Voluntary Work Advantages & Disadvantages
Volunteer workers can be found all over the world, performing a multitude of different skills and tasks. Not all volunteer efforts involve working with the disadvantaged or needy, for it is quite possible to be a volunteer at an art museum or an outdoor environmental site. There are many things you might consider before committing to volunteer work.
Other People Are Reading
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Fill A Personal Need
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By nature, people are a social animal. Sometimes the best way to fulfill this human need for social interaction is to participate in a volunteer situation, which places you in a group setting.
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Personal Satisfaction
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Volunteer work can be a simple way of doing something constructive, just for the personal reward of seeing the task brought to completion. Also, volunteer work does not have to be undertaken in a large group setting; working one-on-one with another individual may be just as effective and rewarding.
Lead To a Paying Job
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Volunteer work does not have to be altruistic. Many organizations hire part-time or full-time employees from the ranks of volunteers. Just be honest with yourself and your host about why you are a volunteer.
Time Consuming
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Volunteer work could take up a larger block of your time than you originally planned for. Make sure you have your volunteer commitments clearly defined before you begin and don't be afraid to say "no" to an additional request.
Misdirection of Time
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Volunteer work may not be right for everybody. Perhaps there is someone or someplace in your family or neighborhood, where your efforts or skills are needed more.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit "Operation Clean Sweep 2009" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: Port of San Diego (Port of San Diego) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
