Resource Center

Volunteering and community service for teens can be a great way to develop skills and make connections in the industry that you’d like to work in for the rest of your life. Volunteering and community service can also give you a chance to try out a job that you think you’d like as a career choice, before putting all your time and resources into refining the skills needed for that job.

There are plenty of teen volunteer opportunities available in the non-profit sector. The reason that there are so many volunteer job opportunities in the non-profit sector is simple: There’s not enough money to constantly hire the people with the necessary skills to do the jobs that need to be done.

You won’t be paid to work in a volunteer job for the non-profit sector. But instead of paying you for the work you do, many non-profit sectors will take the time to properly train you. So, instead of paying for formal training, you can get some on-the-job training that you’ll be able to use right away to help you earn some money.

Other benefits to volunteering include polishing your interpersonal skills, understanding people better, motivating others, and dealing with difficult situations.

A 2000 study by the National Survey of Giving, Volunteering, and Participating (NSGVP) shows that most (68 percent) of volunteers say that volunteering helped them build better communication skills. And developing communication skills is essential to succeeding in most jobs. In the same survey, 63 percent said that volunteering helped increase their knowledge about the issues related to volunteering. This is very good if you’re volunteering in an area you’d like to, or are considering working in, as a career choice for the rest of your life.

The survey by the NSGVP showed that the majority of people who volunteered increased their job opportunities because they were able to get the job-related skills necessary for certain jobs. In fact, this is the major reason why teens and young adults your age (15 to 24) volunteer. Eighty-two percent of volunteers in this age group were able to substantially increase their communication skills.

So, if you’re a teen or young adult, take the time to consider volunteer or community service. You can do this instead of having a paying job, between paying jobs, or while you already have a paying job.

By giving freely of your time and any expertise you may have, you’ll gain skills and make a difference in the world around you. You’ll be able to network and gain contacts in your chosen career field. You’ll build your self-esteem and confidence. You’ll get to meet new people and maybe even make a significant difference in someone’s life. And you’ll feel valued and needed.

To find local volunteer opportunities in your area, check out your local community newspapers. Many will post volunteer opportunities. Or if there’s an organization in your area that connects volunteers with those who need them, contact that company. You can find them in the phone book. Or contact the non-profit organization of your choice to see what volunteer work you can do for them.