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College Advisor Mom
by Mary Davis
As working mothers, you’ve got a lot on your plate. However, many of you still find time to volunteer in your community. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2011,women volunteered more than men across all demographics, and parents volunteered at a higher rate than those without children. (http://www.bls.gov/news.release/volun.nr0.htm) It’s apparent that improving the lives of others is important to you, and we wanted to know your reasons. That’s why in last month’s poll, we asked, “What best describes your thoughts on community involvement?” The majority of our respondents, 40%, said, “It’s satisfying to make a difference in the lives of others.” Coming in at 32% was the response that, “It’s important to give back to the community.” and close behind at 29% was, “It sets a good example for my child/children.” No matter what the reason you may have for volunteering, career counselors would advise you to keep it up. Community involvement is a fantastic resume builder. Employers will be impressed with your time management skills when they see you were able to juggle school, family and volunteer work. Through volunteering, you will have the opportunity to work with others of various backgrounds. The ability to work well on a team is a highly sought after characteristic by hiring professionals. In addition, many companies encourage their employees to volunteer their time. You’ll stand out to these employers if you already have a proven record of giving to others. Community involvement also offers an opportunity for networking. It’s possible to coordinate your volunteer work with your field of study. For example, an education major can sign up to tutor at a local school. While someone studying health administration may wish to spend time working with residents at a nursing home. No matter how you give of your time, it’s likely that the people you work with will be willing to write a letter of recommendation for you down the line. They may even be able to connect you with hiring personnel in their network. Volunteering also offers a chance for self-improvement and exploration. If you’re naturally shy, getting out there and working with others will help you to enhance your social skills. Not sure about your choice of major? There’s really no better way to find out if you’re meant for a certain field than by trying it out. Volunteerism lets you explore without committing to a major, while helping others and gaining so much in return. Finally, if you’ve been at stay-at-home mom for some time or have sporadic work experience, volunteering can give you something concrete to add to your resume beyond your coursework. Employers are proven to be more willing to hire those with practical experience over students without real-world knowledge. Check with your school. It’s possible that your academic department, career center or alumni association may even have a coordinated volunteer program available to help match you with service opportunities. The benefits of helping others are many. One word of advice I’d have would be to be careful to balance your volunteer efforts with your course load. Try to add volunteering to a semester when you’re not taking full-time credits. You’ll be a happier mom and better student when you keep your obligations as balanced as possible.
