6 Reasons You Should Volunteer

While you’re in college, you might feel like you have more responsibility than ever. You’ve got papers to write and important exams to study for. You might even have other responsibilities, like soccer practice or a part-time paralegal job to worry about. So why should you spend your valuable free time helping others? Well, there are many reasons, but the most compelling are probably the ones that explain how volunteering helps you. So, here they are:

1. You get to go home feeling good about yourself because you know that somehow you made a small (or large) difference in someone else’s life. You contributed to society. Congratulations.

2. Volunteering experience will look great on your resume. It doesn’t matter what field you decide to go into after college, potential employers will be impressed that you were mature enough to spend your time helping others in need. Volunteering not only shows compassion, but it also shows initiative, commitment and responsibility. So, even if you don’t care for the great feeling you get at the end of the day, you can bask in the glory of the great new job you’ll land upon graduating. And let’s face it, in this economic environment, students can use all the advantage they can get.

3. Some volunteering opportunities are also great for networking. Sure, you can meet some cool new friends, but you might also meet someone who can help you get ahead in your career. Heck, you might even find a mentor. Many successful people volunteer their time at local charities. Why don’t you visit one and check it out for yourself.

4. Volunteering is a great way to meet members of your community, which is great, if you’re new in town. You can get to know your environment much better and show your new neighbors that you’re willing to invest time in making their (and your) community a better place to live.

5. As a volunteer, you may learn new skills that can be used later in life. For example, if you volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, you can learn carpentry and construction skills that may be valuable when you someday own a home of your own. Otherwise, you’ll always have to hire someone to do the handy work.

6. Volunteering gives you something to do with your free time, so you can be sure that you’ll stay out of trouble. Your friends may be hanging out at the bar on a Sunday afternoon while you’re hard at work bettering your life and the lives of others around you.