It’s the New Year 2020! And it’s going to be a great one. You are making plans and resolutions for the year ahead!
Making resolutions is not easy and you never know how big or far-fetched you want to make them:
Should they have to do only with you? Are others involved? Do they require you to make an impact in the world or only affect yourself only? Will they take up a lot of your time and energy?
These are all great questions you should be asking that will help you decide.
One resolution that should definitely be on your list is volunteering. Volunteering usually means helping others but actually, you will be helping yourself, learning, and gaining a new kind of experience.
What are the other personal and professional advantages of volunteering?
- Giving back to a community, organization or group that has impacted your life.
- Making a difference for someone else, especially a cause that is not close to you, emotionally or physically, is such a great act of selflessness. Consider doing this when you jot down ‘resolutions’.
- Helping others with life circumstances different or less fortunate than yours. Any help or support from you would be appreciated in ways you cannot even imagine.
- When you volunteer you are never alone. You can be part of a team working for a single cause with a common goal in mind. This brings you closer and you are now part of a team of colleagues and even friends.
- Volunteering overseas, allows you to spend quality time away from work, your busy lifestyle, and your routine. It is a break from almost everything you know and allows you to shift focus to something bigger and maybe even it allows you to be who you want to be not what people expect you to be.
- Stepping out of your comfort zone is not always a boost to your self-esteem. However, after the initial confrontation with the new situation, accomplishing your goals will make your self-esteem and perspective of self-worth skyrocket. On a professional level, you will gain new skills and experience. And on a personal level? You will know your self-worth, be appreciated for who you are and what you did when volunteering – that can never be taken away from you.
- When hiring managers look for job candidates one of the things they look for is altruism – if you show you gave to others without expecting anything in return… think what that says about you.
- On a social level, when volunteering, you will socialize and get to know the new surroundings you are in – whether in an organization or in the community. Where else will you be able to meet people with different backgrounds and cultures? Use this as a learning experience.
Now that you put ‘volunteering’ on your list your best bet will be in Israel as a Masa Israel Teaching Fellow with Israel Experience. You will live in a new country, experience a new culture, volunteer your time to a meaningful cause, and get to know others with the same vision as you!
