The Impact of Volunteering on Young People’s Personal Development
For the past week, my Facebook Memories have been highlighting my old Team v campaign promoting healthy relationships back in February 2014. It was a transformative year, one for which I am immensely grateful to Vinspired for investing in me. Thanks to them, I am where I am today.
Volunteering has often been advocated for young people as a means to enhance their CVs. While some criticize this as instrumentalizing good deeds meant to be done out of generosity, my own volunteering experience shows a middle ground. I advise against volunteering solely to boost your CV; it requires passion and a heartfelt drive. Yet, it was a significant part of my personal development, and I believe it should become a norm from a young age.
Volunteering Fosters Healthy Self-Esteem
Some argue that working for free equates to undervaluing oneself. However, volunteering is akin to turning a monetary donation into a donation of time, which has intrinsic value. For young people, it provides a platform to develop skills in a low-pressure environment unlike a traditional job, allowing for trial and error. There’s more room for positive reinforcement since the focus is on doing good rather than doing well, thus reducing performance anxiety. My own experience with a supportive supervisor who celebrated my achievements helped mitigate my perfectionist tendencies. Such affirmations remain a source of encouragement.
Preparing for a New Business Landscape
While “The Wolf of Wall Street” captivated audiences, 2016 reminded us of the lingering effects of the 2008 economic crash. Economists now advocate for systemic reshaping, and young professionals entering the workforce will do so in an era where Conscious Capitalism is gaining traction. Early volunteering exposes young people to diverse business stakeholders, shaping their future decision-making.
Creating a Level Playing Field
Though meritocracy is an ideal, reality often complicates it. Not every child reaches their potential, which limits the candidate pool for opportunities. Research by Lambeth Council into low attainment rates among white working-class pupils shows that schools with strong community ties and aspirational cultures stand out. Community, often centered around religious institutions, emerges as a strength. Community involvement, a form of volunteering, allows young people to interact across ages in settings beyond school, learning vital skills and fostering a can-do attitude. Young volunteers become role models, ensuring positive change for future generations.
These examples highlight how volunteering benefits young people. I would love to hear about your experiences or those of young people you know. Discover the wonders of volunteering and how it can change lives.