Volunteering During College Can Help You Build Skills
College students who volunteer have figured out how to build their resumes with actual work experience. Volunteering is actual work! Having a meaningful volunteer assignment not only helps college students build skills, but also helps them build a professional network and get exposure to career options. HBCU campuses are notorious for their advocacy work, so it is not hard to find opportunities or projects needing volunteers.
Volunteer Opportunities are Everywhere
The following institutions usually offer volunteer opportunities:
Animal shelters
Environmental organizations
Gun safety programs
Recreation facilities
Libraries eg. Free Library of Philadelphia
Ronald McDonald Houses
Special Olympics
Habitat for Humanity
State and National Parks
United Way
Red Cross
Salvation Army
Homeless Shelters
Church and ministries
Food banks
City programs
Literacy programs
Hospitals
Senior citizens centers
Resources for College Students Who Volunteer:
Before you think that you can only volunteer off campus, think again. Volunteers are often needed on campus. Find the Athletics department, Disability Services or Greek Life programs for plenty of on-campus events that may be looking for volunteers.
If you are on a HBCU campus, it is not at all difficult to find opportunities for volunteerism. Just ask!
On most college campuses students can find volunteer opportunities through student activity departments that manage community service programs.
Some colleges also host volunteer fairs on campus where students can meet organizations like these who can help connect students with opportunities:
Volunteer Match
Points of Light
Idealist
Just Serve
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