As everyone prepares to enter the summer months, taking advantage of the warmer days and an increased number of daylight hours is wise. While many people use their free time for rest and relaxation, volunteering during the summer could be a great option to consider. When you volunteer, you have a chance to do more than just give back to your community; you can also acquire or enhance your skills, making you a better-qualified architecture, engineering or construction candidate.

Making the Most of Volunteer Work This Summer

Volunteer work is usually rewarding in its own. However, if you genuinely want to make the most of the experience, a little planning and awareness can help. That way, you can make sure the volunteer position aligns with your personal and professional goals. Here are tips to find an opportunity that allows you to help yourself while helping others.

Reflect on Your Passions to Narrow Down the Options

Since you are not being paid when you work in a volunteer position, finding an opportunity that aligns with your passions is a must. This ensures that you will remain motivated while performing your duties. Plus, it serves as an additional intrinsic reward, making your efforts increasingly worthwhile.

When you reflect on your passions, consider two key points. First, determine what kind of organization you would like to help. Is there a particular cause you feel strongly about and would like to support?

Second, determine what kind of duties or tasks align with your preferences. Is your goal to use your current professional skills to benefit a nonprofit? Would you prefer to shift outside your comfort zone and try something new?

By reflecting on your passions, you can figure out what kind of volunteer position would provide you with the most benefits. This will simplify your search, giving you a clear direction of where you would like to volunteer. Plus, if you contact organizations directly for opportunities, you can pitch your ideas and express your passions clearly.

Consider How Volunteering Can Align with Your Professional Goals

Volunteering can be an excellent way to acquire skills that can help you advance your career. While some volunteer positions clearly align with the architecture, engineering and construction fields – like working with Habitat for Humanity – even those without an obvious connection can provide benefits. This is especially true when it comes to soft skills.

Related Article: When Should You Incorporate Details from Volunteer Experience into Your Resume?

If you volunteer to spearhead a project for a nonprofit, you can enhance your leadership and project management skills. Alternatively, assisting an organization with fundraising activities may give you a chance to improve your communication skills, particularly if you are responsible for contacting prospective donors. In nearly every case, you will get to spend some time using your teamwork skills, which can be beneficial to your career development.

Ultimately, volunteering can give you personal satisfaction and help you professionally. As long as you examine the available opportunities from all angles, you can ensure that you make the most of the experience.

Are You Looking for a New Architecture, Engineering or Construction Job?

If you are seeking the ideal architecture, engineering or construction role to advance your career this summer, the team at RealStreet can make finding your perfect position simpler than ever before. Contact us to speak with a member of our skilled recruitment team today to learn how we can help you find a better job quickly and efficiently.