Volunteering can give students the edge for employment

‘Boost your employability with skills and experience gained through volunteering’ is the message from Volunteer Now to students and young people as they get set for Student Volunteering Week, 20 – 26 February.

 

Wendy OsborneOBE, Chief Executive, Volunteer Now said: “With more than one in five young people in Northern Ireland currently unemployed, volunteering presents a win-win scenario for young people and the community: they do something positive and make a difference and in return, gain experience and transferrable skills demanded by employers - which may well give them the edge on an application form and in an interview situation. 

 

She added, “During Student Volunteering Week, we will be highlighting the employability factor volunteering offers, as well as the simple fact that volunteering compliments education.  It helps develop skills and experience outside the classroom and sets in place vital connections for young people with local communities – especially important for ‘settling in’ if they are studying away from home.”

Nicole O’Conner, student with theUniversityofUlstersaid:

“I have volunteered in a variety of roles and currently am involved with a Club which works with children who have learning disabilities.  I help set up games, supervise the children who attend and I do some one to one work. I get to be a big kid and play the games too, so I love volunteering and helping out, even though I miss out on a Saturday morning lie in!  For my University sports teams I do a lot of administration work, I book the pitches, organize matches, organize referees/coaches pay, run the Facebook page and contact all the girls about training times etc. Through volunteering I have gained a lot of organizational and communication skills which will help in my future career.”

Getting involved in volunteering is easy, to see a wide variety of opportunities go to www.volunteernow.co.uk and search by the activity which interests you.

Last updated 12 years ago