Five great benefits to volunteering
Volunteers in a warehouse working for the Exeter charity Book-Cycle (image courtesy Clive Chilvers, Dreamstime)
Uniquely, the social sector relies heavily on pro bono work, which presents you with an opportunity. So, how can volunteering help you build your portfolio career?
You’ll learn more about yourself, what motivates you, the type of work and environment you need to thrive
You’ll learn about the organisation you are volunteering with - if they truly live their values in how they treat their volunteers and employees, as well as their beneficiaries and people who use their services
You’ll gain great experience, strengthen your CV and demonstrate your commitment to the sector
You’ll grow your networks, meeting new people who you can learn from, and will be able to ask for advice and help as you progress with your career change. In turn, you will be able to help and support others, which is rewarding in itself
And last but not least, your life will be more fulfilling as you will know that you are making a difference.
Because volunteering is such an important investment you can make in opening up a portfolio career in the social sector we have a dedicated page where we profile what we call ‘intelligent volunteering’.