Community service is a way to help those in need in your community. It can be anything from cleaning up a park to volunteering at a homeless shelter. It’s a great way to make a difference in your community and feel good about yourself.
Plus, it’s a great way to get out of your comfort zone and meet new people. Here are a few reasons why community service is important:
1. It’s a great way to get out of your comfort zone
In some cases, community service can involve working with people you wouldn’t normally interact with in your daily life. This allows you to develop a new perspective and to learn about different cultures. It can also help you to break down negative stereotypes and prejudices.
Getting out of your comfort zone can help you build confidence and improve your relationships. It can also make you more organized and responsible, which are qualities that colleges and employers look for in applicants. In addition, many community services are done in groups, which can lead to friendships and networking opportunities. This can be especially helpful for people who are not comfortable meeting strangers.
3. It’s a great way to learn about different careers
Every community has different issues, whether it’s low high school graduation rates, poverty, addiction or domestic violence. Fortunately, there are professionals working in the field of community services who help individuals overcome these challenges by offering empathetic support and guidance. These empathetic workers can be found in all sorts of settings, including schools, hospitals and government agencies.
Oftentimes, people choose to do community service because they want to give back and pay-it-forward. But they can also use it as a way to learn about new career opportunities. By focusing on one specific area of interest, they can discover potential career paths that would fit their passion and skillset.
In addition, people who do community service are often able to network with other like-minded individuals. This can be beneficial when it comes to finding a job or applying for scholarships. Many scholarships require community service to be eligible. By listing their volunteer experience on a scholarship application, students can set themselves apart from the rest of the competition.
4. It’s a great way to build your resume
Whether it’s cleaning trails, clearing brush or painting a mural, community service helps students build their resume and get out of their comfort zone. It’s important to find an organization that lines up with your interests and skill set and is willing to give you a chance to grow in that area.
In addition to helping people, community service can also help you meet new people and learn about different cultures. It’s also a great way to gain skills you can use in the workplace, such as teamwork, communication and problem-solving.
Whether or not you include outside and community activities on your resume depends on how well they match your career future and the next target job. I typically advise job seekers to only add them if they can demonstrate how their experience fits with the company’s culture or provides strong professional value. For example, adding your volunteer work or board membership can prove you have a good work ethic and are willing to step up when needed.