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A
friend of mine has a notepad on her refrigerator that reads,
"Stop Me Before I Volunteer Again!" Indeed, that is a
familiar sentiment to many moms of school-age children,
especially during the first few months of the fall.
Unfortunately,
volunteering can sometimes be a double-edged sword -- you want
to be a good citizen, but volunteering can turn into a time
drain that prevents you from concentrating on work-related
activities.
If
you've been feeling conflicted about your volunteer obligations,
consider "targeted volunteering."
What
is targeted volunteering? Put simply, instead of waiting
for people to approach you about volunteer jobs you don't really
want (i.e., chairing the bake sale committee) proactively seek out challenging
assignments with organizations that really interest you.
You'll
be happier -- they'll benefit from your hard work -- and in the
process, you'll gain new skills, contacts and experiences to
help bolster your resume when you're ready to return to work.
Whether
you're thinking of starting your own business or contemplating a
return to the office, here are four ways to turn into a
"career-smart" volunteer:
1.
Chair a committee for a professional association: One of my
clients did this when she was trying to break into the field of
training and development and within two years she was elected President
of her local chapter of ASTD. She then used the contacts
and skills gained from her volunteer experience as a springboard
into her new business as a Public Speaking Consultant.
2.
Accept volunteer assignments with organizations that are aligned
with your career interests: Thinking about becoming a
teacher? Volunteer at your child's school and learn more about
the day-to-day challenges of being a teacher. Interested in
grant-writing? Seek out opportunities to write a grant for a
local community agency.
3.
Run for President: As president of a volunteer organization
you'll have opportunities to polish your management,
public-speaking and long-range planning skills. This is a smart
way to add relevant leadership skills to your resume without the
pressures associated with a "real" full-time job.
4.
Join a Board: Volunteer to serve on the board of directors
of a high-profile organization. The people you'll meet will help
broaden your sphere of knowledge and influence and you'll
enhance your management skills at the same time.
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