Hot Tip -- by NextSteps Staff

Are you frustrated that you can't get a job because you don't have the experience? And you can't get experience because you don't have a job? Do you feel trapped in a dead-end job because you aren't gaining any valuable skills?

STOP! You don't have to be a "skill-less" victim any more. Volunteer work can provide the solution to your job search woes.

In the past, volunteer work had an uninspiring reputation. It was seen as an opportunity to pass off jobs that no one else wanted to do. Today, volunteer work can be a valuable career-building experience. Volunteer work is an opportunity to obtain skills that you need, gain practical knowledge and most importantly provide you with a networking and reference list.

If you are looking for volunteer opportunities that are career-orientated, you may want to open the Yellow Pages and begin calling the companies in your desired field. When contacting those companies, explain that you are looking for opportunities to gain exposure and learn about that particular industry. Most companies are very receptive to such inquiries and welcome an additional set of hands.

Volunteer work can also be done for the pure pleasure of helping someone who would benefit from your time. It is wonderful way to meet people, make friends and do activities that you would not otherwise have the opportunity to do. But be careful. Ask yourself what you hope to accomplish by volunteering in the first place. You do not want to bore yourself or waste anyone's time - especially your own.

Where do you find these wonderful opportunities? Well, there are a number of places that are always looking for volunteers. The following are some places you can look:

The Volunteer Centre of Calgary or (403) 265 - 5633

The Calgary Winter Festival

Remember that volunteering is a two-way street. You are gaining valuable experience and the company or organization is gaining valuable labour. Do your best. It really is a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Top Ten Reasons we Volunteer

1. To help others.
2. To meet people.
3. To support a cause one believes in.
4. To give something back to the community.
5. To be involved in the community.
6. To gain or strengthen skills.
7. To network.
8. To develop potential job references and experience.
9. To bolster self esteem and self confidence.
10. To do something one enjoys!

Did You Know . . .

• Alberta has the highest rate of volunteerism in Canada, calculated at 39.6% compared to the other provinces.
• There are more than 700,000 volunteers in Alberta who contribute over 120 million hours annually.
• 7 out of every 10 Calgarians, over the age of 15, take part in some form of volunteer activity.
• Contrary to the belief that volunteers are all female, the ratio of volunteers today are 45% male to 55% female.
• 2 out of 3 volunteers are employed.
• The higher the level of education, the higher the volunteer activity. Only 14% of those with zero to eight years of education, compared to 45% of those with a university degree.
• The average Canadian volunteer contributes 3.7 hours per week or 191 hours a year. the average Albertan volunteer contributes 204 hours per year.
• Canadians contribute over 1 billion hours annually to voluntary organizations, the equivalent of 617,000 full time positions.

Sources: Multiculturalism and Citizenship Canada, Giving Freely: Volunteers in Canada, (Statistics Canada, 1989), the Coalition of National Voluntary Organizations; A Profile of the Canadian Volunteer (Statistics Canada, 1987), National Association of Volunteer Bureaus and The Volunteer Centre of Calgary.

Special thanks to the Volunteer Centre of Calgary for providing nextSteps with the above statistics.

• The Volunteer Centre of Calgary has devoted itself to the enhancement of volunteerism in our community since 1995.
• The number of volunteers interviewed at the Volunteer Centre of Calgary in 1997 was 1,603. Of those interviewed, 462 were youth.