Choosing a volunteer job

Volunteer work can be both a big commitment and immensely rewarding. But finding the volunteer job that best fits you, including your skill set and your expectations is especially important to the kind of experience you have.

Here are some things to consider as you decide which volunteer opportunity is right for you.

• Do you have a passion for something?
  Think about your interests and hobbies. Do you love to be outdoors, are you interested in sports, environmental concerns, animals, teaching? Do you prefer working with adults, older adults, children or young people? Are you interested in genealogy and researching national heritage? How about healthcare or mental health issues? The list goes on and on, from simple to complex, you can be certain that you have an interest that can turn into a volunteer opportunity if you start looking.
• How much time do you have to give?
  Think about how much time you want to commit on an ongoing basis. Are you available weekdays, evenings, weekends? Can you make a one-year commitment?
• What talents and abilities do you have to offer?
  Consider what skills you bring to the table. Is your experience more administrative and managerial? Do you want to help lead an organization? Are you willing to go through a training program to acquire some new skills?
• What do you hope to gain from the experience?
  Do you want to build your skills, help people, give back, make new friends, make connections?
• How would you like it to be structured?
  Would you like to work one-on-one with someone, such as mentoring or tutoring? Or do you prefer to work in a group, as part of a team? Are you someone who is comfortable dealing with situations on the spot, or do you need to know what to expect? What kind of support would you need?

These are some of the questions for you to answer before you make your volunteer commitment. If you choose your volunteer position with some forethought and preparation, you are sure to have a positive experience.

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