Spotting the right route

Which volunteering?

 

Describes the value of volunteering and different ways of finding volunteering opportunities – looking locally, nationally and internationally.

Voluntary work is any type of work undertaken for no payment, usually outside of your course and in your spare time.

There are many opportunities for volunteering in the voluntary sector – with voluntary organisations and community groups – as well as with some local authorities. Voluntary work is big business.

Getting experience

It has been written so many times that experience is what you need to get that environmental job. But how do you get it? Volunteer.

Contact your local environmental voluntary and community organisation to see what opportunities they have.

If you don’t mind going away from home you could go on a working holiday or work camp. These are work parties organised by some of the larger of the environmental organisations. You may have to pay a small fee for your simple accommodation, but you will get to meet lots of similar people, get some good experience for when you apply for a job and do some good for the environment.

Value for volunteer

Gives working experience- especially the voluntary sector and the natural environment.

Can be an extended interview - when suitable jobs arise in the organisation.

Helps future job interviews - especially developing confidence, and showing commitment, motivation and initiative.

Develops contacts and networking - especially for future job-hunting.

Introduces different working practices and cultures – especially if you can experience the organisational cultures of different employment sectors.

Develops transferable skills - especially time management, negotiation, teamwork and communication. Most employers and all volunteers agree.

Can provide additional training - especially in organisations who are experienced in managing and supporting volunteers. Volunteering with an organisation like BTCV, which works to nationally recognised standards, may provide you with evidence towards receiving a vocational qualification.

Can be sociable, fun and helpful – especially after leaving sociable university life, and when you want to help other people and the environment.

Value for employer

Shows their commitment to corporate social responsibility and employee volunteering, especially for large businesses. Increasingly they are encouraging their employees to volunteer with local voluntary and community organisations. This encourages local economic growth, as well as develops and motivates employees. Business-in-the-Community has a new CARE programme that encourages this employee volunteering.

• Can be used as an extended interview, especially as it is cheaper and more revealing.
• Can be flexible, low-cost and short-term.
• Is often used for special events or busy periods when lots of staff and volunteers are needed.

Environmental Volunteering

This PDF describes the range of volunteering opportunities for environmental experience, including work camps and gap years.

There are sections on:

• Student volunteering
• UK environmental volunteering
• General volunteering
• International environmental volunteering
• International volunteering