“Find a need. Fill a need.” – How Donating Time Can Enhance your Life and Career!  

In 2013, volunteering hit its lowest rate since 2002, given that only 25.4 percent of Americans 16 and older had spent time working for an organization at least once in the prior year. In the two years after that, little changed; according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2013, the rates were 25.4 percent, and in 2014, slightly lower at 25.3 percent.

But in addition to the benefits an organization receives from a person’s time, skillset and effort, there are countless pluses for someone who spends a little time giving back – including having a positive impact on their career.

The Perks of Volunteering: Altruism Meets Career-Enhancing Skills

One article’s opening line says it all: “Find a need. Fill a need.” Those six words are incredibly powerful. As statistics continue to show the dropping rates of volunteering, it’s important to remember four things:

1. One person can make a difference.
2. By volunteering, you’re making your community better.
3. Volunteering can build a resumé.
4. Volunteering = networking.

A Deep Dive on these factors:

1. One person can make a difference. It seems as if this statement falls on deaf ears a lot of times, but the gist of it couldn’t be more true: whether planting marsh grass to help aid coastal restoration, spending time teaching underprivileged students study skills, or cleaning cages at an animal shelter, positive changes happen because individuals join together to make a difference.

2. By volunteering, you’re making your community better. Besides the obvious impact of volunteering, keep in mind that action is contagious. If one of your co-workers or friends posts a picture on social media of his or her time handing out water at a race or cleaning up a park, chances are, someone who sees it will join them next time. In the current culture of social media, it’s very easy to complain about a park having too much trash scattered about, or just report on how poor kids in under-served areas are doing on testing compared to other markets around the country, but instead of complaining – take action and do something!

3. Volunteering can build a resumé. In addition to all of the benefits for others in volunteering, professionals can enhance and improve their resumés by building upon – or acquiring — new skills learned in a different environment.

Here’s an example: for young public relations professionals, volunteering to create and execute an external and internal media and social media strategy is invaluable to a nonprofit. Most charitable organizations, especially if they’re small, don’t have the funding to staff a social media or public relations person. And when just starting out in entry-level positions, most professionals are in “execution mode” and don’t have the opportunity to instead plan and strategize – so here’s the perfect chance! It’s a natural fit to helping stimulate growth professionally, while bolstering the portfolio you take to your next interview.

For other skillsets — such as those that personnel in human resources or sales have — offering expertise in regard to screening volunteers, helping to sell advertising space in an event program, or soliciting sponsors is the perfect avenue to gain/add experience.

So be creative. Find a non-profit that aligns with your interests and your career path, set up a meeting, and see what happens. Once the experience is under your belt, add it to your C.V. — LinkedIn did a great article about highlighting volunteering on your resumé.

4. Volunteering = networking. One of the ways to fast-track the networking opportunities of volunteering is by joining a committee for a big charity event in town. Easiest way to find them: check the social section or webpage of the local newspaper, or pick up a copy of your city’s social publications. The most influential businessmen and women in town will have a presence at one or more of these events. Then, contact the nonprofit, see if there is room on the committee, and join.  If they aren’t accepting new committee members, volunteer at the event and build a relationship with the planning committee. From there, it’ll be more natural to continue a relationship with the non-profit. Just remember – keep it genuine. It’ll be very obvious if you’re only there to ladder-climb and aren’t passionate about the cause.

Finding the Opportunity that Makes Your Heart Glad – and Your C.V. Well-Rounded

As far as seeking volunteer opportunities, there are countless resources: Idealist.org, Volunteer March, LinkedIn for Volunteers, Moving Worlds and Catchafire all have different search options, some geared towards professionals, even. Each time you search, the opportunities have detailed descriptions, which will be of great help if you’re unsure of where your interests lie.

In addition to online resources, ask around the office and do some Google-searching. There are a TON of non-profit organizations out there that will match your passions.

As you search, just remember: “Find a need. Fill a need.”