With jobs very
scarce nowadays to find with this global economic downturn, volunteering remains
one of the best methods, which anyone can use to impress employers or even build
a platform to start self-employment. Although, volunteering means you would be
working unpaid or in some cases offer just allowances for transport or lunch,
the experience you end up gaining is worthwhile. Needless to say that you can
have as many qualifications as you can obtain, but with the competition today,
employers are looking at people with experience ready to work than people with merely
paper certificates.
Again, the numbers
of contacts you can make, simply by working for no payment, are far more than
money. Sometimes, volunteering is just that last door you need to knock to land
a job that is going to change your life and future. Unlike in paid employment,
which the employers will be asking you a list of requirements to fulfil to grab
a job, all you need in volunteering is just the time and will to try something
new.
Why volunteer
- It is good for health and morale
- It offers the chance to socialise with others
- It enables you to learn new skill and gain experience
Volunteering is
generally considered a philanthropic activity and is intended to promote good
or improve human quality of life. In return, the activity produces a feeling of
self-worth and respect; however there is no financial gain. That is to say
although you might be asking yourself, why should I be working for no payment,
but in reality you are helping to develop yourself for a subsequent job. It is easy
to tell anyone that you have a degree, but once you have been to two or more
interviews and end up being refused the jobs, then you would realise how hard
it is to convince people that you have something to offer. Therefore by volunteering,
you are offering yourself that opportunity to deal with the reality of the daunting
world of job hunting.
Volunteering is well-known
for skill development and socialization, and fun. Apart from learning a new skill or developing
a skill, by volunteering you get to meet new people and new challenges. Even if
you feel low working unpaid, the friends you meet, the contacts share and
opportunities you get to be exposed are all rewarding. That is just to confirm
that volunteering is also intended to make contacts for possible employment.
What can I volunteer in?
Finding a place
to volunteer can be a headache just as deciding what to volunteer on and where.
Colorss Foundation is the right place for you since we have helped many
volunteers and interns find some that suit them.
To make a good
choice on what you want to do as a volunteer/intern, it is easier first to
think about why you have decided to volunteer or be an intern if you are a
student. Is it to meet people and talk; to learn or try something different or
simply to offer something back to the community? With these questions in mind,
it shall be easier for our able and friendly staff to get something that matches
your need and something that would make you happy and you will enjoy doing as
well.
The time you
have to dedicate for volunteering or on internship with the Colorss Foundation
is also a determining factor to guide us get you something. At the moment, we
offer volunteering/internship from 4 weeks (1 month) to 52 weeks (12 months).
Depending on the time which one is ready to offer, the programme or project is
designed on that ground. Although we welcome intern/volunteer on a short-term
base, we are particularly interested in those who are willing to get involved
in long term bases. Long term volunteering/internship are beneficial to both
the organisation and its project as well as to the person involved.
The longer an
intern/volunteer stays, the more skill gathers and the better the people leave
as compared to those on a short term project. Long term projects also enable
the organisation to collect data, and draw good plans to help the
volunteer/intern, since when the project is finished we provide a certificate
and also keep records that could be readily provided to back any job references
demanded later.
Apart from the
duration and the type of project selected, some particular skills or
professional work are served solely for long term projects, such as research,
and teaching.
If you are interested to do volunteering or
internship with Colorss Foundation you need to write us with your resume, date
of volunteering or internship and location. We would get back to you with the
volunteering brochure and action plan.
For Love,
Mizuh Mbah
