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Did you know that volunteering can be a great way to boost your college application? It helps you develop crucial transferable skills, from communication and interpersonal skills to team working and leadership skills. You will also hone your time management, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills. All of these skills can add serious weight to your college application and give you the edge over other applicants. Admissions officers also know that applicants who have spent time volunteering are more likely to have developed all of these skills.
To make the most of your time spent volunteering, it is important to find volunteer work that suits you. Here are two ideas to get you started:
Search for Major-Relevant Volunteer Opportunities
Look for volunteering opportunities in an organization related to your chosen field of study. This will give you valuable insight into your prospective career field and help you solidify your decision. It will also help broaden your network of relevant professionals who can mentor, guide and advise you and even give you a referral for a paid position when you are ready.
For example, if you want to be an English major, you could look into summer reading programs at local libraries, or read to kids that are in the hospital.
Find a Cause that Matters to You
There are plenty of causes that need people to champion them. Search around to find what matters to you. Do you want to protect the environment? Look for trash clean up or recycling programs. Want to help the homeless? Donate items and volunteer at a soup kitchen. Love animals? Shelters are always looking for volunteers to help with rescue pets.
Volunteer work shouldn’t feel like a chore. It should inspire passion and empathy. So find what matters to you and go make a difference in the world! (And earn some kudos on your college application while doing so).
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