Volunteering is a fulfilling experience that can not only broaden your horizons but also give you a much-needed change in perspective. From honing your communication skills to expanding your social network, volunteering can provide value to not only the organization you volunteer for but you yourself. While truly life-changing as an experience, it is difficult to align your capabilities with a cause that speaks to you on a personal level. Luckily, United Planet provides you with the opportunity to actualize your potential as a global citizen and play your part in changing the world.
Whether you are a teenager looking to find purpose in your gap year or a medical professional trying to give back to the community, here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your volunteer experience.
Set Your Goals
Setting specific goals is the first step in getting the most out of your volunteer experience. There’s no use in being involved if you don’t understand what you’re doing or why you’re doing it. Identifying your objectives will assist you in determining your areas of interest. Your aim might be anything from building job skills and a career network to promoting social change. Knowing your goals and interests will aid you in selecting a program that meets your requirements and long-term goals. It will be easy for you to become an asset and enjoy the experience once you find the right opportunity, that not only aligns with your capabilities but also helps you explore your interests.
Find a Cause That Speaks to You
The world is plagued with a myriad of issues. There’s a lot to fight for, from a global health crisis to a lack of educational facilities. It is impossible for a single person, or even a group of people, to come together and rid the world of all its evils. It is better to be realistic about those problems to avoid getting disappointed. As a volunteer, it’s more important to concentrate on growing as a person and doing the best you can, rather than hoping to see a whole new world on your next trip. After all, it’s the little things that come together to create a lasting impact.
Practice Clear Communication
From engaging communities to learning from your peers, conversing openly is a pivotal part of the learning process. Trying to communicate with a group of strangers might seem uncomfortable at first, but it is vital if you want to forge a personal bond with them. Communicating with people from different cultures will force you to go outside of your comfort zone, but it will also help you widen your horizons and see things from multiple perspectives. Making a connection with people from varied backgrounds will not only make you a better volunteer but will also make you a better individual. Moreover, polishing your interpersonal skills will give you an edge in the corporate arena, helping you land the job of your dreams while also helping you create a positive and lasting impact on the world.
Stay Open to Change
The ongoing pandemic has changed the dynamics of every industry, including the realm of volunteering. From employees shifting towards using a screen recorder to facilitate remote collaboration to students familiarizing themselves with Google Classroom, people from all walks of life have had to shift to more digital mediums for communication and participation. While these newly imposed guidelines can restrict people’s ability to volunteer freely, they can also act as a lesson in staying flexible in rapidly changing environments. To overcome the health hazards of volunteering face-to-face, United Planet launched virtual volunteering programs to ensure that their volunteering efforts continued unfettered.
Whether you want to spark change in your own community or abroad, United Planet offers an abundance of volunteering opportunities for people from all walks of life. Whether you are a seasoned volunteer looking to embark on a new journey or a corporate employee looking to inspire change, you can contact United Planet to enjoy the experience of a lifetime.
ABOUT UNITED PLANET
United Planet is a non-profit organization with a mission to create a global community, one relationship at a time. Established in 2001, United Planet offers volunteer abroad, virtual internships, internships abroad, gap year volunteering, and global virtual exchange in more than 40 countries.
