(Cross-posted at BlogHer) 

You’ve been working awfully hard lately, so why not do something nice for yourself? Why not volunteer? Save a whale! Fight global warming! Mentor a child! We all know that volunteering is a wonderful and generous thing to do, but did you know that it can be an invaluable tool as you search for a way to find and live your life’s purpose?

First, the obvious. Volunteering is (contrary to the title of this post) a lovely and selfless thing to do. No matter what cause you choose, the people you work for and with will sincerely appreciate your efforts. Plus, it feels great to dedicate your time and energy to something greater than yourself. It can be a very spiritually uplifting experience. Years ago when I was struggling through the worst of my post-divorce depression, my mother advised me to volunteer. “It will take your mind off your troubles,” she told me. And she was exactly right. There’s nothing like working with hungry kids to put your problems in perspective.

Now, the not so obvious. Volunteering allows you to “try on” a career or passion and see if it fits for you. Thinking of becoming a teacher? Volunteer to tutor or mentor kids. You’ll have an opportunity to work with children in a classroom and see if it really lights your fire. Dying to become a vet? Volunteer at your local animal shelter. You might find out that removing a cancerous eyeball from a cow (true story from a friend who volunteered with a large animal vet) is simply not your cup of tea, thus allowing you to channel your love of animals in a different direction.

Volunteering can also give you an edge in a tight job market. Looking for a job at a cool nonprofit, on Capitol Hill, or in a completely different field than your current job? One of the best ways to get your foot in the proverbial door is to volunteer. Volunteering can fill in the gaps on a skimpy resume, make up for a weak GPA, and put you in daily contact with someone who could give you a paying job. Don’t think of it as working for free–think of it as a delayed paycheck. In my town (Washington DC), volunteering is pretty much a must for breaking into most nonprofit or political careers. There are simply too many people and too few jobs. Volunteering can set you apart from the crowd.

Don’t know where to start? Check out these great resources:
Craig’s List
Idealist
Volunteer Match
Network for Good
Servenet
Volunteer Solutions
USA Freedom Corps

Tags: Career, Purpose, Volunteering

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