Volunteering is an unselfish act of a person or group voluntarily giving his/her time and labor for social good. Most volunteers are highly specialized in the specific fields they work in, including medical, education, or disaster relief. Still, others serve on an as-and-as-needed basis, like in response to a natural disaster. However, volunteering has its disadvantages. Knowing them can help you decide whether it is the right choice for you.
Volunteering
The biggest advantage of volunteering is that it helps you make new friends. If you’re a shy person who doesn’t really get involved in group activities, then maybe this kind of activity will do wonders for you. In addition, if you want to learn about other cultures or gain new skills, then getting out there and meeting new people will be a real gift to yourself. On top of that, volunteering is a great exercise.
There are also some disadvantages of volunteering, but mainly they are related to money. Since you will be helping out other people, you will have to pay for your services. Though it is not as bad as it sounds, being paid to help out is a lot different from getting free services like tutoring or cooking at a local restaurant https://topdailyguide.com/why-is-volunteering-important/. Also, depending on the program you chose, your time could be limited; therefore, making new friends is another disadvantage of volunteering.
Another disadvantage of volunteering is that it requires you to stay in a certain place. You will be spending a lot of time in one location, and you might feel isolated. If you have common interests, then maybe it will be better. But if not, then you will have to spend a lot of time away from one another, which is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it can be a good thing.
On the other hand, volunteering helps you develop your social skills. While in a volunteer position you will meet many different types of people. Some of them will end up working with you again. Others will recommend you to their friends, who may need your help. This increases your network, and when you get a chance you can help them out as well. Therefore, volunteering really helps you make new friends.
Although volunteering will give you an opportunity to meet new people, it is important to remember that it is still a job. When you choose to volunteer, you should be sure to follow your employer’s expectations. Most employers do not want volunteers to mingle with the general public. Therefore, they will tell you what you can and cannot wear while volunteering. Though it can be annoying at times, as long as you follow these guidelines, then you will have a great time, and you will make many new friends in the process.