Everyone says volunteering helps you, but you know it’s not for you when:
- Don’t want to get involved in projects relevant to your community
As a volunteer, you have the chance to work with your community on projects that support its development and help you to grow, learn and develop.
The activities you get involved in can address real problems, such as poverty, lack of education or environmental problems, which can be improved through sustained efforts by various NGOs, together with local institutions.
- Don’t want to step out of your comfort zone
By getting involved in various projects, such as organizing local events (Heading for the Future, a series of workshops that help young people acquire skills relevant to their desired career), or organizing projects involving young people from all over the world volunteering in Romania, you have the chance to discover yourself and try new activities. You learn to speak in public, deal with crisis situations and make friends with people who are different from you. Unpredictable situations help you discover new perspectives and develop your adaptability.
- You don’t want to develop your soft skills and hard skills
Depending on the activities you choose to get involved in, you can develop skills such as sales, graphic design or public speaking. What’s more, as part of a team, you learn to collaborate, give and receive feedback, communicate effectively, adapt to new situations. NGOs like AIESEC offer many resources that create the perfect context for non-formal learning.
These skills are highly relevant in the job market and can often give you an advantage in the employment process.
- You don’t want to develop friendships with people all over the world
When there’s a common purpose in the activities you do with colleagues and you share common values, it’s much easier to develop strong friendships. Working with people who have similar desires helps you to fulfil them.
- You have clear career plans
As a volunteer, you have the chance to try out different areas by getting involved in different projects. You can see how recruitment works, how promotion is done or what sales is all about. You can apply what you learn at university, but you can also discover new areas, preparing for a successful career. At the same time, you are constantly learning in a friendly and open environment that encourages you to experiment.
If these ideas have convinced you that volunteering is what you want to do, we are waiting for you in AIESEC: aiesec.org.ro/membru-aiesec
You decided to volunteer.
Congratulations!
Now you can invest your time in a cause!
Article by Diana Câmpan
