How Volunteering Can Boost Your Career and Open Global Opportunities

How Volunteering Can Boost Your Career and Open Global Opportunities. 

Volunteering is often seen as an act of kindness, but did you know it can also be a powerful tool for career growth? Whether you’re a student, job seeker, or professional looking to expand your opportunities, volunteering can give you a competitive edge in today’s job market.

In this article, we’ll explore how volunteering can help you gain skills, build connections, and unlock global opportunities—from scholarships to high-paying jobs.

1. How Volunteering Boosts Your Career

Many top organizations, universities, and recruiters prefer candidates with volunteer experience because it shows initiative, leadership, and a commitment to making an impact. Here’s how it benefits your career:

✅ Gain Hands-on Experience

Volunteering allows you to develop real-world skills that are valued by employers.

You get practical experience in areas like project management, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.

If you lack formal work experience, volunteering can fill the gap on your resume.

✅ Build a Strong Network

Many NGOs have partnerships with global organizations, companies, and government bodies.

Volunteering helps you meet influential professionals who can refer you for jobs, scholarships, and internships.

A strong network can lead to exclusive career opportunities.

✅ Enhance Your Resume & Stand Out

Employers and scholarship committees look for candidates who have made a difference.

Having volunteer work on your CV makes you more attractive to recruiters.

It proves your leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities.

✅ Increase Your Chances for Scholarships

Many universities prioritize applicants who have community service experience.

Some scholarships are exclusively for students with a history of volunteering.

Volunteering demonstrates your commitment to making an impact, a key factor for fully funded scholarships.

✅ Develop Leadership and Soft Skills

Volunteering teaches you to manage projects, coordinate teams, and make decisions.

It strengthens interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and adaptability—essential qualities for career success.

2. Global Opportunities You Can Unlock Through Volunteering

If you’re strategic about it, volunteering can open doors to international travel, high-paying jobs, and prestigious scholarships. Here are some key opportunities you can access:

🎓 Fully Funded Scholarships

Many scholarship programs prefer applicants who demonstrate leadership and social impact. Some examples include:

Chevening Scholarship (UK) – https://www.chevening.org/

Erasmus Mundus Scholarships (Europe) – https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/scholarships_en

Commonwealth Scholarships – https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/

Fulbright Program (USA) – https://foreign.fulbrightonline.org/

By having volunteer experience, you significantly increase your chances of securing these scholarships.

🌎 International Internships & Fellowships

Top organizations and government bodies offer funded fellowships for professionals with a background in volunteering. Some examples:

United Nations Internship Program – https://careers.un.org/

World Bank Young Professionals Program – https://www.worldbank.org/en/about/careers/programs-and-internships

Obama Foundation Fellowship – https://www.obama.org/fellowship/

YALI Fellowship (Young African Leaders Initiative) – https://yali.state.gov/mwf/

Many of these programs prioritize candidates with volunteer and leadership experience.

💼 NGO & Non-Profit Jobs

If you’re interested in working in international development, many NGOs hire from their volunteer pool. Organizations such as:

United Nations Volunteers (UNV) – https://www.unv.org/

Oxfam International – https://www.oxfam.org/en/take-action/volunteer

World Health Organization (WHO) – https://www.who.int/careers/volunteer

Red Cross & Red Crescent – https://www.ifrc.org/volunteer

Many full-time employees at these organizations started as volunteers before transitioning into paid roles.

3. Real-Life Success Stories: How Volunteering Transformed Careers

🔹 Case Study 1: From Volunteer to UN Staff Member

Sarah, a young graduate, started volunteering for an NGO that worked with refugees. She gained experience in humanitarian aid and applied for the UN Volunteers Program. After completing a short-term mission, she was offered a permanent role with the UN and is now working globally.

🔹 Case Study 2: Winning a Fully Funded Scholarship

Michael had no work experience but was actively involved in environmental volunteering. He applied for the Chevening Scholarship, highlighting his contributions to climate change projects. His volunteer work helped him stand out, and he won a fully funded Master’s degree in the UK.

🔹 Case Study 3: Securing a Job in an International NGO

Solomon volunteered as a social media manager for a local NGO. After a few months, he was referred for a remote job at an international human rights organization, where he now earns in dollars.

4. How to Maximize Your Volunteer Experience

To make the most of volunteering and turn it into career opportunities, follow these steps:

✅ Pick the Right Volunteer Role

Choose an opportunity related to your career goals (e.g., teaching, healthcare, marketing, or advocacy).

Look for roles that allow you to develop professional skills.

✅ Document Your Work & Achievements

Keep records of your impact:

How many people did you help?

What projects did you work on?

Did you start any new initiatives?

Use these achievements in your resume, scholarship essays, and job applications.

✅ Ask for Recommendation Letters

If you do great work, request a reference letter from the NGO leader.

These letters are valuable for job and scholarship applications.

✅ Network & Stay Connected

Build relationships with professionals in the NGO.

Stay in touch through LinkedIn and WhatsApp.

Many job offers come through networking.

5. Best Websites to Find Volunteering Opportunities. 

Here are the top websites where you can apply for global volunteering opportunities:

🔹 United Nations Volunteers (UNV) – https://www.unv.org/

🔹 Idealist – https://www.idealist.org/en/

🔹 VolunteerMatch – https://www.volunteermatch.org/

🔹 Catchafire (Skill-Based Volunteering) – https://www.catchafire.org/

🔹 Workaway (Travel & Volunteering) – https://www.workaway.info/

🔹 Engage. Point of Light – https://engage.pointsoflight.org/

If you’re looking for remote or online volunteer roles, check:

🔹 Translators Without Borders – https://translatorswithoutborders.org/volunteer/

🔹 Crisis Text Line (Mental Health Volunteering) – https://www.crisistextline.org/volunteer/

Final Thoughts: Start Volunteering Today!

Volunteering is one of the fastest ways to grow your career, gain international experience, and access global opportunities. Whether you’re looking for a job, scholarship, or professional network, volunteering can be the key to your success.

Take action today!

🔹 Choose a volunteering platform that matches your interests.

🔹 Apply and start gaining hands-on experience.

🔹 Build your portfolio and use it to secure bigger opportunities.

Which of these opportunities excites you the most? Let me know in the comments! 🚀