The last post in this series discussed the importance of engaging in career-related activities during summer break, and outlined how to begin talking to and shadowing professionals in career fields that interest you. Now that you know how to connect with professionals, it opens the door to the second way you can work toward your professional goals over summer break:
VOLUNTEER FOR AN ORGANIZATION THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO GAIN EXPERIENCE IN A CAREER FIELD OF INTEREST.
Are you a nursing student who’s never worked in healthcare? Are you a Sociology major with a desire to help at-risk youth, yet you have no experience with youth organizations? In order to get an internship or job in your field of interest, you need to gain necessary skills and experience, and you can’t always do that in the classroom. Firsthand experience in a real-world setting can help verify that you’re on the right career path, and allow you to begin honing your professional skills.
When seeking a volunteer opportunity, be strategic. Seek out organizations and positions that will help you obtain experience related to your future occupation. It’s easy to do at sites like the Volunteer Center of Greater Milwaukee or VolunteerMatch.org, which allow you to search for volunteer opportunities based on the population you want to help and the skills you want to use. You can also target potential employers. If there’s an organization you’d like to someday work for, check out their website and see if they have volunteer positions. If they don’t, contact the organization, and ask if you could volunteer your time in a specific department. Alverno also publishes an annual Volunteer Guide, with some great tips on how to identify and pursue volunteer opportunities.
Even though you won’t be paid for the work that you do as a volunteer, the work is important, so treat the experience just as you would a job. Make sure that you adhere to basic professional etiquette: show up consistently and on-time, dress appropriately, and give your full attention to the work that you’re doing (e.g. no personal texting or Facebooking during your assigned volunteer hours). Create a positive and lasting impression about who you are, as a budding professional.
Finally, take advantage of all the great networking opportunities that go along with volunteering. Get to know the professional staff, and ask them for advice on how to prepare for a career in their field. Don't just relegate yourself to the department you're assigned to, either; introduce yourself to staff in other departments, and ask if you can discuss the work that they do over lunch. Chat with other volunteers, who may have connections at organizations you'd like to intern at or work for in the future. Remember that every interaction with a professional is a networking opportunity!
For Tip #3, come back next week!
VOLUNTEER FOR AN ORGANIZATION THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO GAIN EXPERIENCE IN A CAREER FIELD OF INTEREST.
Are you a nursing student who’s never worked in healthcare? Are you a Sociology major with a desire to help at-risk youth, yet you have no experience with youth organizations? In order to get an internship or job in your field of interest, you need to gain necessary skills and experience, and you can’t always do that in the classroom. Firsthand experience in a real-world setting can help verify that you’re on the right career path, and allow you to begin honing your professional skills.
When seeking a volunteer opportunity, be strategic. Seek out organizations and positions that will help you obtain experience related to your future occupation. It’s easy to do at sites like the Volunteer Center of Greater Milwaukee or VolunteerMatch.org, which allow you to search for volunteer opportunities based on the population you want to help and the skills you want to use. You can also target potential employers. If there’s an organization you’d like to someday work for, check out their website and see if they have volunteer positions. If they don’t, contact the organization, and ask if you could volunteer your time in a specific department. Alverno also publishes an annual Volunteer Guide, with some great tips on how to identify and pursue volunteer opportunities.
Even though you won’t be paid for the work that you do as a volunteer, the work is important, so treat the experience just as you would a job. Make sure that you adhere to basic professional etiquette: show up consistently and on-time, dress appropriately, and give your full attention to the work that you’re doing (e.g. no personal texting or Facebooking during your assigned volunteer hours). Create a positive and lasting impression about who you are, as a budding professional.
Finally, take advantage of all the great networking opportunities that go along with volunteering. Get to know the professional staff, and ask them for advice on how to prepare for a career in their field. Don't just relegate yourself to the department you're assigned to, either; introduce yourself to staff in other departments, and ask if you can discuss the work that they do over lunch. Chat with other volunteers, who may have connections at organizations you'd like to intern at or work for in the future. Remember that every interaction with a professional is a networking opportunity!
For Tip #3, come back next week!
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