Volunteering

How can volunteering help my career?

Paid work is not the only way to gain valuable work experience and skills for your CV. Volunteering allows you to help a cause you care about and simultaneously gain experience in your desired sector. From charities to culture and heritage, many organisations within the public and private  sectors look for volunteers both on a long  and short term basis. The nature of volunteering also means you can make it work for you - you can decide how many hours you can dedicate to fit it around your studies.  

Due to this flexibility, volunteering can help you make career choices if you're unsure of what you want to do after university. You can move around in different areas and roles and try different things  to help you narrow down your options. Many organisations that use volunteers need support in several different areas, making it easy for you to gain a variety of skills and experience. 

For many competitive roles and sectors, volunteering is often an easier route to gain insight and contacts. It can often be a valuable first foot in the door  – you can meet lots of people, and ask lots of questions  

Do employers count volunteering as work experience and can I put it on my CV?

You can put your volunteering experience on your CV and talk about it in job applications and interviews, but it is important to be explicit about the skills and experience you gained. Speak about your experience like any other work experience, by picking out the skills you used in the role  – and make sure you tailor it to the job you're applying to. 

What else do I need to know?

• Many sectors have jobs boards with a volunteering filter option to find a role that fits you. 
• There are volunteering positions in industries and companies you may not think of – it is not only local community groups. If a volunteering opportunity isn't explicitly listed, try reaching out yourself to see where your talents could be useful. Lean into the skills and talents you possess. 
• Although you do not get paid for volunteering, many organisations will reimburse you for travel costs.