Students in Winnipeg and across Canada can choose from various activities to enrich their educational and social experiences while in school. One activity that offers unique benefits is volunteering. Some learning institutions require students to complete a specific number of service-learning hours to graduate.
However, you should welcome any opportunity to volunteer, even when it’s not required by your school. Think of volunteering as a two-way street – both you (student) and the organization you’ll be working for will benefit.
As a student, consider what you could learn or explore during your volunteering period. Remember, you can still volunteer while in your student residence in Winnipeg. Here’s how students can benefit from volunteering.
Your college or university program may teach what you need to know in your preferred field. Yet, learning does not stop during school breaks. During your time in university or college, you should continually seek out opportunities to enrich your knowledge and develop skills.
Most experts agree that volunteers gain professional experience in community service and other fields. So choose an after-school program or local non-profit agencies that you can work with while staying in the Arc & Align in Winnipeg.
During volunteer work, students have a better chance of building relationships that can be helpful later, especially when applying for jobs. Volunteering is a good opportunity for you to meet people in the workplace, including employees, other volunteers, managers, and more. These professionals may be a strong reference when applying for a job.
Indeed, volunteers gain knowledge and get the chance to connect with real professionals. You never know; these meaningful connections could lead you to a job or opportunity you never thought possible.
For many students who are still undecided about their college major or career prospect, volunteering can help them narrow down their options and identify their special skills. For instance, volunteering strengthens teamwork to work toward a common goal, building camaraderie. It also helps foster empathy and communication skills and promotes personal growth.
Most career experts agree that lack of exposure is a significant barrier to career success. That’s why volunteering is one of the effective ways to get the exposure you need to make career decisions. During the volunteer program, volunteers discover hidden talents and build skills that could change how they perceive themselves.
Volunteer community service is the lifeblood of any society, and the physical and mental rewards of such service can be immeasurable. For instance, volunteering gives you a chance to provide valuable community services to those who need it most.
Such service is associated with physical and mental rewards such as improved mental health for students and members of the communities they serve. Through your volunteer efforts, you could support families and members of the community.
Volunteering creates an opportunity for service learning that involves understanding community needs and its assets. Whether you’re volunteering with an after-school program or local non-profit agencies, you can support families, help achieve local improvements, and support youth.
Therefore, volunteering encourages civic responsibility among students as it involves giving labour or time without the expectation of monetary compensation. Whether you’re helping with beach and park cleanups or engaged in programs that research and solve community problems, your volunteer time will benefit people.
Another way you can benefit from volunteering is that it supports personal growth and fosters high self-esteem. If you contribute to other people’s well-being through valuable community service, like health care, you’ll feel good about yourself for giving back to your community and putting yourself out there to learn.
In addition to the people you meet at your student residence, you can meet other experts during your volunteer time. You can build camaraderie with other students volunteering and the organization’s employees.
Also, you may meet new professionals outside the organization you’re volunteering with. These are unique opportunities to make more friends.
College and university students living in student residences and other places away from home may find it challenging to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They’re also likely to suffer social isolation, homesickness, and anxiety as they adapt to their new life.
One way students can benefit from volunteering is an improvement in their physical and mental health. In one study by NCVO, 77% of volunteers said they had better mental health or overall physical health.
It makes sense as many volunteer roles involve physical activities such as playing with children at camps, walking, and more. Such physical activities can also improve your immunity.
There’s no denying it – college or university can be a stressful period. The pressure to excel in academics can overwhelm many students, while others find it difficult to choose the right career path. While spending some time with your friends or hobbies like playing sports can reduce stress, volunteering can help, too.
Volunteering offers you some time away from your studies while engaging in meaningful activities. Ensure that these activities don’t hinder your academic performance.
Volunteering is fun. It’s an opportunity to get away from the day-to-day grind of studying, go to new places, meet new people, make new friends, and gain a sense of accomplishment. Furthermore, there are many ways you can benefit from volunteering.
Do international students benefit from volunteering?
Yes. Volunteers gain knowledge and experience that will make their resumes better. In addition, volunteers discover hidden talents and skills that may help shape their future career paths and professional lives.
What skills can you get from being a volunteer?
Volunteering offers you the chance to experience a real workplace and work as part of a team. This means you can learn soft skills such as leadership, teamwork, relationship building, time management, and more.
Is it worth it to volunteer?
Volunteering offers essential community services so more money can be directed to other community needs. The estimated value of volunteering is significant, and you may want to be part of such positive change in a community.
Does volunteering benefit communities?
Sure, volunteers gain professional experience during their volunteer community service. Just the same, their efforts also save and support community resources (local resources). This could save a lot of money for the local community. Beyond supporting community resources, volunteering brings people from diverse backgrounds together, building camaraderie.
Arc & Align Winnipeg offers a unique opportunity for students to create meaningful connections with like-minded community. Located near University of Manitoba, Arc & Align provides student-focused amenities. Contact us today to learn more.
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