- Home
- Networks
- Topics
- Blogs
- Co-op Blogs
- Arts and Social Sciences Co-op Blog
- Beedie School of Business Co-op Blog
- Biomedical Physiology & Kinesiology Co-op Blog
- Communication Co-op Blog
- Computing Science Co-op Blog
- Contemporary Arts Co-op Blog
- Engineering Co-op Blog
- Environment Co-op Blog
- Health Sciences Co-op Blog
- Interactive Arts & Technology Co-op Blog
- MSE Co-op Blog
- Science Co-op Blog
- Sustainable Energy Engineering Co-op Blog
- Communique
- ENGAGE
- Peer Education
- Co-op Blogs
- Galleries
- Learn
- Indigenous
- EAL/ESL
- iBelong
Why You Should Volunteer in Your First Year (Or Start NOW!)

Why You Should Volunteer in Your First Year (Or Start NOW!)
By: Kim Huynh
When I was a high school freshman, I (for whatever reason) did not see why I should get involved with my school and greater community through clubs and volunteering. It wasn’t until the eleventh grade in which I started to volunteer for the City of Surrey and joined my school’s Make-A-Wish club that I realized that I was missing out on a lot.
That being said, coming into university, I made a promise to myself that I would get involved as soon as possible and as much as I could in my first year. Now, perhaps some of you are just like how I was as a high school freshman. You may not see what the point of getting involved and volunteering your valuable “study” time is. However, here are 3 very cliché (but very true) reasons why you should get involved A.S.A.P.
1. You get to meet a lot of new people (and friends!)
When you volunteer, you meet a lot of people that you otherwise would not have met. You meet people through volunteer orientations, training sessions as well as through the volunteer role itself. This is particularly beneficial to first-year students who are looking for ways to make new friends, but are unsure how to get started. In addition, volunteering is a great way to network with people because you are able to work with those that have higher positions within the organization of wherever you are volunteering.
2. You get to build your resume
Of course, one of the major motivators is that volunteering helps add to your resume. Volunteering not only will help you add experience to your resume, but you will also be able to acquire new skills and showcase them on your resume. In addition, you may be able to list a volunteer coordinator, trainer or fellow volunteer as a professional and/or personal reference.
3. You’ll feel great
Super cliché, but often times, volunteering is extremely fun – especially if you are volunteering with (new) friends. Many volunteer roles require you to work with others or with the public, so you will be socializing the whole time. In addition to the fun that you will be having, you’ll also feel great knowing that you have donated your time to a good cause or have helped put an event together all on your own time! It definitely is the best reason to volunteer and it is very rewarding.
If you are not sure how to get started volunteering, check out local organizations (such as the BCSPCA or your local recreation centres) for some more information or go to https://www.sfu.ca/volunteer.html and opt into the volunteer e-newsletter where you will be notified of volunteer opportunities in and out of SFU.
Posted on March 10, 2014
Submitted by volunteer on Mon, 2014-03-10 14:37 by volunteer
- volunteer's blog
- Login to post comments
- 5469 reads
RELATED TOPICS
|
|
|
|
|
|
SEARCH THE OLC
Login
OUR TWEETS
Today's Top
![]() |
Top Tip Lists Defogging the Future: 10 Anxiety-Lowering and Empowering Resources for the “Lost” Student [10] |
![]() |
Communication, Art and Technology Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirited: What You Should Know [9] |
![]() |
Life Balance How to Use Meditation and Mindfulness to Live Your Best Life [9] |
![]() |
Marketing 5 Things I Learned About Myself During My Work Term [8] |
![]() |
Co-operative Education Top 10 LinkedIn Tips for Your Job Search [7] |
Interviews 10 Tips on Answering Interview Questions Effectively [17] |
|
Workplace Transition Top Ten: Best Ways to Make a GREAT Impression [5] |
|
Work Search 4 Tips on Showing Projects During Interviews [4] |
|
Life Experience Co-op Poland: Evan's International Adventure of Self Exploration [4] |
|
Workplace Transition Sidestepping The Plan: My Co-op Reflection [4] |
[Blog] Life Experience Just Like Bunko: It's Not About You [1] |
|
[Story] Interviews Preparation = Successful Interview! [1] |
|
[Story] Interviews Acing Phone Interviews [1] |
|
[Story] Career Exploration We Are All Canucks: Dreams Come True [1] |
|
[Story] Interviews The Dirty Dozen Interview Questions (Part I) [1] |
7 seconds
From Forbes Magazine.
You have 7 seconds to make a first impression:
...
You're Welcome!
Just wanted to say a big "you're welcome!"
I think though, that we also owe you a big thank-you for all of your fantastic...
There but for the grace of
There but for the grace of God go I, reoccurs for me in periodically and I smile warmly and am grateful.
Thank you for your...
Uhoh, now you've sent us down
Uhoh, now you've sent us down a black hole of Youtube Conan clips......
Our failures define us
Conan's quote is incredibly profound..but not quite as profound as his "String Dance."