Welcome to our volunteer guest blogger, Kathryn Tarquini. Thank you, Kathryn, for sharing your expertise and knowledge in this article!

Ah, the joys of summer! For many students, it is a time to enjoy a break from rigorous schedules and studies. Whether you are in high school thinking about college or a college student preparing for a career, it’s tempting to put those plans for the future aside and just enjoy a relaxing summer.

Thinking about the future and new experiences can be exciting! It can also become stressful if it raises questions that don’t have clear answers. Questions such as:

• Will I get into college?
• How will I choose a major?
• Will I find a job when I graduate?

Whether planning for college or launching a career, spending part of your summer as a volunteer can help ease the tension by preparing you for the future in a fun and relaxed way. It’s a low-risk way to earn volunteer hours, clarify your vision, and gain skills. Browse hundreds of summer volunteer opportunities for students at ActivateGood.org for those that interest you and fit your schedule. It’s that easy!

Creating Your Future Self Starts Now

“The world is your oyster,” as the saying goes. However, as you approach the next phase of your life, that can feel overwhelming. There are so many options, but how do you know what you enjoy or what you need to be successful? How can you choose, especially with little experience or knowledge of so many interesting fields?

Enter Activate Good. The Activate Good Youth Volunteer Corp of the Greater Triangle offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities to help you discover your talents, find what you enjoy, and clarify a vision of your future. No doubt you will experience new adventures and form friendships, all while investing in your community as well as yourself.

Amplify Your College Application

Regardless of where you volunteer or what tasks you complete, your experiences can become part of future club or college applications and essays. Serving your community and learning leadership skills as a volunteer are considered valuable and altruistic extracurricular activities. Volunteering in different organizations and trying new tasks can help you clarify career goals and create riveting personal essays. Spend part of your summer as a volunteer, and you will not only earn volunteer hours but also likely develop some of the skills that will help make your next application stand out.

Skills You Can Acquire Through Volunteering:

• Reliable
• Organized
• Adaptable
• Collaborative
• Calm under Pressure

How Volunteering in College Pays Off Later

Employers are looking for people who want to make an impact, not just collect a paycheck. They want people who can work well with others to tackle difficult assignments and produce results. As you enter the workforce, your volunteer experience and the transferable skills you gain will amplify your resume.

For example, as a volunteer, you will work as a team to tackle some of the most challenging situations in our community. Volunteer teams learn to remain calm and positive in the face of unexpected obstacles and to make the most of limited resources. Teams support each other in acquiring new skills and assign roles to those best suited for the task. Volunteer organizations utilize data to demonstrate their impact on people’s lives, even if it involves only a few hours of effort. As a job seeker, you will be equipped with real-life team-building, impact analysis, and other leadership skills listed here to share with potential employers:

Leadership Skills You Can Aquire Through

• Volunteering:
• Managing Priorities
• Making Decisions
• Communicating Effectively
• Working Well with a Team
• Demonstrating Results

Why It Helps to Have Healthy Work Habits

Starting a new job or launching a career is an exciting experience. It feels great to know you were selected, and you strive to showcase your knowledge and talents. Being part of a team and contributing to their success is energizing. However, keep in mind that positive energy is still energy, and it needs to be refueled.

As a volunteer, you can sharpen habits that balance your energy. For example, try to get a good night’s sleep before your shift, take breaks during your shift, and find ways to incorporate fun and friendships during and after work. Ideally, these habits will remain with you as you enter the workforce and deepen throughout your career.

Beyond energy balance, volunteering allows you to explore your purpose in the workplace. It can help answer the question, “Why did I choose this career path?” This will become a key motivator, especially when you face challenges or competing priorities at work. Your purpose will also fuel a spirit of joy that will make your world and the world of those around you a bit brighter. For example, think of a time when you entered a business where the employees seemed to enjoy their job and truly wanted to help you. It’s a business you’ll likely return to as well as one you’d like to work in.

Knowing your purpose helps you face each work day with fresh enthusiasm to make a difference. Volunteering can help launch this healthy attitude that can grow with you throughout your career.

Level up your summer! Visit the volunteer page today and take a solid step toward creating your future. As you give to your community, you will gain skills, knowledge, and friendships that not only boost your resume but will enrich your life.