Have you considered volunteerism as an alternate option for professional development or gaining needed experience with a specific skill or competency? One advantage of a non-classroom learning experience is the possibility of custom designing the activity to meet your individual professional need. 

For your volunteering experience to be successful, you must give careful thought to the why, what, where, and how of your involvement. 

Leverage a volunteering as a learning experience 

Become more aware of the importance of volunteering as an opportunity to develop new skills by asking such questions as: 

• What are my goals in accepting a volunteer assignment?

• How will volunteering help me reach my career objective?

• What expectations do I have for a volunteer assignment?

• What expectations will people have of me while I am volunteering?

• What benchmarks do I establish to measure volunteer work achievements?

• How much time and energy can I realistically give to volunteering? 

When establishing a volunteer assignment, take control of the work tasks either by offering to undertake an available position that meets your specific professional goals or by proposing an innovative project that can benefit you and the organization. You gain the most from your volunteer efforts if you identify specific areas of expertise, skills, competencies, or knowledge bases that need your attention. 

If you are considering a professional shift or career move, understand how a volunteer experience can best help you through the transition process. Prior to accepting an assignment, manage your volunteerism by determining the specific learning that you would like to gain and can realistically achieve through this type of activity. 

Develop a volunteer work-learning contract 

Writing out your goals and objectives as a tangible document helps you commit to your learning needs. You can create a contract that is explicit and concrete—a self-directed agreement that spells out the plans you have for the experience. The contract should include such factors as: 

• summary stating the general project or activity, and its mission and purpose

• job description, including boundaries, conditions, time commitments, and outcomes

• position/role objectives, describing learning goals reflected in skills, knowledge, and competencies to be acquired

• position/role’s activities, identifying tasks, responsibilities, and where and how learning will take place

• evaluation and performance methods, detailing benchmarks and procedures for self-review

• your signature, showing affirmation of your commitment

• witness’s signature (optional), for example, a professional colleague, friend, or coach. 

Evaluate your volunteer experience 

At the mid-way point and end of the assignment, informally review any progress you have made toward accomplishing your learning objectives and meeting your expectations by asking yourself: 

• How do I feel I am doing in the assignment?

• Do I still want to acquire this learning?

• Do I want to add another learning objective?

• Does the contract need to be amended to reflect changes in my thinking?

• If so, can it be revised and do I need to involve someone from the volunteer worksite? 

Whether your volunteerism takes place through your local ASTD Chapter, other professional organizations, your workplace, a community service organization, a volunteer group, or a not-for-profit agency, you should enjoy the experience and feel you are making a contribution—all while advancing along your career pathway.