If you had a friend who was thinking of volunteering for the first time, what's the number one tip you would provide them with?   Do something that makes you scared, but not so much that would put yourself in harm/danger.  Don't sell yourself out. you have something valuable to offer as well, even if you might not think it. Be open minded.   Sorry, that's not 'one' is it. sorry. ... View more

What benefits does volunteering provide you with? How does it benefit others?    A chance to step out of your own head.   An opportunity for you to give yourself a chance - to turn a "can't" to a "sometimes can (with some patience)".  ... View more

How has volunteering made you feel or how do you think it would make you feel?   Someone catches you unaware with a hug to thank you is awesome. ... View more

I would highly recommend volunteering to everyone. It's great that Australia has such a strong culture for it, not every country has it. But just as you can get 'helper's high', you can get a bit burnt out or frustrated if you aren't learning new things, or trying new things in your volunteering. I guess choose volunteering gigs like you would choose jobs or internships. Ones that has a clear application process, posts gigs up like job ads are good indicators that they are clear what they want from you, and what they can offer you in return. And treat the applying process like you would if you were applying for a paid job (i.e. research the organisation etc) So it's a win-win for everyone :) That's just my humble two-cents. ... View more

My past experience with volunteering has been a bit of a mixed bag because more often I am assigned as manual labour (contrary to what was advertised) or that the hiring organisation was not as invested as I was in their event/project. IN some instances I felt the organisation was more interested in getting the work/manual labour out of me than making this project a committed joint effort.    I don't want to sound unkind or ungrateful or a generally horrible in any way. I volunteer because I want to gain work experience, gain new friends within the industry that I want to work. But most of all I volunteer because I think I have something to offer to help others.    Alot of ppl have recommended volunteering if to make new friends. I think this is only really possible when you are actually involved in a long term volunteering program, as suppose to an event gig which are more seasonal and short term. You make acquaintances but not so much friends or work contacts.  ... View more

Have you done volunteer work? What type? Do any of your friends volunteer?   Like @dreamcatcher I have done more volunteering, unpaid gigs than paid work. I have volunteered at event volunteer for state government funded, profiled Festivals (children, arts & cultural) customer service guide for state government institutions charity events (i.e. massive book sales) I think I'm the only one who volunteers this much (if at all) out of my social group.    I have learnt some new skills, and came into contact with a wider cross section of people than I would otherwise from studying etc. But in all honesty, my volunteering experience has been a mixed bag. I have had felt the volunteering experience had been very one-sided.    That said, I believe the best volunteering experiences are ones that are treated like proper jobs by both the hirer and the applicant (even if there's no pay). Everyone is truly engaged in helping each other and both has something (skill, resouce) to put on the table to make the experience fruitful.  ... View more