PATH TO SUCCESS: INVESTING IN YOUR CAREER BY HELPING OTHERS | P 04 Volunteering Tips • Be actively involved. Don’t volunteer so you can put it on your LinkedIn profile. Contribute in a meaningful way. • Be realistic about the time you can dedicate to volunteering. • Follow through on your commitments. People are depending on you. • You may have expectations of what you’ll do, but be flexible—accommodate the organization’s needs.

Recognize that small tasks pay big dividends. • You might not find the right organization right away. Keep an open mind, and don’t be hesitant to continue looking for one that interests you. • Work hard, be consistent, and be reliable. You’ll be given higher levels of responsibility in the organization. • Understand the organization’s mission, and use it as a source of inspiration and the foundation for decisions you help the organization make. • Identify a skill (event planning, project management, finance, etc.) that will benefit the organization, and create a plan for how you can use it. • Get to know the other volunteers; they’re now part of your growing network. Resources and Articles Idealist: A Web site where you can browse volunteer opportunities. Volunteer Match: A Web site that matches your interests with not-for-profit organizations seeking volunteers. “Volunteering Can Boost Skills, Advance Careers”: Article from Monster.com. “Volunteer to Advance Your Career”: Article from Examiner.com. “How to Find a Volunteer Opportunity That Will Advance Your Career”: Article from Idealist Careers. .