How can high impact volunteering help you develop new skills and networks?

1 What is high impact volunteering?

High impact volunteering is a term that describes volunteering activities that aim to solve the most pressing problems in the world, such as poverty, health, education, or climate change. High impact volunteering is based on the principles of effective altruism, which is a philosophy that uses evidence and reason to find the most effective ways to do good. High impact volunteering is not about how much time or money you spend, but about how much impact you create with your resources.

2 How can high impact volunteering help you develop new skills?

One of the benefits of high impact volunteering is that it can help you develop new skills that are relevant and transferable to your career and life goals. For example, you can learn how to conduct research, analyze data, communicate effectively, work in a team, manage projects, or lead change. You can also learn about different topics, cultures, and perspectives that can broaden your horizons and enrich your knowledge. High impact volunteering can also help you demonstrate your skills to potential employers, clients, or partners, as you can showcase your achievements and contributions to meaningful causes.

3 How can high impact volunteering help you build new networks?

Another benefit of high impact volunteering is that it can help you build new networks that can support your personal and professional growth. You can meet and collaborate with like-minded people who share your values and passions, and who can offer you advice, feedback, or opportunities. You can also connect with experts, mentors, or influencers who can inspire you, teach you, or recommend you. You can also expand your reach and visibility by joining online communities, platforms, or events that are related to your volunteering interests and goals.

4 How to find high impact volunteering opportunities?

If you are interested in high impact volunteering, you may wonder how to find the best opportunities for you. There are several ways to do so, depending on your preferences, availability, and skills. One way is to use online platforms that match volunteers with high impact projects, such as Catchafire, Giving What We Can, or 80,000 Hours. Another way is to contact organizations that work on the causes that you care about, and ask them how you can help them with your skills and expertise. A third way is to create your own high impact project, based on your own ideas and research, and recruit other volunteers to join you.

5 How to choose high impact volunteering opportunities?

Once you have identified some high impact volunteering opportunities, you may want to select the ones that best suit you. Consider the problem the project addresses, the solution it proposes, how it aligns with your values, interests, and goals, and the role it offers. Ask yourself these questions to narrow down your options and choose those that are most likely to create positive change and provide you with valuable experiences and connections.

6 How to make the most of high impact volunteering?

When joining a high impact volunteering project, you can make the most of it by being proactive, flexible, collaborative, reflective and grateful. Being proactive involves taking initiative, asking questions, offering suggestions and seeking feedback. Flexibility means adapting to changing situations, learning from mistakes and embracing diversity. Collaboration entails communicating clearly, listening actively and respecting others. Reflection involves evaluating your progress, identifying your strengths and weaknesses and setting new goals. Lastly, being grateful includes appreciating the opportunity, acknowledging your achievements and thanking your supporters. By following these tips you can maximize your impact, skills and networks through high impact volunteering.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?