International Volunteer Day (IVD) on 5 December was designated by the United Nations in 1985 as an international observance day to celebrate the power and potential of volunteerism. It is an opportunity for volunteers, and volunteer organisations, to raise awareness of, and gain understanding for, the contribution they make to their communities. But what benefits can you get from volunteering? How can it help you after you graduate?

1. Volunteering helps you to connect with others

In an increasingly global marketplace, communication and being able to relate to people from all walks of life is an essential skill, and one that employers value greatly. Volunteering not only helps you to improve communication, but also increases your social and relationship skills.

2. Volunteering is good for your mind and body

It can help to build self-confidence through experiencing new things and communicating with new people, as well as combating depression and signs of anxiety. Self-confidence in challenging situations is another transferable job skill that employers hold in high regard.

3. Volunteering can advance your career

It can provide you with career experience for job sectors that are notoriously hard to get into, as well as skills which you may not have been able to hone in a purely academic environment. This kind of experience is a fantastic advantage over other graduate candidates when applying for jobs after study, and can help to round you out as a person.

You’re not limited to volunteering just in the UK, there are opportunities all over the world to experience something new and to make a difference to a community. For more information, check out the European Youth Portal in the link below:

http://europa.eu/youth/EU/voluntary-activities/european-voluntary-service_en