Can anyone help me choose a volunteer program? I’m trying to get into the social service worker program and volunteer work is highly recommended. What fields would best contribute to the social service field that will take volunteers?
Hello,
I’m assuming you mean the field of social work? The good thing about social work is that the skills are transferable in a variety of social service settings. You don’t have to necessarily specialize. You can volunteer in aging (e.g. senior centers, nursing homes), children’s services, medical centers (e.g. hospitals,), places where people have developmental delays (e.g. Easter Seals), shelters (i.e. homeless, women and children, etc.), mother-child type services, and community organizing (e.g. The Boys and Girl’s clubs, Big Brother Big Sisters, etc.). There’s a wealth of volunteer opportunities when you want to help “those in need”. Hope this helps. You can look in the “blue pages” of the phone book (listed as government/human services) for some of these resources.
Be sure to get your Master’s Degree or do a double major since this field is known as being one of the lower paying jobs. Wish I had.
Also consider food banks and stores like Goodwill. You can find volunteer opportunities in Craigslist. Libraries may also have volunteer opportunities. What skills and talents would you bring?
Just decide what interests you and why and then present yourself to the service. Other volunteers will direct you to staff who will talk to you.
Conservation Volunteer Program…One good advantage of conservation volunteer projects is that they are often results-orientated so it’s far easier for you to identify – and measure – your impact. Conversely, your impact may not always be welcome.