3 Reasons to Volunteer While Unemployed
Let me be clear—I know that a sudden need to volunteer isn’t the first reaction most of us have to losing a job. The most typical first reaction is,
“I CAN’T BELIEVE I JUST LOST MY JOB!”
Then comes the subsequent panic of,
“What exactly do I do now?”
So now maybe you’re wondering what makes me such an authority; the fact is, it hasn’t been that long since I experienced losing a job firsthand, and I’m here to report that there usually isn’t anything inspiring or uplifting involved. Mostly, if I’m any kind of example, losing a job leads to full-on panic (i.e., How am I going to pay the mortgage?) and levels of self-doubt I hadn’t experienced since I had braces.
How will becoming a volunteer help with any of this? Consider that volunteering can help you…
1. Reclaim your sense of purpose.
Sleeping in and spending the day in your pajamas can be a welcome benefit at first, but soon, one day of scanning job listings online and eating cereal for every meal can begin to run into the next. Finding a consistent, satisfying volunteer opportunity can help you, at minimum, build structure and meaning back into your days. Being unemployed can be isolating, and volunteering can keep you connected to the world outside your computer screen, making it much easier to have a positive outlook on your future.
2. Make (and renew) connections.
It goes without saying that when you’re looking for a job, going to your network of connections is the first and best way to uncover the next opportunity. But sometimes those networks can be limited; volunteering is one of the best ways to expand your network of connections. So seek out volunteer opportunities that apply to your interests and goals, work hard, and it’s very likely that you’ll build ties that can help you move forward in your career, all while making a positive contribution to an organization or cause you care about.
3. Build your job experience.
Just because you lost your job doesn’t mean that you can’t put your hard-earned skills to work. Almost all non-profit organizations need volunteers because they have to make the most out of every penny. Chances are that your skills will be incredibly valuable to a non-profit and the opportunity to keep those skills sharp is just as valuable to you. Seek out opportunities to use, or to even improve your abilities, and you’ve created a winning situation for everyone involved.
Ready to jump in and volunteer? Metro United Way is the place to get started. Just visit our website and explore our volunteer opportunities. You can also call 2-1-1 for more information.
