Build Skills via Service
On the QT Newsletter, Build Skills via Service
November 18, 2008
BrainstormTheBenefits.pdf (40 KB)
Did you know? At a time when employers say new hires lack soft skills, volunteer experiences help students acquire the skills they need to succeed. According to a 2007 Deloitte Consulting study, volunteering gives students an opportunity to make networking contacts, learn business skills, and/or develop their leadership abilities. Today when students are finding it challenging to accumulate meaningful work experiences, eighty-one percent of employers say volunteer work qualifies as relevant experience. While employers are impressed with volunteerism, today’s students also value service. Millennials, as a group, have altruistic tendencies and want to give back to their communities. In fact, volunteerism is up over 20% on college campuses and college students are volunteering in record numbers. In today’s activity, you’ll help your students brainstorm some of the personal and career-enhancing benefits of service.
Try This:
- Share a volunteer experience you have had and ask students to share one of theirs.
- Distribute Brainstorm the Benefits activity, review the directions, and give student about 10 minutes to complete it.
- Bring students back together and quickly call on different students to cite some of the benefits of volunteerism. (Many reasons here.)
- Display volunteermatch.org and enter your college’s zip code. Note the opportunities in your area and discuss them.
Add an Experience
Many students do not volunteer because they do not know where to begin. Give students extra credit for researching and contacting volunteer organizations that would be relevant to your course and appropriate for busy college students. Ask them to report to the class about volunteering at one-time events, or contributing on an occasional basis. Consider adding a volunteer or service learning component to your course next semester.
Quik Quote: If every American donated five hours a week, it would equal the labor of twenty million full time volunteers. Whoopi Goldberg
