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From gaining new skills to opening the door to job opportunities, volunteering is a win for all.

Volunteering is a great way for high school students to give back to the community, experience working in a certain field, and gain valuable new skills. It speaks to your character in a way that test scores cannot, and it will give your college applications a boost.

So, if you’re in high school and thinking about volunteering, read on to learn about how it’s beneficial, and why we recommend it.

Benefits of Volunteering 1. A way to give back As a student, you’re probably super busy. Between school work, clubs, sports, a job (if you have one), your days fill up quickly. But volunteering your time is selfless, and a generous way to get to know a new group of people with whom you’d otherwise not interact. From volunteering at a preschool to spending time with senior citizens, it can be deeply fulfilling, and it’s sure to make a profound difference to the community you’re spending time with.

2. Build new skills and relationships Volunteering is an opportunity to learn new skills that are foundational to any future career. You’ll sharpen your organizational skills, prioritization, time management, problem solving, and communication skills, to name a few. It’s also a great opportunity to network and build out a list of contacts whom you can reach out to in the future.

3. Resume/college application boost Volunteering can set you apart from other applicants and candidates. Doing something for which you aren’t paid shows selflessness, drive, ambition, and creativity: qualities that make you stand out. While many volunteering programs can even transfer into school credits, it’s also a great way to gain real-world work experience while you’re still in school.

4. Promotes open-mindedness Between working with a community of retirees to helping out at a zoo, volunteering opens yourself up to new experiences, and it can help you see the world differently. It keeps you grounded and fosters a sense of social awareness. New experiences can open the door to new passions, too. And who knows? Volunteering could lead you to find your future career.

Where to start Here are some great places to look into volunteering if you’re interested in taking the next step. • Sports lovers: volunteer to help with after-school fundraising activities for school sports teams, help coach younger kids in little league/other sports, assist with sports team management • Animal lovers: local animal shelter, help with dog adoption services, zoo/aquarium • Nature lovers: volunteer at your local farmer’s market and help with general set up/produce transfer, check out any local tree planting/greenery initiatives, volunteer at your local nature conservancy branch to help with garbage clean-up, trail clearing, river cleaning, habitat restoration, and more • “People” people: local hospitals, soup kitchens or food banks, retirement or nursing homes, reading at a local library, preschool or childcare centers

For any and all of these places, we recommend doing a quick search of the area that interests you and looking for a phone number or your town’s local programs. Ask if they’re looking for any volunteers...you’ll likely be welcomed to help with open arms.