Give Back and Gain New Skills

Are you looking to take your life in a new direction? Do you feel like it’s time to take that leap of faith? Perhaps having the opportunity to build new skills could be the silver lining amid this pandemic we’ve all been looking for.

Because of COVID-19, opportunities at your job may be currently waning, or maybe you’ve always just wanted to do something a little different? Perhaps you need a change, or you’re at an uncertain or unfulfilling career plateau? Community volunteer work can vastly broaden your exposure and experience to what’s out there where your regular day job doesn’t or can’t. 

Volunteering offers a space to connect with new people, experience something new and different, and give back to your community. And, of course, it provides a gamut of new skills to learn.

Ask your colleagues, family, or friends who volunteer. Ask anyone who volunteers—they’ll probably tell you that community service has added more depth and purpose to their lives and has helped them gain new skills that have aided them professionally. 

Community volunteer work also gives you a way to reconnect with the professional world after a much-deserved break and an opportunity to charge up your existing skills and talents. 

Here are just a few examples of skills that volunteering can help you obtain and develop:

But where to look for volunteer work? 

There are plenty of virtual volunteer activities to participate in during COVID-19. It’s not just practice that makes perfect, it’s planning as well. Approach your search for virtual community volunteer work like you’re looking for a part-time job. Let your interests and passions guide your path. Do a self-inventory of your skills, find out how and where you can make a difference, and then seek a role that will help fill in the community gaps.