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Often times, when we think about developing our career, we tend to focus solely on gaining more professional experience or improving our technical skills. However, there is a powerful and often underestimated tool that can significantly contribute to this professional advancement, in addition to making a difference in the community: volunteer work.

In this article, we’ll explore how volunteering can help advance your career, the benefits it offers, and how you can find opportunities that align with your interests and career goals.

What is volunteer work?

Before we dive into the career benefits of volunteering, it’s important to understand what it means to avoid confusion with charitable acts.

Volunteering involves giving your time and energy to help others or contribute to a cause without financial compensation in return. It can be done in a variety of settings, from nonprofit organizations to community events and corporate volunteer programs.

Benefits of volunteering for the community

Volunteer work brings several benefits to the community, such as:

• Improving people's quality of life: Volunteering can help solve social problems such as poverty, hunger, lack of education and social exclusion.
• Strengthening social organizations: Volunteer work helps NGOs and institutions offer their services and programs to the community.
• Promoting citizenship and social participation: Volunteer work encourages people to get involved with the community and be protagonists in building a better world.

Benefits of volunteering for your career

Skills development

One of the most obvious benefits of volunteering is the opportunity to develop and hone a wide range of skills. By volunteering, you can gain experience in leadership, teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and more. These skills are highly valued by employers and can increase your employability in a variety of career fields.

Networking

Volunteering also provides a great opportunity to expand your network. By interacting with fellow volunteers, community members, and nonprofit leaders, you can make valuable connections that could lead to future job opportunities or professional collaborations.

Practical experience

In addition to developing transferable skills, volunteering also provides hands-on experience in a real-world setting. In this sense, it can be especially useful for students or young professionals looking to break into a particular field, as it offers a way to gain relevant experience even without having a paid job.

Sense of personal achievement

Last but not least, volunteering can bring a deep sense of personal fulfillment in knowing that you are making a positive difference in people’s lives and in your community. In other words, this sense of purpose can increase your job satisfaction and motivation to continue advancing in your career.

How to Find Volunteer Opportunities

Online research

One convenient way to find volunteer opportunities is to search online. There are several platforms and websites dedicated to connecting volunteers with organizations that need help. This way, you can filter the options based on your preferences and availability, making it easier to find an opportunity that fits your schedule and interests.

Some volunteer work platforms:

• Tied: https://atados.com.br/
• Irapa: https://irapa.org.br/doar-voluntariado/
• Home Institute: https://www.institutolar.org.br/seja-voluntario/
• Refazer Institute: https://www.refazer.org.br/
• Phomenta: https://www.phomenta.com.br/

Local organizations

In addition to searching online, you can also contact local organizations directly. Churches, schools, hospitals, and other institutions often have volunteer programs in place and are always looking for people willing to contribute. You can find a list of NGOs and institutions on the ABONG website: https://www.abong.org.br/.

Charities

Charities are another valuable source of volunteer opportunities. From animal shelters to food banks to health care organizations, there are a variety of causes you can support through volunteering. Research charities in your area and reach out to them to find out how you can help.

Tips for getting the most out of volunteering

Define your interests and goals

The first step to finding volunteer opportunities is to define your interests and goals. What do you enjoy doing? What causes are your favorite? What skills do you want to develop or improve?

It’s important to have a clear understanding of your goals and what you hope to achieve from the experience. This will help you choose the opportunities that best align with your interests and career aspirations.

So, once you’ve defined your interests and goals, you can start looking for volunteer opportunities that align with them.

Choose the right organization

First and foremost, when looking for volunteer opportunities, consider the organization’s mission and values. Make sure you choose a cause that you truly care about and believe in, as this will make your volunteer experience more meaningful and rewarding.

Commitment and consistency

To reap the maximum benefits of volunteering, it is essential to maintain a regular and consistent commitment to your responsibilities. This will demonstrate your dedication and reliability to team members and increase your credibility as a volunteer.

Be proactive

Don’t wait for leadership or learning opportunities to come to you – be proactive and actively seek out ways to get more deeply involved in volunteer work. So volunteer to lead projects, take on additional responsibilities, and learn new skills whenever possible.

Learn from experience

Finally, be open to learning and growing from your volunteer experience. Reflect on what you learned, the skills you developed, and how you can apply them to your professional career. After all, every volunteer experience is an opportunity for personal and professional growth.

In short…

In short, volunteering can be a powerful tool for advancing your career. In addition to providing the opportunity to develop valuable skills, expand your network, and gain hands-on experience, volunteering also provides a deep sense of personal fulfillment.

Therefore, by engaging in volunteer activities that align with your interests and professional goals, you can not only contribute positively to your community, but also advance your own professional journey in meaningful ways. So why not start exploring volunteer opportunities today and give your career a boost?

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