Employers are more interested in the skills and knowledge you have developed than whether you were paid for your work. Volunteerism is an excellent way to contribute to your community while furthering your own career and skill development, building your career network and demonstrating your professionalism.
Include Your Volunteerism on Your Resume
Tips for Getting Started
Campus Departments with Volunteer Opportunities
Web Resources
Include Your Volunteerism on Your Resume
Volunteer experiences are great to include on your resume, especially if you developed skills that you will use in your professional role. Review the Career Services resume page to learn more about including volunteer experiences in your self-marketing materials.
Tips for Getting Started
Evaluate Your Interests and Goals
The first step in pursuing opportunities through volunteerism is to evaluate your goals. Do you want to develop a specific skill, help with a particular issue – the environment, homelessness, public health or others - or work with a specific group - children, senior citizens, animals or others? Identifying your interests in this way can help as you search for organizations to consider.
Search for and Learn about Organizations
With your interests and goals in mind, begin to look for organizations where you could volunteer. The Campus Departments and Web Resources (anchor to sections below) listed below can help with your search.
Before approaching an organization, do your homework. What is the mission of the organization? Do they have information on their website for volunteers or about opportunities? As you review these resources, are there specific projects or roles that you are particularly interested in? Get off to a positive start as an informed and prepared volunteer.
If you are Interested in Gaining Specific Experience
Many community organizations have more work to do than staff to do it, so volunteering can be a great way to build specific skills. When seeking out volunteer opportunities, it is completely acceptable to share your goals for the experience with the volunteer coordinator or contact person. The organization may or may not be able to address all of your goals all of the time, but by asking, you have demonstrated initiative and opened the door to discussing these possibilities further.
Jonathan Friday, volunteer recruitment specialist for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Milwaukee, appreciates volunteers who share their goals:
“When a perspective volunteer comes to Big Brothers Big Sisters with an idea or goal in mind regarding their volunteer experience, it shows us they are serious and ready to commit to mentoring a child in our program. This initiative will also help us determine which volunteer program will best fit their schedule and personality. Pairing a volunteer with a program that fits their lifestyle will allow us to create a much more enjoyable experience for them and the child – something BBBS is always striving for.”
Jonathan also encourages students to share their academic goals:
“It’s very helpful for education students or students with an academic focus in school psychology, social work, or counseling to share that with our staff so that we can help create a volunteer experience that furthers and reinforces their coursework. Through our Site-based mentoring program students will interact in a school setting and have support and feedback from a Site Coordinator.”
Demonstrate Your Professionalism & Build Your Career Network
Volunteering is an excellent opportunity to build your career network and demonstrate your professionalism. You may not be paid for your work, but your contributions are still important and the personal and professional benefits of volunteering are real. Through skill development, organization staff who could serve as references and through the initiative you show in getting involved in your community, volunteering can have numerous professional impacts. Just as you would in a paid role:
- Ask questions: Learn about the organization, projects and (if applicable) departments. How does your work as a volunteer fit into the big picture for the organization? What are some future goals or initiatives for the organization?
- Show up on time: While you are not “on the clock,” the organization is still depending on you to fulfill responsibilities. Punctuality and professionalism help maintain your positive impression.
- Network with staff: Organization staff could serve as references for future employers. If you are volunteering in a role or field that supports your career goals, organization staff could also serve as networking contacts to help connect you to other professionals in the field.
Campus Departments with Volunteer Opportunities
Campus Ministry – Campus Center, Room 122 / (414) 410-4150
Habitat for Humanity: Volunteer for spring break service trips with Habitat for Humanity.
St. Ben’s Meal Program: More than 25 years of service by Stritch students. Participate in conversation, guided observation and a meal with the guests at St. Ben’s. Contact Campus Ministry to register and sign up for a ride.
Repairers of the Breach: Travel to Repairers of the Breach Daytime Homeless Shelter to serve and interact with the people who are a part of this community.
Opportunities Binder: Visit the Campus Ministry office to review the binder of volunteer opportunities.
International Programs – Duns Scotus 103 or 114 / studyabroad@stritch.edu
International Service Immersion Programs: learn about local culture while helping those in need.
Center for Calling and Engagement -- Campus Center, Room 137 / (414) 410-4750
(which includes the Office of Vocation Development)
Service, Engagement, and Reflection Opportunities: The Center assists students in pursuing internships, service learning and field placements with non-profit and faith-based agencies, churches, or organizations. The Center also helps students reflect upon their engagements and experiences in order to further develop their life’s calling.
Student Development – Dean of Students Office, Campus Center 120 / (414) 410-4184
Service and Spirituality Groups: Get involved in student organizations with a service mission. Click here to learn more.
Academic & Service Learning Volunteer Opportunities
Some academic departments offer service learning opportunities. Inquire with faculty about opportunities available through your degree program.
Web Resources
Volunteer Listings
Volunteer Match.org
Directory of Volunteer Centers in Wisconsin
Idealist (Volunteer and job search website with a non-profit focus)
Milwaukee Area
Volunteer Center of Milwaukee
Community Shares of Greater Milwaukee
Milwaukee Archdiocese: Catholic Charities
Ozaukee County
Volunteer Center of Ozaukee County
Kenosha
Kenosha County Department of Health and Human Services
Charity Guide
Keep Kenosha Beautiful
Madison
City of Madison Volunteer Opportunities
United Way of Dane County
Volunteers over 55: RSVP of Dane County
Minneapolis Area
Hands On Twin Cities
United Way of Central Minnesota
In addition to these listings, if there are specific issues or groups for which you are interested in volunteering, general internet searches can be a helpful tool.