8 career paths that can be kick-started by volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to build employment skills and explore potential career paths with minimal risk.

We’ve said it once here before, and we’ll say it again.

But don’t just take our word for it. 

Three-quarters of employers surveyed believe that volunteering can have a positive effect on an individual’s career progression.

But where do you start?

Well, let’s try and join some dots by talking through 8 career-types and considering how volunteering paves the way to them…

Campaigning and Fundraising

Raising vital funds and campaigning for change and awareness are at the heart of most charities’ work. There are plenty of ways to contribute, from street fundraising, to assisting at major events or promoting a charity’s cause at some of the biggest UK festivals.

PR and Marketing

A lot of organisations are on the look-out for an extra pairs of hands to assist with promotion and Communications. Whether it’s helping with design and distribution of promo materials, getting local press coverage, or acting as a social media champion, there are loads of ways to get hands-on experience.

Digital and IT

Bit of a tech whizz? Digital and IT-related careers are literally, the future, with plenty of organisations in need of young people willing to offer their know-how to set up websites or develop fun and innovative apps. Why not use volunteering to get ahead of the game?

Working with children and young people

Aiding young people’s development is a truly worthwhile career choice. There are so many great volunteering opportunities, such as peer mentoring and assisting in classrooms, which can be the perfect lead-in to careers such as teaching, counselling, social care or wider specialist areas of youth work.

Arts and performance

There loads of opportunities out there for fledgling artists, writers, musicians, performers and film-makers to build their experience, confidence and audience to help set them up for a career in the creative arts. What are you waiting for, follow your dream!

Business and administration

With job opportunities at a premium volunteering can, if nothing else, be a solid foundation on which to build core business and administration skills. Offering general office support may just pay-off when as a result, your newly strengthened, more versatile CV gets you a foot in the door with a desirable organisation.

Event organising

Fancy putting your project management and organisation skills to the test? Plenty of organisations, especially during the summer, recruit volunteers to assist with the planning and co-ordination of events. If you’re a real people person who enjoys seeing a project through from start to finish, opportunities like these could really enhance your prospects.

Sports and leisure

If sport is your thing (or Olympic fever has taken hold), there are so many different ways you can channel your passion to build up valuable skills and help others at the same time. From giving your time as a local community coach, to teaching sports overseas, to assisting at sports events, there are loads of opportunities to get involved and get sporty.

Well, there you have it. Hopefully these have provided you with a bit of food for thought when you’re next browsing our volunteering opportunities.

Which career skills have you developed through volunteering? Do drop us a line in the comments section below.

Has volunteering helped you to find a career? Do you have a success story of your own to share? Write a guest post on this blog.

By the way, did you know that vInspired now offers qualifications and courses from a range of providers to assist with young people’s career development?