Volunteering can play a significant role in the growth of students. From taking students outside the classroom setting with textbooks and exams, students can apply their learnings in a real-life environment.
The impact volunteering can have on an individual is remarkably profound. In the following article, Daniel Swersky discusses the benefits of volunteering, and why students should participate in it.

Exploring Career Paths

Volunteering is an exceptional way for students to get exposure to a field or industry they are curious about. By being exposed to the real-life setting of a certain job or career, students can see firsthand if that career choice is right for them.

This experience is most relevant for students who are just beginning their journeys in higher education. The volunteer experience alone can help to define or deter them from a certain field of study, not only helping them save time and money but also providing them with confidence in making decisions about their career path.

Increase Awareness of Social Issues

Volunteering not only helps students gain job experience, but also increases their involvement in activism and social issues. In Amplifying Student Learning through Volunteering, researchers discovered that volunteering was an important way to increase civic responsibility in students.

In a study regarding literary inequity, volunteers participated in a community literacy festival and discovered firsthand the impact of the program in bridging literacy inequity in the community. From simply volunteering for this event, researchers discovered that volunteers had gained an increased awareness of literary inequity and developed strong potential in becoming advocates for such programs in their future careers.

Increase Mental Well-Being

Volunteering can also have a positive impact on mental health. In a study by the National Library of Medicine, researchers discovered that participation in voluntary services positively impacts mental and physical health in ways such as a higher sense of life satisfaction, self-esteem, and happiness.
In the simple act of altruism, an individual’s brain releases serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins – chemicals that are all related to happiness. This shows that by helping out others, individuals can directly feel the emotional impact in themselves.

Gaining a Head Start in the Job Market

For students nearing graduation, finding a job can be difficult without prior work experience. In addition to being a top student, employers may look for extracurricular activities to evaluate a candidate.

Through volunteering, students can make their resume stand out. By being a volunteer, individuals are exposed to real-life situations and can actively work on skills such as problem-solving, leadership, and communication.

Additionally, these students are also exposed to a greater number of professionals and may be able to leverage this connection for future opportunities, professional references, and recommendations.

In Conclusion

There’s no doubt that volunteering is a win-win relationship for organizations and individuals. With an abundance of volunteer opportunities year-round, individuals can search for social causes they would like to support and see the ways they can volunteer.

To witness the impact of such efforts, the next step is simply to volunteer.