Contributed by Lim Yi Shan, Journalist @ WSC Publicity & Publications
Employers say an eye-catching resume no longer includes just stellar academic results, valuable working experiences, and one’s most attractive works published, but also his or her volunteer work experiences. As a result, fresh graduates scrambled to enroll themselves in multiple volunteering activities to stand out. At the end of the day, these self-proclaimed “active” volunteers desperately search for the meaning in what they do, but to no avail. Hence, here comes the burning question — what does it take to be a fulfilling volunteer?
Let us break it down for you.
- Do everything with a purpose.
Volunteering should never be a result of peer pressure. It should not be solely for building credentials. During my freshman year, I recall signing up to be part of the WSC community, as a student journalist, without hesitation. Writing has always been my most comfortable form of expression, and I wanted to do great things within my comfort level. Through writing for WSC’s annual StandOUT newsletter, I can ignite a spirit of volunteerism amongst the student population and empower myself to stay committed to what I do. Choosing to be a volunteer also means to want to make a difference in others’ lives, and this conviction has to come from within.
- Be aware of the difference you have made to the beneficiaries.
The outcome of one’s volunteering efforts does not necessarily have to be quantifiable. Once, I volunteered at a daycare centre at Jurong West and was given the opportunity to interact with a group of seniors. Some faced difficulty carrying out simple daily tasks and I walked each of them to the restroom, served them food, and even fed them. At the end of the day, the seniors expressed their gratitude to me while struggling to verbalise their appreciation. While they held my hand, it dawned upon me the difference I’ve made — my company provided a much-needed “getaway” from their existing woes and worries though it was short-lived.
- Don’t just stop after listening, but act on it.
We would have chanced upon individuals who share their struggles and “cries” for help, at least once in our lives. But how many did something after listening? Well, volunteers do not just stop at being good listening ears, they think deeply and finally, act — advocate for a social cause or commit to checking on those in need regularly on their own accord. Well, actions speak louder than words, and we strongly believe that however small these actions are, they will go a long way.
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