situations? If you might be considdering college at some point, it would be a great resume builder to gain some volunteer work. If You're an immigrant, it might be even more beneficial for you. Just make sure the skills are transferrable. It's okay to inquire after you've started volunteering if a paid position is available. But, make sure you've been volunteering awhile before you do this. Google volunteer work in your town, and see what pops up. Write me if you need any other tips. Good luck.
Well, any volunteer experience is good. If you know what your career path is, try to volunteer at a place that's related to it. I volunteer at the Memphis Center for Independent Living, and I was recently made a member of the newly-formed volunteer coordinating committee. Furthermore, if you volunteer somewhere long enough and are good at it, you may find yourself with a paid position one day. There are a couple of positions opening up here soon for which I'm seriously considering applying if they open up a reasonable amount of time before I leave Memphis.
Becky
Hi. I am also interested in volunteer work, but also had a question to throw in. I was wondering if anyone has children and volunteers somewhere? I was wondering, because maybe there are volunteering jobs that let you bring your child along? I was thinking maybe day cares or anything having to do with child care would, but was not sure if most volunteer positions require finding child care for your child/children? People always tell me that volunteering is good for gaining work experience, but I always ask how I can volunteer unless I can take my child along because child care is expensive these days, so I would have to bring her with me if I want to do volunteer work. Any thoughts?
Misty
Most jobs unless they can be done out of the home would require you to provide your own daycare. Do you have a friend or relative that would be willing to babysit your daughter? A lot of volunteer jobs are flexible, so if there's an optimum time to leave your kiddo with the sitter, maybe they might be able to work around your schedule. Maybe you could even considder asking a volunteer co-worker if they'd be willing to babysit, that is, if you'd be comfortable with that person. Perhaps, you could find a nice senior citezen who'd be willing to babysit. A church member, neighbor, you get the idea! Do you know of any sighted people who'd like to volunteer? It might be fun to tag team with them.
Thank you all for the suggestions. I am primarily interested in helping and/or working with other people, as I think it is as much emotionally rewarding as it is experience wise. I've done a few volunteer positions in the past, but I would definitely like to get my foot in the door first before I jump into applying for paid jobs. I would like to save college as a last resort, as I am a new imigrant with no income at the moment. Besides my fiance's income, I'm just using my savings, which only add up to a couple thousand dollars.
Okay, that's a good start. What kind of people? Senior citezens, children, victims of rape or sexual assualt? All these groups have their different needs. Often cities will have lists of volunteer work. You could always have a sighted person help you navigate through the process, if you know anyone who would be willing to assist you. Also, would you like to work in the office, from home, both? Would you like to provide direct service such as reading to elderly, advocating for victims of domestic violence? There are a lot of possibilities out there. I don't know how familiar you are with the vocational rehabilitation system, but maybe a counselor could give you some help with this. What are your strengths? I volunteered with a girl just out of high school while working the DV crisis line. Lots of these helping jobs can be kind of taxing at times. All the more, cause you're not earning a paycheck. But, if you find the right job, you will be very fulfilled, and the lessons you'll learn will last you a lifetime.
Honestly, I'm okay with anything right now. Everything you suggested are all things I'll try to look into.
Okay, but please don't rush into the first thing that comes along. Make sure it's something you really wanna do. Working a job you hate for a paycheck sucks, working a job without one, sucks even more. Ask lots of questions in your inquiry, and don't be shy about any technology or blind related issues that may come up. Keep us posted, and good luck!
Indeed, be sure to do plenty of research.