Finding the Work You Love

Is a Volunteer Career in Your Future?

The path to a career change can be as conventional or unconventional as you like. It can travel through familiar territory and involve a traditional job or it can venture into new and unfamiliar places. One option that's growing in popularity is a volunteer job or career. These days, many social service organizations offer paid positions as well as pro bono positions. If you're thinking of entering the not-for-profit sector, the following organizations can help you match your skills and experience with a part-time or full-time position:

DeepSweep
www.deepsweep.com
This website bills itself as the largest provider of “nonprofit jobs in one place for free.” It features an extensive job bank and allows individuals to post résumés for free. Not-for-profit organizations have been known to comb the site, looking for individuals who match their needs.

Idealist.org
www.idealist.org
“Action without Borders” is the official tagline for this organization, which lists more than 7,400 nonprofit jobs and nearly 12,000 volunteer opportunities in a powerful search engine. You can look for positions by keyword, country, postal code, or language of posting. You can also include skills you have to offer—from cooking to carpentry to writing—as well as languages you speak. Clicking a link brings up a detailed profile of the organization. Also, don’t miss the organization’s e-book, The Idealist Guide to Nonprofit Careers for Sector Switchers. It provides details about how to make the switch to the not-for-profit sector. You can download a copy at: www.idealist.org/en/career/guide/sectorswitcher/index.html.

InterAction
www.ineraction.org
This entity represents “the largest coalition of U.S.-based international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) focused on the world’s poor and most vulnerable people.” You can learn about agencies and opportunities, including international relief and development agencies.

Global Volunteer Network
www.volunteer.org
This New Zealand-based organization is a clearinghouse for volunteer opportunities in more than 20 countries, including Cambodia, China, Ecuador, Ghana, India, Nepal, Tanzania, and the United States. Its website provides information about volunteer opportunities—including program locations and requirements—and helps volunteers connect to positions that intrigue them.

Global Volunteers
www.globalvolunteers.org
If you’re looking for a volunteer vacation or a long-term volunteering effort, this organization can help you find the organization and position you seek. It offers opportunities to teach conversational English, care for at-risk children, paint, repair blighted buildings, or provide healthcare services. It operates links to programs in Costa Rica, Jamaica, Mexico, and the United States.

Network for Good
www.networkforgood.org
This organization serves as a central hub for volunteer opportunities as well as donations to various charities. If volunteerism beckons, it lets you search by areas of interest, zip code (and other geographic factors), group affiliation, and age (including kids, teens, and seniors). The site also features tips on volunteering wisely and personal stories from those who volunteer.

VolunteerMatch
www.volunteermatch.org
Matching “good people with good causes” is the mission of this organization. It boasts more than 3.2 million referrals. Enter your zip code, any distance restrictions (that is, how far you’re willing to travel), and area of interest to view a list of matching opportunities and organizations. Clicking on a link displays a detailed description of the opportunity, including a contact person and a map for the activity or event. You can also create an account in order to receive e-mail alerts and more in-depth information.

For more information, check out my previous blog post, "Clarity via Charity" (http://www.recareering-guide.com/my_weblog/2008/11/clarity-via-charity.html) as well as my book, "Finding the Work You Love." It is filled with strategies and resources for navigating a career change.

Clarity via Charity

For many workers, particularly older individuals who have already climbed the career ladder and achieved life goals, the idea of volunteering--part-time or full-time--is incredibly appealing. But volunteerism is no sure-fire ticket to happiness either. You may find yourself subject to a constant stream of marching orders, the work environment may be spartan, you may find yourself dealing with hardship and sadness (particularly in a developing nation), and office politics and pettiness may raise its ugly head. It's essential to know the pros and cons before you commit to any organization or cause. Here are some key factors to consider:

Know your motivation. Do you want to give back to society? Build a stronger community? Create a legacy? A clear idea of why you're involved can help you find the right path to being involved. It may also lead you to a new career.

Understand your skills. If you go with your strengths and provide expertise in areas that can benefit an organization, the odds of a good match are increased. You will likely enjoy the work more and have a bigger impact.

Find the right match. Be clear on what you want to give and what you expect to get from a volunteer position. For some, it's enough to help society at large or a specific community in any way they can. For others, it's important to stay active--physically, mentally, and/or socially. Still others will settle for nothing less than a cause they are passionate about. Know what an organization is offering before you sign up.

Know your schedule. Don't overcommit to an organization--it will lead only to burnout. Also, balance the desire to help with your need to earn an income. Oftentimes, volunteers see their hours and commitment grow as they get more involved with a cause.

Be realistic. More than 40% of volunteers quit within the first year. It's important to recognize that change doesn't occur overnight and that it's important to measure results in small but tangible ways. If you've done your homework and have a good match in place, you will be able to maintain the fundamental belief that what you're doing makes a difference.

Be aware, too, that volunteerism isn't everyone's cup of tea. But if you're among the growing wave of boomers and older workers yearning to make an impact, you might consider volunteerism and integrate it into your life. When it comes to finding the work you love, it's not only about money and status, it's about making the world a better place.