The Volunteering short walk with Teaching Edge

At a not so luxury hotel in the hearty heights of the Lagos capital, Ogba, Ikeja, teachers march to the receptionist to inquire about where the Teaching Edge teacher training programme is holding.

I’d just had an argumentative moment over my transport balance with the tricycle driver that took me to the location. I walked in and did as most people had done, enquiring about the venue.

“Up there, business hall 2.” Said the smartly dressed man pointing up the stairs.

I met smile in person of Toluwalonimi Afolayan, very smart and respectful lady. That’s how my awesome teacher training experience began.

In a country where most teachers lack the basic skills and knowledge to prepare students/ pupils for the 21st-century world and beyond, the teaching edge programme bridges the gap by upskilling teachers for educational transformation. The initiative is supported by the Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative 2018, the U.S Consulate Lagos equips 5 innovative youths in Nigerians from different works of life.

Two weeks earlier, he asked, “Why Volunteer? You’ve got a wealth of professional experience in research, design thinking, and digital marketing. What else do you need to learn?” That’s my brother asking.

I laughed. Not because he asked but because he didn’t see the importance of volunteering. Hardly did he know that I left my full-time job solely because of family and giving back to society.

So for the benefits of readers like him, who knows not why volunteering is the real deal, here are four reasons you’d be volunteering right now.

But before that, follow these steps to get your dream job fast.

a. Get your direction:- Ditch what you study in school, find what exactly makes you happy and you’d like to do

b. Research 10 companies that do exactly what you’d like to do

c. Volunteer with any of them, and pick a real-life experience

That said, with respect to my walk with Teaching Edge, here are some reasons why I think it is great to volunteer.

Volunteering helps you;

1. Make an impact

Great way to put your civic responsibility into play. Volunteering strengthens you to support the cause you believe in and provides you with all the resources to build the world you want your unborn to live in.

The Teaching Edge team provided the needed support to drive the cause I love — they gave internet, resources and the platform. All I contributed was my skills which I effortlessly put in. 

What could be more interesting?

2. Create opportunities

I’ve heard people say that there’s no second chance for every first impression you create. Aside from the skills you’d garner when you volunteer, you also get the record of creating a positive impression.

I rounded up last year with an awesome gig. How did this come about? In our discourse, I told the lady how I’ve been volunteering and she felt how sweet that was. Boom! I got the deal.

I’m sure that my volunteering service influenced her decision.

3. Learn new skills

I stole a bit of Corel Draw shortcuts from one of the volunteers, the young guy in charge if graphics design. As he puts life into the pictures, I engaged him and asked some questions about shortcut keys. I learned from him.

Applicants with extra soft skills get an edge in job entry. This is because recruiters believe that volunteering comes with a lot of activities that requires skills like teamwork, leadership, problem solving and people skills, and the people who volunteer have this ready made skills.

4. Empower others

The teaching edge programme empowers teachers to become better teachers. The ripple effects will strengthen students to become better, then society too. Helping people break out of poverty, have nutritional food, have access to quality health and education are empowerment touch-points that cascade into multiple feats.

What other ways do you empower people?