Voluntips to Create New Opportunities

Jennifer MK  //  January 17, 2012

The nice flipflop tan you get on your feet, the comfy over-sized t-shirts, and the simple satisfaction you get for helping out are just a few examples of the benefits you receive from volunteering. Like many public relations students, I’ve had my fair share of volunteer work, so I understand how stressful it may be to find a fitting volunteer opportunity. Sometimes it can be tough to find ways to gain beneficial skills that will land you an exciting co-op position. What’s gotten me through all the stressful hustle and bustle? I follow three tips, and now you can too, if you so choose.

When looking for a volunteer placement, look for one in an area that piques your interest:

Nowadays, people like you and I are volunteering just to add it to their resume. Of course, there is nothing wrong with this, but since you’re not getting paid for it you may as well do something you enjoy. I volunteer at an event website called Halifax Hype. What initially drew me to volunteering with Halifax Hype was that it deals with the downtown social scene. They know everything from the city’s best restaurant deals to its exclusive events. Knowing what’s going on in my city is very important to me, so it made total sense that I join the Halifax Hype crew! Not only do I enjoy what I do, but I can stay on top of what’s going on in Halifax.

You’re finally volunteering! Now, start befriending the other volunteers and even your superiors:

Volunteering is a great way to create lasting friendships. You are not academically competing with them like you do with your school friends and you already have something in common with one another because you are volunteering at a place that interests both of you! Most of the people I’ve met while volunteering with Halifax Hype happen to be the in the public relations program at the Mount, so I did some know of them. But through the magic of volunteering, I became closer to my ‘classmates’, and now I can genuinely call them my friends.

It’s also important to get to know your superiors. Halifax Hype’s general manager, Ryan Meaney, turned out to be the most hardworking and approachable person I have ever met. Graduating Dalhousie with a bachelor of Commerce, and later completing a Masters of Public Relations at Mount Saint Vincent, Halifax Hype is Ryan’s second business following The Halifax Dog Walker. Initially, I did not know how closely I was going to work alongside Ryan. He is very dedicated when it comes to his business and those who volunteer with him, so he would be with us whenever we were promoting. With all of us working together, we got to know him as more than our boss. The friendship we all have with Ryan is great because he understands how busy a student’s life can be. He allows us to speak up if we don’t agree with something; if we have an idea that may benefit the company, he gives us the floor. We respect and connect with him enough that not only do we as volunteers want to make the most of our opportunities, we also want to see his business grow!

Save the ‘Whine’ for Romantic Dinners. Not complaining will get you far:

Remember that you’re volunteering. There should be no room for complaining. It can be difficult to work and not get paid, but if you’re volunteering somewhere you enjoy then it shouldn’t be a big problem. I have to be honest, there are times when I’m volunteering I just wish I’d stayed home. And that feeling is completely normal. But, if I’m having a bad day on the job, I keep it to myself. After all, whining and complaining won’t make the day or the work go faster, and it can bring down morale. Being able to control your emotions shows maturity, which may gain you more responsibility. When volunteering with Halifax Hype, Ryan Meaney started to give my fellow students and I more responsibility because we showed we were able to handle it. Now, some of the Hype promoters, including myself, are more involved with the company, aiding in the creation of marketing techniques, making newsletters, communicating through social media, and even updating the website. These experiences are great because we are gaining skills for the future.

Volunteering is a great way to obtain practical knowledge that can be used for future endeavors. Hopefully these tips can help you seize the right volunteer opportunity to begin your long, prosperous, and fun career! Good luck.