Use volunteer opportunities to get the experience you need to secure a paid internship or entry-level job

On today’s episode of the From Dorms to Desks Podcast, our cohosts discuss how volunteering doesn’t pay the bills, but volunteering can lead to well-paying jobs that do pay the bills. Are you struggling to get hired even for an internship because you don’t have experience? Volunteering for a non-profit or small business can get you the experience that you need to launch yourself into your dream role.

• Internship Scarcity: Our cohosts highlight some of the common complaints from students facing difficulties in finding internships, such as limited hiring, being overqualified or underqualified, and the classic catch-22 of needing experience to gain experience.
• Volunteering as a Solution: The core message is to consider unpaid internships and, more importantly, volunteering as stepping stones toward paid internships and eventually, entry-level jobs.
• Targeted Volunteering: We suggest aligning volunteer work with your major to gain relevant experience. For example, an accounting major could volunteer to manage the books of a non-profit or small business.
• Investment in the Future: Frame volunteering as an investment in oneself. Dedicating a few hours per week can make you a more competitive candidate for internships and jobs.
• Call to Action: The show concludes by presenting students with a choice: actively volunteer to gain experience or passively apply to numerous job openings with limited success.

By embracing volunteering as a strategic step, students can acquire valuable experience, enhance their resumes, and increase their chances of securing desired internships and jobs.