Unlocking Professional Growth and Character Development through Skills-Based Volunteering

Patronella Sono

In an increasingly competitive job market, professionals are continually seeking innovative ways to develop their careers and distinguish themselves.

One of the most effective yet overlooked strategies is adopting skills-based volunteering. This approach offers a dual-advantage: you see, it not only enhances professional growth but also contributes significantly to character development.

From a career advisory perspective, here’s how skills-based volunteering can transform your career trajectory and personal development.

Developing essential professional skills
Skills-based volunteering is an invaluable opportunity to cultivate and refine a broad spectrum of professional skills. Key competencies that can be developed in your character include:

1. Leadership
Leading volunteer projects helps develop leadership capabilities which provide a person’s practical experience in guiding teams and managing resources.

2. Communication
Volunteering often involves engaging with diverse groups, which enhances your ability to communicate effectively across various contexts.

3. Project management
Managing volunteer initiatives sharpens project management skills, from planning and execution to monitoring and evaluation.

4. Problem-solving capabilities
Tackling real-world challenges in volunteer settings hones critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

5. Teamwork
Collaborative volunteer efforts strengthen teamwork skills, emphasising the importance of cooperation and, mutual support.

6. Adaptability
Navigating the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of volunteer work fosters adaptability and resilience in one’s character. These are crucial skills needed in an almost every-day work setting. Get this right and, you’re already five steps ahead of the job-hunting pack.

Aligning volunteer opportunities with career goals
While all these strengths are attractive and worth developing, in order to reap the full benefits of skills-based volunteering, it is essential to identify opportunities which align with your naturally inclined skill-set, interests and, career aspirations. To put it into context: if you would like to become a leading veterinary who specialises in bone health for dogs, it would be best placed for you to volunteer your services at an animal hospital ideally situated in a disadvantaged community. Here are some strategies to help you find your right match:

1. Research organisations: as mentioned above, look for organisations whose missions resonate with your values and professional expertise.
2. Network with volunteer coordinators: reach out to coordinators to discuss how your skills can best be used.
3. Use volunteer platforms: at MMH, the forgood MM Volunteer platform is an excellent resource for employees to discover opportunities that align with their passions and skill-sets.

Leveraging volunteer experiences for career advancement
Skills-based volunteering can be a powerful asset in your career toolkit. Here’s how to effectively highlight these experiences on your CV:

• Detail specific projects: clearly describe the projects you’ve worked on, including your role and responsibilities.
• Showcase outcomes: highlight the tangible outcomes and impact of your volunteer work.
• Quantify your impact: use numbers and metrics to illustrate your contributions to the organisation you volunteered at
• Emphasise leadership roles: if you held a leadership position, make sure to underscore this experience.
• Create a dedicated section attributed to your volunteerism efforts: add a ‘volunteer experience’ section to your CV to showcase your contributions to your community.
• Include volunteer references especially for those without extensive work experience, adding references from your volunteer work can be essential.

Gaining an industry edge
Engaging in skills-based volunteering provides a competitive edge to the job seeker within your specific industry of choice. Just a few ways this shapes you professionally includes: it demonstrates your ability to commit to a project and team; builds your profile as a well-rounded professional and enhances your dedication to social responsibility.

Leading by example
There are numerous examples of professionals who have leveraged skills-based volunteering to advance their careers. Consider Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook who was involved in various volunteer and advocacy roles, notably thorough her Lean In Foundation or Susan Wojcicki, CEO of YouTube, who has a history of supporting educational non-profits – her volunteer work has involved strategic planning and project management, which has been critical in driving large-scale projects at YouTube. These experiences not only enhanced their professional capabilities but also demonstrated their ability to apply their skills beyond traditional job roles, thereby propelling their careers forward.

Embracing skills-based volunteering additionally strengthens societal fabric. I encourage South Africans, especially those seeking first-time employment to integrate this form of volunteering into your professional journey. In time, you will sit back and reflect on the profound personal and professional transformation you have undergone.