Join/Renew
For National Volunteer Month last year, I wrote a piece titled “Getting Involved as a Little Fish in a Large Pond.” That piece focused on taking the first step. This year, I want to go a bit deeper and share why service is not just something we do; it is one of the most powerful professional development tools available to us.
Service has become one of the most impactful ways I’ve grown in my career. It shapes how I mentor students, how I approach leadership, and how I think about building skills. One message I consistently share is simple: Do not wait to create. Do not wait for a job, title, or formal opportunity to give you experience. You already have the agency to build it yourself. Volunteerism is one of the most accessible and effective ways to do just that.
Creating Your Own Opportunities
I often hear from students that they’re hesitant to apply for a role because they lack a certain number of years of experience. My response is always the same: What can you do right now to gain that experience?
If a part-time job or internship is not available, there are still countless ways to grow:
- Want budget experience? Serve as a treasurer for a local organization or community group.
- Want to strengthen your writing? Contribute to a newsletter, blog, or communications team.
- Want to build public speaking skills? Lead events, facilitate workshops, or present to groups.
These opportunities do not disappear once we become full-time professionals. In fact, they may be even more important as we look to grow, pivot, or lead in new ways.
Through my involvement with NACE, I have experienced these benefits firsthand. Serving in volunteer roles allowed me to develop skills that were not part of my formal academic background.
As a co-lead for the People of Color affinity group, I’ve collaborated with professionals across different institutions, helped create inclusive spaces, and contributed to meaningful conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through contributing to the NACE Journal, I gained my first professional publication experience alongside my mentor Samara Reynolds, who gave me the courage to write and submit an article for a national audience. Serving on awards and recognition committees helped me better understand evaluation processes, rubrics, and governance.
None of these opportunities came from a job description. They came from saying yes to service.
And perhaps most importantly, they came in a lower-risk environment. It is a space where I could learn, grow, and build confidence while contributing to something bigger than myself.
Service as a Strategy for Growth
I challenge you to think about where you want to be in the next two to three years. What skills are required? What experiences would help you grow into that next role?
Now ask yourself: Where can I begin building those skills today through service?
Volunteering allows you to:
- Practice leadership before you have the title;
- Build new competencies in real-world settings;
- Expand your professional network organically; and
- Grow confidence through meaningful contribution
It is not “free work.” It is intentional development through service to others.
Tips to Make the Most of Your Volunteer Experience
If you’re considering getting more involved, here are a few simple and actionable tips:
- Connect with a mentor. Find someone in your volunteer space who will challenge and support you. The right mentor can push you outside your comfort zone and help you see opportunities you may not have considered.
- Set clear goals. Be intentional. Identify what skills you want to build and define what success looks like. Treat your volunteer role with the same level of purpose as a paid position.
- Stay connected to the mission. Beyond skill-building, remember why the work matters. When you connect your efforts to a larger purpose, you stay motivated and grounded in impact.
- Start before you feel ready. You do not need to have everything figured out. Growth happens through doing. Take the first step and trust that you will learn along the way.
Building Community Through Service
Although I have not yet attended a NACE conference in person, I have built meaningful connections through volunteerism. Service has allowed me to engage with colleagues, contribute to shared goals, and feel part of a vibrant professional community.
As we recognize National Volunteer Month, I encourage you to reflect on how you can use service not only to give back, but to grow forward because in the end, service is not just about what you offer others. It is also about who you become in the process.
