Why should you volunteer?
Why do you WANT to volunteer?
How many times have you heard “you SHOULD volunteer?”
If it’s not from your teachers, it’s probably from your parents. There’s a lot of pressure on us to be involved in a million things so we can get that job we want or be accepted to the university of our choice.
When I first started volunteering it was because I “had to” in order to graduate high school. At the time, I wasn’t sure what the point of volunteering was because I didn’t get paid for my time. When I actually began volunteering, I found a deeper satisfaction when I spent my time doing something for others rather than for my own monetary benefit.
Find a volunteer position because you want to.
When it comes to volunteering, I truly believe it is an opportunity to choose how to spend your time rather than forcing yourself to dedicate a few hours a week to a cause you don’t connect with or care about.
What I really like about volunteering at ConnecTeen is that it doesn’t feel like work. Instead it feels like I’m doing something worthwhile because I get to spend my time helping other youth feel less alone and that’s really fulfilling.
I also get a chance to meet fellow volunteers and talk about pretty much everything. The best part is that a lot of the volunteers are from other areas of the city so I get to meet people I normally wouldn’t. It’s also a unique experience to bond with someone over helping others. A lot of my friends from school that don’t volunteer, don’t understand why I like it so much, but the other ConnecTeen volunteers get it.
ConnecTeen volunteers know that everyone struggles with some sort of stress in their life and that they may not have someone to talk to about it. It’s amazing getting to know other people who “get it”.
I still love my school friends but to me, my volunteer friends have a better understanding about that side of me and why I want to better the Calgary community.
This is just one reason why I like volunteering. For you, there may be for something different driving you. Whether you’re looking to meet new people, gain professional experience, apply to post-secondary, expand your skill set, try something new, build your self-esteem or confidence, or you want to make a difference in your community or experience a combination of these things…find something you enjoy.
Spend your time the way you want so you grow and learn new things.
