3 Ways Volunteering Sharpens Your Skills
Happy Holidays my friends! This is a great time of year a lot of us look forward to – having a legitimate excuse to shop, getting together with family and friends, eating abundant dishes, especially ones that are saved just for these occasions, and the satisfaction of gift-giving. I agree with Laura Ann’s words from last week’s blog, we’re finding ways to be grateful for in 2020. The holidays will be celebrated a little different this year with the pandemic – shopping online, synching up lunch or dinner plans with virtual gatherings, and having a simple but special dinner at home. One passion of mine is volunteering. I love being able to spread happiness and pay it forward to help others. Did you know volunteering also has benefits to your career?
1) Developing new skills
Volunteering can highlight your strengths and help you develop new skills. In the past years, I was a speaker representing my company for Junior Achievement. Holding an MBA degree, I taught students business and economic concepts in a fun way, and I worked with teachers to synch up the concepts with what the students are currently learning. I also went to my former high school at least once a year to speak at their Career Days about my experiences in the corporate world and the field of IT. I love speaking so I’m happy to donate my time and knowledge to motivate the next generation to go after their career passion.
2) Building confidence
I’ve also branched out to do something I’ve never done before – construction! My work team and I volunteered one year for Habitat For Humanity, and participated in rehabbing a century-old home for a single mother with six children to live in once it was complete. Growing up, my parents would never let me hold a hammer or do any physical remodeling at home, for they feared (with good reason) I would hurt myself, make a mess or ruin the house, so I was totally out of my element when I was tasked to tear down rotting wood in the house. Armed with PPE - a mask, hard hat, work jumper to protect my clothes and skin, and protective gloves, I took a demolition tool and threw my first whack. After a while of whacking, I stopped and looked at my work – I actually did it without drama or blood! I helped the other crew members safely dump the wood and nails through the glassless window from the second floor into the huge industrial garbage bin in the driveway. I then moved onto the next task of sweeping up the insulation that came loose during the tear down.
Volunteering for Habitat gave me the confidence I didn’t know I had for that particular task. I started out with hesitance and reserve, then as I became comfortable with the work, my confidence built up and I finished through to completion. While demolition is not something I’m now claiming to be an expert at, nor something I would do on a regular basis, I proved to myself I can build the confidence to perform any task, even if it’s unfamiliar. I learned to dive into unchartered territory while knowing I’m doing good, which will transfer to any new assignment, project, or challenge I’m tasked with at work.
3) Sharpening your EI
Lastly, volunteering will sharpen your Emotional Intelligence. My first blog spoke of EI, and how it is an important characteristic to have as a professional. I acknowledged my lack of skills in the construction world, but rather than attempt to dodge the task and ask for a simple one, I decided to take a leap of faith while thinking of the benefits my work will bring to the family in need. As I speak to students, it warms my heart when they ask for advice on how to get started – how to interview for a part-time job or internship, what working in corporate is really like, what education you will actually use in the real world, etc. It shows they care about their future, and my job is to inspire them to keep caring. We’ve all been at that exploratory stage at one point, even as adults, so demonstrating empathy and adaptability as a volunteer will improve us professionally as leaders.
I’ve heard the saying that volunteering is a selfless/selfish act, because as we help those in need, we also help ourselves. Anyone remember the Friends episode where Joey challenged Phoebe to find an act of good-will she did that didn’t make her happy? As we help others, we can highlight our skills, learn a new skill, gain confidence, and sharpen our emotional intelligence.
We live in a different time now, and unfortunately in-person opportunities to volunteer are scarce. I was scheduled to be a judge at a DECA state competition this past March, but it was canceled due to the imminent COVID-19 lockdown in Illinois. I was excited about the event, and was hoping to network and have fun listening to a series of high school teams’ business proposals and provide feedback. Other volunteer opportunities were canceled, as our effort at that point was to stay safe and healthy.
So how can we volunteer during this unprecedented time? As we as a society continue adjusting how to navigate our new normal, we are finding creative ways to continue serving the community at a distance. Find organizations that are able to go virtual. DECA competitions will be going virtual early next year, so I have already signed up as a judge. Offer virtual tutoring for students whose parents need help. Reach out to non-profit organizations such as churches, shelters or food pantries for no-contact opportunities. Pick up groceries for at-risk individuals who are unable to venture out. Offer to revamp a church’s website to stream services or create a site for a local small business, so they can get more online exposure and revenue. One of the best ways to pay it forward is to donate your time and talent, not just over the holidays, but throughout the year. This display of gratitude goes a long way. What can you personally learn from volunteering?
-Gail
