Volunteerism
Volunteerism offers a great opportunity to learn new skills or enhance existing skills, gain experience in the workforce and contribute to the community. Many military spouses find deep satisfaction in volunteering their time. Often, paid employment is too difficult to find or simply does not suit the needs of the spouse. Volunteering provides an advantage when seeking future employment while also serving the needs of the community. More information on volunteerism is available.
Some of the best reasons to volunteer include offering your time to individuals and organizations in need, sharing your skills, connecting with the community and making a difference in someone else’s life. Volunteering is a positive, altruistic act.
Volunteering helps you:
- Learn new skills and gain career experience
- Meet new people while contributing to a greater cause
- Raise your self-esteem and general satisfaction
Volunteering helps the job seeker:
- Skills and experience are added to your resume.
- Important network connections are established.
- You have the “inside track” as paid positions come available in your organization.
- Your volunteer network can introduce you to external hiring officials.
Volunteering is good for young people:
- They learn important life lessons and become more socially aware.
- Kids experience the values of hard work and helping others.
- The work makes a strong point on college applications.
- They can explore careers.
Find the opportunities that suit you best. To start, try United We Serve, All For Good, or Volunteer.gov. On some sites, you can customize the location, select a specific type of opportunity, even choose the agency for which you would like to volunteer. Visit your local FFSP for further assistance on finding volunteer opportunities.
Don’t forget, you can put volunteer work on a resume; go to Blue Star Families for help with accomplishment statements that highlight military-related volunteer experience (Ombudsman, Red Cross, FRG, USO and more).
Volunteer FACTS from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
- 64.5 million people volunteered in 2012.
- Nearly 24 percent of unemployed persons volunteered.
- Over 42 percent became involved by approaching the organization and offering to help.
Updated June 1, 2022