It’s important to understand what is expected of you in a workplace environment. This is why many students are keen to develop their skills and gain a stronger understanding of the world of work, through volunteering. Volunteering gives students the opportunity to make their CV stand out, right from the comfort of their own home!
Volunteering can be flexible and work well around your studies. You do not need to worry about having specific or direct work experience, as most voluntary opportunities require soft or transferable skills such as organisation, communication, and team working in order to apply.
Here are our top 5 remote volunteering suggestions to get you started:
No matter your industry/academic background, there are many virtual volunteering opportunities and projects to get involved with. You could play a key role ranging from HR to Coaching – just visit Catchafire to get more details. You can support cutting edge research at Zooniverse or share your IT tips at TechSoup. You could even support budding entrepreneurs to build their business skills at GrowMovement.org.
Organisations like UN Volunteers and Translators without borders are looking for talented individuals who are able to speak, translate and write in languages other than English. This is a great opportunity for students to develop both speaking and listening skills, and shows great versatility in your CV. Just be mindful, roles in organisations like this tend to look for committed individuals who can offer a significant amount of time, so please ensure you have the time before signing up.
Did you know that you can offer your sight to others? You can help them to get through everyday tasks that may be somewhat difficult otherwise. Be my eyes is seeking volunteers to support people carry out daily activities such as reading instructions and navigating surroundings. This is a great opportunity to build on your communication skills and requires a strong attention to detail.
You can develop your reading, communication, and language skills by volunteering for The Bookmark Reading Charity. During a 6-week flexible program, you can support 5-8 year-olds to learn how to read. This gives you the opportunity to contribute to young children’s education and show future employers your community spirit.
There are a variety of different hotline services that you can volunteer for, from Age UK to The Silver Line Befriending Service. Many members of the community rely on trusted advisors to listen to and support them. This is a great way to get involved with a wider set of services, from healthcare to mental wellbeing. It also offers students the chance to develop strong communication and listening skills.
With the 20th Student Volunteer Week taking place between the 8th and 14th February, we encourage you to explore and sign up to volunteer. The Student Volunteering Network website offers guidance on how you can get involved during this week. It’s worth remembering that you can volunteer all year round so you can check out Do-It.org at any time.
If you fancy discussing any voluntary opportunities, get in touch with us by emailing YourCareers@qa.com.
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