The benefits of volunteering for college students

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On July 11, 2024 Posted in Parents and Family

Missouri S&T students volunteer at Gonzo Gives Back, March 2024

Missouri S&T students volunteer at Gonzo Gives Back, March 2024.

When a student reflects on his or her college experience, what do they hope to remember? Lifelong friends, riveting classroom discussions, and walking across that stage to get their diplomas are all highlights of the university experience. But in today’s quickly evolving job market, there’s one thing students should be adding to their list of college memories: making a difference.

With more free time potentially at hand, summer can present an optimal time to consider volunteering. While the benefits of volunteering for college students are innumerable, engaging college volunteers presents its own challenges. College students are less likely to volunteer than their parents and high school students, and they volunteer fewer hours.

Despite lower participation rates, college students still believe it’s important to help others in need. Deciphering how to turn sentiment into action can become advantageous for college students, the universities they attend, and the communities they serve. Let’s start by understanding (and imparting) the benefits of volunteering for college students.

The benefits of volunteering

Why should college students volunteer? Volunteering has its advantages for any individual, yet there are specific benefits of community service for college students that can lead to positive outcomes for university volunteers and the communities they serve. 

Boost resume and improve job prospects

According to a study by the Corporation for National and Community Service (AmeriCorps), volunteering is associated with a 27% higher odds of employment. Employers are 82% more likely to choose a candidate with volunteering experience and 85% more likely to overlook resume flaws when the candidate’s resume includes volunteer experience. Students that enter the workforce with volunteer experience are not only boosting their resumes but are effectively standing-out among other potential (and equally qualified) candidates when it’s finally time to fill these open positions. 

Develop Skills

Volunteering can also help students grow in their learning. Through community service, students gain real-world experience and practice important habits like leadership, problem-solving, and time management. Volunteering offers students the opportunity to apply their classroom learning to practical scenarios that have real implications. In other words, service-learning opportunities can offer the same skills-boosting opportunities as student internships, but with the added benefit of improving the lives of others.

Make Connections

Nonprofits partner with other businesses, organizations, and change-makers in their communities. Working with charity organizations is a great way for students to explore career paths, and nonprofit employees (even other volunteers) are usually more than happy to put their volunteers in touch with the right people. Furthermore, nonprofit professionals can offer helpful career advice to help guide students in their studies. 

Lead More Balanced Lives

While college is an immensely rewarding (and fun) experience, it comes with its share of stress. It’s a time when young adults learn to become independent, manage their time, and find their way in the “real world.”  Extra-curricular activities like volunteering can actually help volunteers with time management and improve emotional well-being. In fact, there are many studies that cite the mental and physical health benefits of volunteering, benefits that can participate in community service encourage college students to become socially-minded individuals for life.

Source

Author of Article: Addison Waters. Article adapted from https://www.galaxydigital.com/blog/benefits-volunteering-college. Please Note: Missouri S&T does not endorse or have a relationship with SOURCE and articles are provided for information purposes only.  Missouri S&T and SOURCE do not assume responsibility for error or omission in materials.  

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Posted by

On July 11, 2024. Posted in Parents and Family