Finding the Right Job
Why volunteer?
In today’s competitive job market it is vital that you distinguish yourself from other graduates and prove that you have experience which demonstrates your soft skills.
One way to improve your CV is by volunteering. If you are unemployed, this can also be a good use of your time and help you keep sane whilst looking for full-time employment!
What are the benefits?
There are number of benefits, which include:
- Gaining new skills and improving existing ones.
- Showing initiative - which looks good to employers.
- Meeting new people, helping you learn more about other working environments or industries and improve your communication skills.
- Helping you to gain an accreditation.
These all help to improve your employability. TimeBank and reed.co.uk recently conducted a survey which showed that 84% of those responsible for hiring thought that volunteering could lead on to a paid job and 80% value volunteering on a CV, above hobbies (66%). The benefits also extend into your job, with over 70% of employers seeing those who have volunteered in the past gain higher salaries and more opportunities for promotion.
The volunteers themselves believe that placements can help improve their:
- Communication skills (20%)
- Team working abilities (19%)
- Time management skills (10%).
(Source: news.reed.co.uk ‘reed.co.uk finds volunteers jumping the jobs queue’)
Improved wellbeing – an added benefit
Volunteering England and The University of Wales, Lampeter recently conducted a research review and found that those who took part in volunteer work had longer life expectancies, improved mental health, improved fitness, better coping mechanisms during illnesses, adopted healthier lifestyles and that volunteering had overall a positive impact on their wellbeing (i.e. family relations, self-esteem etc.)
The full report is available via www.volunteering.org.uk
Volunteering opportunities and resources
Become a STEM Ambassador
The STEM Ambassador Programme, nationally managed by STEMNET (the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths Network) enables anyone with STEM skills to volunteer as an inspiring role model for young people aged 5-19. By offering to take part in a single activity per year, you have the ability to engage students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, by providing real life applications to the topics they learn in the classroom.
STEM Ambassadors come from a wide range of ages and occupations including environmental scientists, chemists, civil engineers, marine biologists, medical physicists, pharmacists, apprentices and energy analysts. Many volunteers comment on the sense of achievement they feel following volunteering activities, which also provide opportunities to develop communication and presentation skills, building self-confidence through interaction with students.
For more information, please visit: www.stemnet.org.uk.
STEM Ambassador Case Study
Graduate Engineer, Andrew Keen, loves his job but says: “Getting away from your desk and doing something different is very appealing.” That’s why he loves the challenge that being a STEM Ambassador brings.
He says: “It’s easy to work with STEMNET, they are very accessible, responsive and supportive – and they always give thanks and feedback at the end of the project.”
Andrew is currently working in the Research and Development department at diesel engineering manufacturers, Perkins, a subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc. When he was asked to come up with a ‘real life’ project for sixth form students at Thomas Deacon Academy, Cambridgeshire, he chose to develop a colleague’s idea for an engine component that could help the company increase market share, which had not yet been developed because the department was too busy.
Andrew presented the idea to the school, carried out interviews, and put together a four-strong project team. He says: “I met with the team every week to support and facilitate, and they also spent three days working with experts in the workshops at Cambridge University.
It was a real life experience for the students. They were really enthusiastic – and gained a heck of an appreciation of a diesel engine! They also developed a range of project management skills to complement their studies.”
The Fuel Systems Team was so impressed with the project that it is now working on a prototype component.
Although it meant being away from the office for three hours a week for six months, Andrew says: “Perkins is happy to let me go because the project was devised by them and will benefit them.”
And he adds: “A lot of employers recognise and support STEMNET now, so working with them looks good on your CV and in your application”
Andrew also found the experience “a fantastic opportunity to gain team leading, people management and mentoring skills, which once again will help in my career development.”
Gap years
This is a common choice for people before and after university, giving you a range of opportunities to experience new cultures, meet new people and generally have a great time. However, please be aware that employers may look negatively on someone who spends the whole year abroad without doing anything more productive than partying.
Use at least some of your time wisely; there is a huge range of volunteer placements available which can be arranged from the UK. These vary enormously in length and price, so make sure you do some research to find what you want to get out of it and at a price you can afford.
Alternatively you can find a full-time or part-time job whilst you are away. If you plan to work abroad, bear in mind that language and visa restrictions will vary depending on your own background, the type of work and the country you intend to work in.
For more information read our ‘Gap Years’ article in Career Choice: Business & Management or visit some of the websites mentioned below.
Useful websites:
How to put placements in your CV
You’ve taken part in some volunteering or are doing so still and you’d now like to put these new experiences into your CV. The most effective way of doing this is by thinking of these placements as equivalent to paid work. You should:
- Include the name of the organisation, your title and the duration of the placement.
- Outline your responsibilities and emphasise what you achieved during your time there.
- Highlight the communications, planning, team working or time management skills that you may have gained during this period.
- Always tailor your CV to each company and job role you are applying for; this includes any volunteering you may have done. Emphasise the placements and skills most appropriate to each role.
(Source: career-advice.monster.co.uk)
Further notes
Please be aware that if you are receiving Job Seekers Allowance there are conditions associated with this and working voluntarily. Talk to your Job Centre for further details. Keep up to date with the latest industry news -
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