Why Millennials Should Volunteer More?

“It’s easy to make a buck. It’s a lot tougher to make a difference.” — Tom Brokaw.

While it might seem that the Gen-X is only running after a better life and to attain a more financially stable life, rather than being compassionate & humble — it’s not really the case! In this 21st Century, volunteering has emerged as a vital concept and the millennials, who are often accused of being an apathetic generation, are more committed to volunteering than were young Americans a generation ago.

According to recent research carried out by the University of Chicago, 3 out of 10 (29%) Americans under the age of 30 agreed that citizens have a “very important obligation” to volunteer — a significant increase from the 19% who said the same thing in a 1984 survey.

However, it has also been observed that there lingers a sense of confusion when it comes to volunteering. Often, millennials suffer from a dilemma, thinking whether they should opt to donate money or be actively involved in something — to make an impact. In other cases, a lack of encouragement & support from family or teachers, colleagues or friends, act as a demotivator and leads to backing out from a volunteer endeavor.

Are you a millennial, wondering ‘Why Should I Volunteer’ or looking for the reasons that would eventually convince you to step out of your comfort zone and do something for a better world? Well, to begin with, volunteering isn’t just good for your community, it can be good for you too. Here are some reasons every millennial must consider volunteering, at least once in a lifetime.

Feel good by making a difference.

“Be of service. Whether you make yourself available to a friend or co-worker, or you make time every month to do volunteer work, there is nothing that harvests more of a feeling of empowerment than being of service to someone in need.” — Gillian Anderson.

When we do something good for others, it makes us feel good about ourselves too. There can be no better feeling than knowing you are helping out in your community or the underprivileged ones and serving a purpose. When you see the change you can make in people’s lives or do something for the wellbeing of nature & animals, you’ll be motivated to do more good. Opt for a volunteering project that aligns with your interests — for example, if you love to be with kids, then volunteer at a childcare center. Find a program that you’re passionate about, and feel the goodness of making a difference. Whether you love animals or want to help build houses — whatever it is, you should discover something you genuinely care about.

Learn life lessons through experiences.

“What is the essence of life? To serve others and to do good.” — Aristotle.

In today’s date, everything is just a click away from us and it seems like we can have access to anything & everything — but that’s true for a certain group of people who are born to enjoy the privileges of the developed world. The reality, beyond the virtual world, is quite different. It’s only when you take a volunteer trip abroad, will you get to know that there is still a disconnect of truly understanding the hardships that some people face.

During a month-long trip to Kenya, where I was volunteering with abandoned kids, I came to know a lot more about life which no textbooks could have ever taught me. Being able to immerse yourself in different cultures and witness the adversities that people face, due to lack of the basic amenities of life, will give you a new perspective to look at life and turn you into a more compassionate human being.

Boost your career by gaining first-hand work experience.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill.

In spite of being an act of philanthropy, volunteering can surely be considered as a double-sided coin, where the giver & the receiver are benefitted simultaneously. While the receiver gets directly impacted, as a giver, the volunteer also gains experience that can help in staying ahead of their peers. Many millennials are stuck in a place where they have the education but not the experience level to get the job they desire. Volunteering is a great way to pursue your passion, enhance your skill sets, learn to work as a team and develop leadership qualities. Employers like to see that you’re involved in some sort of meaningful work and using your education for a cause. This is also a great way to transition into a new career. If you are interested in a new field, seek out places where you can volunteer in that area and it’s a great way to practice those skills and leverage social connections for your job seeking.

Enhances relationships & connections.

“Three keys to more abundant living: caring about others, daring for others, sharing with others.” — William Arthur Ward.

Once you embark on a volunteering journey, you’ll meet several like-minded people, who have also set out for a similar voyage like that of yours. Irrespective of which part of the world you belong to, what your cultural differences are, what language you speak etc., you’ll get to create a bond of love & trust. You’ll all get to work together for a common cause, find out solutions to problems, and explore new avenues. These are also people who can provide references for you and may even have connections that can help you in your career.

Create an impact in society.

“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.” — Muhammad Ali.

Last, but not the least, volunteering is the virtuous path of making an impact in society. When you choose to set out for a volunteer trip abroad, no matter how small your steps might seem, you have the ability to make life a tad bit easier for someone in a faraway land and spread happiness. In a world where selfish motives and ruthless competition is taking over, step aside and do something for others. Who knows — you might just end up inspiring a few other humble souls like that of yours!

Several organizations across the world are coming up with meaningful volunteering programs and opportunities that help those who are in need of a little care and support. You don’t really need to spend 15 hours every week or hundreds of dollars donating to charity to enact change. Just giving what you can, even if that is just a week’s time, can matter to someone and that is the most important thing you can do.