Help yourself while helping others over summer

(Caption: Volunteer Sydney Curtis speaking out for Legasea)

Over your university summer break you’ll be getting plenty of opportunities to relax and revitalise – and build up new skills and experiences. Many uni students grab summer holiday jobs to get cash together for the following year and also gain workplace experience and increase employability skills. Here is another way to help yourself prepare for eventual employment - volunteering! No money, but lots of great experiences!

Sydney Curtis, who started volunteering through the AUT Edge Award, says volunteering helps improve her communication skills – and makes her feel good.

“I’ve struggled in the past with getting out of my comfort zone and meeting new people but volunteering has pushed me to do things by myself and become more confident in myself and my abilities,” declares Sydney, an AUT student who has been volunteering over summer as well as working part time as a bar manager and doing a summer school paper.

“I was able to help with the AUT Living Labs at Orakei planting ferns (above middle) before summer school started. I helped at the Howick Christmas parade and did one shift with Sunday Blessings to help with their big Christmas dinner. I also helped Legasea outreach over the Christmas period.”

A big moment was having to do a small public speaking role for Legasea, a volunteer organisation that promotes awareness of recreational fishing.
“I usually hate to do but I did it and it really helped me start to overcome my shyness.”

Now a familiar face at the Living Labs site and at Legasea, Sydney feels she has gained enormously from volunteering, which is why she was keen to continue over the summer period.

For Kala Narreddy (below), the lasting memory from his first summer in Auckland is not jumping into the ocean, going to a festival or sitting in an office.

What is strongly etched on his mind is the joy he saw on children’s faces when he volunteered at Funfest, a free family event where he helped children with disabilities go on rides and enjoy the day.

“I was fortunate to be part of that,” says Kala who began volunteering in Auckland as part of the Beyond AUT Award for organisations such as 36th American Cup City Skippers group, Unit Leader at NZ Girl Guiding, and Biz Tech Labs.

“Volunteering has been a great way to understand the NZ community and culture better. Through volunteering I’m also building up great networks and friends. And I’ve also got a lot of pleasure out of it too.”

Kala has now gained his AUT Beyond Award but has continued to volunteer throughout summer with the 36th American Cup and NZ Conservation while looking for a full time job.

Here are 7 great reasons to volunteer - it ...

1. introduces you to new people and communities and encourages you to communicate with a diverse range of people
2. helps you build and expand networks that may open up job opportunities
3. provides opportunities to ‘test’ or observe roles, organisations or industries you are curious about working in.
4. opens up prospects to gain experience in areas you have theoretical knowledge
5. provides a safe place to practice your current skills and often gain new skills.
6. gives you a purpose in life at times when you may be feeling at sea, which then gives you more confidence
7. encourages you to be a kinder human being by helping others/supporting a cause

Want to know more?

Want to find out about volunteering opportunities through the AUT Edge Award or Beyond AUT Award? Email autedge@aut.ac.nz or drop into the Employability Lab WA202 to get more information.