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Volunteer your Way to a Paying Gig
Your next volunteer opportunity could begin your future career.
By Lauren Bayne Anderson
When the economy suffers, so do organizations that rely on volunteers — at least traditionally.
But according to one source, not only can volunteering remain strong in times of economic concern, it can also help the volunteer gain necessary job skills to re-enter the job market.
The most recent Giving in Tough Times study, produced during the last economic downturn in 2003, showed that when Americans aren’t concerned about money, they tend to volunteer more—53 percent volunteer when they have no money concerns compared with 40 percent in a tough economy.
And the less a volunteer makes, the more likely they are to cut the extra curricular activities out of their calendar.
The study shows that volunteer rates for those making from $50,000 to $75,000 fall by 10 percent when money issues arise. And only 27 percent of volunteers earning between $25,000 and $50,000 volunteer when concerned about finances—down from 36 percent in a solid economy.
But according to Robert Rosenthal, a spokesman for VolunteerMatch, this time around it may be different.
Volunteering tends to be countercyclical, Rosenthal said. And having more spare time and being more concerned about social and environmental problems can actually generate more involvement, despite an economic downturn.
And with the increased use of the Internet to find volunteer opportunities, data from previous recessions may not reflect today’s volunteer market.
“There’s an increasing prevalence of a certain kind of volunteering that makes far more sense — volunteering that develops professional skills,” Rosenthal said. “More volunteers have been doing skill based work in the past couple years.”
Rosenthal says volunteers can find skill based work in many professional sectors. Pro-bono legal services, graphic art design, grant writing, accounting, copywriting and HTML and database programming are at the top of his list.
So in addition to doing the right thing, volunteering can actually help you develop the skill set that will put you right where you want to be— back in a position to getting a paying gig.
FateniaO
about 20 hours ago
I think that volunteering is a great way to find a job. I found a job that I held down for twelve years, eight months volunteering in my then 3-year old daughter's classroom when she was in Head Start and we lived in Chicago at that time. I need a job now and if the only way to get it is to volunteer, I will do so.
vicpo
13 days ago
Thanks, that article literally advocates the importance of volunteering (like myself) and truely hope people get the news. The world needs help, one less hand will result in a more disaster.
mrobeng
3 months ago
Work Online and Make money You can always start your own work online. If you don't know how, visit this blog and read all about making money online.
ZulfiqarA10
3 months ago
oh this is my heartley wish . i do work as voleenter. in the world. im v human being person. i cant see any 1 if he needs help. plzzzzz im here for u all . once call me ok
WilsonO17
4 months ago
resonaly a chances just come when a desire look for it volunteering can actually being a chances to grow in career when wallets run dries,It is realy desireable and good when one grows in the skill and talented preffer but due to wallets it sents many to the field of i wish i knew(to work out of talents).Am in Dubai (from kenya)working as storekeeper after handling the first diploma in flight operation and dispatch.it is diffucult but due to ecnomy it will need one to sent something on the top of the table and thanks God(to have a daily bread)i love my job as it scrol the wheel of life .
CatherineM409
4 months ago
So in addition to doing the right thing, volunteering can actually help you develop the skill set that will put you right where you want to be— back in a position to getting a paying gig. I am an outreach worker in San Diego. I do street outreach which is not a very desirable job but I love it. I get to talk to people and give them things. Makes me feel good I also give referals to drug treatment and healthcare. I just wish I ad a car because I am so broke all the time just keeping food on the table is hard. But we get by.
Christopher_Heard
5 months ago
this is a great way to earn money and something good to put on a college application