Volunteer Your Way to Success in the Workforce
Published in 2024
Have you ever thought about volunteering? If you’re thinking about work, you may find that volunteering can help you connect with others with similar interests, develop new skills and even jumpstart a career. No matter what type of job you want to pursue, volunteering can be a way to gain experience and position you to find employment. Ticket Program Success Story contributors Hazel, Jesus and Robert had volunteer experiences that helped them start their careers. Let's find out how Hazel’s volunteer work led to a satisfying career.
Meet Hazel
In 2013, after years of struggling with her mental health and recovery, Hazel entered a substance treatment program where doctors helped her find effective medicines and therapies. Within the year, she had given up alcohol and drugs.
Hazel felt better than she had in years. A counselor from Hazel's recovery center connected her to clubhouse community dedicated to helping its members recover from mental illness.
"When I became a member of Polaris House, I volunteered in the kitchen at first so I didn't have to be around too many people. I was still vulnerable, I came in every day because it was a safe place where they understood me. There were others there like me who understood what I was going through."
For the first time, Hazel found a place where she had meaningful work and a community where she belonged. After six months of volunteer service, she was put on the payroll part time. "I was needed there," she says. "Being needed and valued are a lifeline… Polaris House has been a sanctuary."
By the end of 2014, Polaris House offered Hazel full-time employment as a Club House Generalist, a job with many facets. Generalists are familiar with running a clubhouse and in some cases, take on leadership roles. It was a great opportunity for Hazel.
Hazel turned her volunteer work into a full-time career. Here are a few ideas about how volunteering can start you on the path to a career and financial independence.
Meet Jesus
On his road to full-time employment, Jesus volunteered with Telecare. Telecare works to improve the lives of people with serious mental illness. As a volunteer, Jesus learned about the important work this organization does in his community and found a career path he was passionate about. His role grew, and later that year, he accepted a paid position as a part-time case manager. Read more about Jesus to find out how volunteering and the Ticket Program helped him find his way to a full-time career.
Volunteering: A Building Block for Successful Employment
Time spent volunteering can help you:
- Find a network of connections in your community – Volunteering with others can help you build relationships. These relationships can lead to meeting potential employers or mentors who may be able to help you find a job.
- Add experience to your resume – Volunteering can also give you the kinds of experience and skills to add to your resume!
- Explore job options – Is there a specific kind of job you are looking for? Volunteering can help you explore different employment areas of interest and practice new skills that can be useful in paid employment.
Finding and applying for a volunteer position is a lot like finding and applying for a job. Think about the type of work you'd like to do. Do you like working alone or in big groups? Do you want to spend time outdoors or are you more comfortable working from a desk? What causes matter most to you?
Once you know the types of organizations you want to work with, ask yourself if there are specific skills you'd like to learn or improve upon that can help strengthen your resume. Volunteering opportunities are a great place to hone your soft skills, which are always in demand from employers.
Then, put your searching skills to work to find the perfect match for you. Reach out to people in your community, or use online sources like:
Or create your own volunteer opportunity.
If you see an issue that needs fixing or have a cause you're passionate about, network with your neighbors or others who are facing similar issues to find a solution. This can also help you grow your professional network as you get to know people with similar interests in your area. Once you have a plan of action, start your own project to give back to the people around you.
Taking on your own volunteer project builds important skills employers are looking for, like project management, problem solving and interpersonal communication. It also shows that you are an active and involved member of your community while allowing you to experience some possible future career paths up close. In short, volunteering allows you to explore your career goals, develop valuable skills and expand your network all while giving back to the community. Let’s see how Robert gave back to his community and transitioned to a new, fulfilling career.
Meet Robert
Robert is a veteran who spent seven years serving in the U.S. Army. After a surgery mishap in 2000, he sustained a spinal cord injury that left him with limited mobility. No longer able to perform the tasks required in his previous position as a U.S. Postal Carrier, Robert started receiving Social Security Disability Insurance and focused on regaining his mobility.
When he was ready, Robert connected with a Ticket to Work Program Employment Network (EN), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA). Together, they developed an Individual Work Plan that included the goal of returning to school.
While he made progress in school, Robert's EN helped him find a volunteer program at the Heinz Veteran's hospital in Chicago. He became a peer counselor and enjoyed helping fellow veterans get the services they needed for a smoother transition back to civilian life. He took time to learn each service member's story, establish trust and piece together a profile of needs and eligibility. Patience and kindness paid off with Robert's clients. Success as a peer counselor renewed his confidence in his ability to contribute and help others. PVA's vocational counseling services helped Robert discover that assisting other veterans was his next calling. The education and training he received laid the groundwork for future success.
"I learned a lot about myself, and it gave me an opportunity to kind of refocus my life. So, the disability (and the help that came with it) played a major role in ... where I am today. It kind of slowed my life down; gave me a chance to refocus and look at things in another way. If it wasn't for my disability, maybe I wouldn’t have gone back to school, or [taken] such a strong interest in helping others as I have today."
Volunteer work turned out to be a valuable stepping stone. Together, Robert and his career counselor updated his resume and sent it to the National PVA office. Robert applied for a position as a National Service Officer. In this role, he would advocate for other veterans to make sure they are getting the services and benefits they need. Many veterans qualify for multiple benefits, and Robert would help them navigate the complex rules surrounding them. His knowledge of both disability and veterans' benefits combined with a personable style and resourceful approach that would allow Robert to serve his peers in a fulfilling occupation. PVA saw this and hired him in 2010.
"I never imagined I would get a job like the one I've had as a National Service Officer. It's rewarding to advocate for someone else. So many vets don't get the help they need because they don't know where to begin and how to go about the process. Ticket to Work helped me go to work where my heart is."
Working shifted focus from his condition to helping others. At first, he was "...waiting on that check month to month, trying to find a way to keep occupied..." Today, Robert is learning new skills and building a new future.
"Ticket to Work did its part for me. I would encourage anybody to give it a try. When I took that first step, everything fell into place."
Hazel, Jesus and Robert used volunteerism to enhance their careers, and the Ticket to Work Program can help you on this journey. Connect with a service provider today to turn your volunteer experience into career experience!