Celebrate National Volunteer Week, April 16-22, and Build a Better Tomorrow

For many, volunteering is a way of giving back to their community. While volunteering can be a positive experience that allows us to help others, it is also a valuable tool in developing a career. According to World Vision Canada, volunteering helps develop communication and active listening skills. It also helps to establish professional relationships and, in some instances, can lead to a new job.

Meet Christian. His volunteer work led him to a new career opportunity. A few years ago, he was unexpectedly laid off. After weeks of job hunting and eager to get out of the house, he offered his time to the local city councillor’s office.

Given his interest in issues impacting older residents, Christian went door-to-door with the councillor to speak with them and document their concerns. “Talking to them was incredible. Whether it was rental issues or public transit, they felt like someone was listening to them. As corny as it sounds, I felt I was making a difference.”

Those interactions led the councillor’s office to develop new public meetings for older residents. For his efforts, Christian was offered a job in the office and was the first point of contact for those residents. He never thought volunteering would lead to a job, but admits it allowed him to prove he was capable. “I didn’t realize it at the time, but every interaction I had, every idea I put forward, was all part of an informal interview.”

Christian still volunteers and believes it has changed his life for the better. “I’ve met so many interesting people and had lots of fun. Regardless of how you do it, I tell everyone I know to volunteer, they won’t regret it.”