Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to contribute to one’s community through positive, impactful action. For college students, it can also be beneficial for career development.

Volunteering provides the opportunity to:

Build your network.

Volunteering for a cause you care about enables you to meet people who share common interests, expanding your network of connections.

Gain real world experience and improve soft skills.

Students who volunteer develop key skills including leadership, time management and problem-solving, all of which lead to greater confidence during job search and interviews.

Explore and refine career goals.

Volunteer work can help you discover first-hand if a career choice is a good fit.

Bolster your resume.

Make your resume stand out among other candidates! Volunteer experience can help make it easier to find and get that first entry-level job.

Two masked volunteers handing out boxes from a truck during daytime.

Want help finding volunteer opportunities?

Western’s Community Service Center can help you get connected to volunteer opportunities both on and off campus. Schedule a time to connect with someone by emailing community.service@wwu.edu to request a meeting.

You can also find opportunities using WAVES (Western Action for Volunteer Engagement and Service), a WWU-sponsored volunteer platform.

Ready to get involved?

Here are some resources for finding volunteer opportunities! Remember, you can include volunteer experiences on your resume. Check out our resume resources for tips on showcasing your skills and accomplishments.