Career Exploration. We’ve all been there. Someone asks us what we are going to do with our lives, and all they get in return is a

blank stare and some mumbled response. It is not easy to decide what we one day want to become, and even if we find things we

are interested in at school, how do we know that those careers would actually suit us? This is where volunteering can help. 

It helps to build an impressive resume for further studies, employers or professional programs, and also helps us put theory into

practice. We learn what it really means to be involved in certain careers, and best of all, we learn whether being involved in certain

careers suits us. We can take risks without risking our whole future. 

 

High Value of Community Involvement. Future employers and many professional academic programs put a strong emphasis on

community involvement.  Preference is given to those who are willing to donate their time to make their community a better place. 

Volunteering is the best way for you to get involved; there are many benefits to doing a good thing!

 

Social Fulfillment.  You’ve heard this one before. Volunteering makes you feel good about yourself. And it’s true! Helping out puts

a smile on your face and on the faces of those around you. It is an amazing feeling to be able to give freely, and ask for nothing in

return. It shows that you are proud to be a member of society- the sense of fulfillment and compassion that you get from volunteering

is priceless.

 

Improved Self Worth. This is directly linked to social fulfillment. When you apply yourself to helping others and solving community

problems, you attain a new sense of respect for yourself. To sound fully clichéd, volunteering helps you find your place in the world.

 

Social Interaction. When volunteering with something you care deeply about, you are surrounded by people that feel strongly about

the same things as you.  Volunteering provides an excellent opportunity to meet people that may not be similar in age, gender or

culture, but are similar in many other ways. Volunteering can help you branch out your social network.  The people you meet and

relationships you create will help you in many of  your future endeavors.

 

Instant Gratification. Research has suggested that people who volunteer live longer, healthier, and happier lives!  When you give yourself to others, and help out without asking for things in return, you realize that you can make a difference. It provides instant gratification. A natural high, for free!                                

 

So what are you waiting for? Join A-Link today to see how you can get involved!