Professionals like personal injury attorney Lauri J Goldstein recognize that there’s a lot more to a professional service than a career. In the never-ending battle to find a worthwhile work-life balance, many people have found themselves frustrated or dissatisfied. But one key many career-oriented men and women have identified to help resolve this disparity is through giving back to the community. This type of community service comes in the form of volunteer and charity work.
At its heart, volunteerism represents a professional’s understanding of the critical link between service and the community. Simply working a career is not enough for many people. Instead, these devoted contributors volunteer their time, money and service to help make the community a better place.
Charities exist in all shapes and sizes and for a huge variety of subjects and services. This allows professionals to link their own personal passions to a charitable organization that could use their help.
The Networking Link
Volunteerism and charity work can also serve an important role in networking and career-based skill building. For many professionals, their passion to give back to the community has inevitably helped them find and secure an even better job.
According to Huffington Post contributor Kip Patrick, a recent LinkedIn survey showed that most hiring managers value volunteer work as important and relevant experience toward any professional position. In fact, one out of five respondents to the survey said that an applicant’s charitable work was a major deciding factor in making a job offer.
As Patrick discussed, “Why are hiring managers and major corporations taking volunteering so seriously? Because they’ve realized the professional and personal benefits potential employees can experience through giving back. From learning new skills and honing existing ones to meeting new people and boosting creativity, volunteering could benefit your career more than you think…”
In many cases job-seekers have found their way into organizations through either affiliated or direct volunteer service. It’s easy to transfer a volunteer into a paid position if they’ve been a worthwhile part of an organization, after all.
Additionally, typical charity work requires developing a variety of skills that easily apply to other positions. From task management and team-oriented service to working under pressure and ambiguity, these skills mean a lot to employers. And a growing number of employers are recognizing just how worthwhile volunteer service becomes within a professional position.
The best part about this type of networking is that it also serves a greater purpose in giving back to the community. As Kip Patrick furthered in his post, “best of all, you’ll be doing good and helping others in the process.”
Work-Life Professional Balance
For professionals already secure in their current positions, charity and volunteer work carries a whole slew of other benefits as well. This type of service can help add tremendous value and impact to a work-life balance. Additionally, the emotional benefits of connecting a passion to a service-based outlet can make a huge impact in a volunteer’s life.
Florida attorney and philanthropy advocate Lauri J Goldstein is one of the many working professionals committing themselves to service beyond their careers. As far as she sees it, charity work is a remarkable way to connect passions and community advocacy to everyday life.
As Goldstein said recently of her own work, “I got involved because I saw a need in our community. I saw community members who couldn’t eat and didn’t have a place to stay at night. Homeless and hungry individuals, right here in my own backyard. So why not start right there? I was able to understand the needs and struggles of my local community, and use that knowledge to begin making a difference.”
Lauri J Goldstein continued by noting that charity is best served when it connects volunteers and charitable contributors to areas they feel passionate about. “Everyone has different issues that tear at their heartstrings. I try to help people I feel need it the most and the most vulnerable members of our community. There are so many worthwhile causes out there!”
Making a Connection
When volunteers find a charity they can commit themselves to, the benefits will become visible almost immediately. Volunteers can see how the work they and other volunteers do impacts their community – and those they serve. And the personal satisfaction this type of service brings is well worth the effort for most volunteers.
“For me, it’s the results that touch me the most,” Lauri J Goldstein mentioned. “They are the reason I donate and volunteer. I strongly support not taking from society, but giving back in abundance, making a real impact on your community and your world.”
From professional networking to work-life balance and satisfaction, charity work carries an impressive number of positive attributes for volunteers. But giving back to the community isn’t about personal goals. Instead, this type of service – aimed at selflessly helping others – gives professionals like Lauri J Goldstein all the more motivation to continue giving back as often as possible.
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