Give Back to the Community

If you can afford to work on a short-term basis without pay, volunteering is strongly suggested. Volunteering means you’ll be working for a good cause while investing time in your career goals. You can volunteer while in high school in many ways, such as coaching a sport, assisting with a club or league, or helping your favorite elementary school teacher by tutoring younger students during your intersession or summer break. Volunteer centers in your area are great places to look for a job. Once you’ve proven yourself as a volunteer, a potential employer will be more likely to hire you for a related job.

Volunteering is also a great way to gain experience and to build your resume. Through volunteer programs, you can gain experience that will make you a more attractive job applicant. You can work as a volunteer at a hospital, nursing home, youth center, playground, or in other community services. Helping other people can be personally rewarding and can give you more experience for a paid job in the future.

Volunteering is also a great opportunity to prepare you for post-secondary institutions. If you are thinking about applying to colleges and universities in the future, volunteering your time in a specified activity will help you be a more competitive applicant. The University of California and many private colleges and universities ask about your involvement in extracurricular activities during your high school years. The application will dedicate a section in which you’ll have to explain your involvement in special programs, community service, volunteer work or any other extracurricular activity. Volunteering is a great way to prepare for post-secondary institutions and gain direct working experience.

GOSERV – Volunteer Here is an excellent site to explore volunteer opportunities close to home. Enter your zip code for local listings or search “Kids Welcome” or “Teens Welcome” for opportunities.

Idealist.org is also a good option for searching for volunteer opportunities.