PR and Volunteering
With classes starting and students flooding campus again, getting involved becomes a topic on students’ minds. How do I get ahead in my career? Where can I meet new people? How can I land an internship for my major?
One word: volunteering.
It may not be the exact answer you’re looking for, but believe me, volunteering can get you a lot further than you would think, especially in the world of public relations. Just ask a public relations professional how they got to where they are now. Chances are they probably volunteered along the line. Even I can vouch for this. I don’t think I would have landed the internship I have now if it weren’t for the opportunities I was given through volunteering. Even though you’re working for free, volunteering can provide you with many benefits and opportunities.
The act of volunteering simply makes the world a better place. No matter how small the act is, you are making a difference in the community around you. And along with putting your mark on the community, you can also advance your career. Here a few benefits I have found from my volunteer work.
Networking
In public relations, networking is everything. It’s all about who you know. And what better way to meet new people than volunteering? Even if it’s as simple as volunteering to help at a networking event, you will gain the opportunity to make new connections and build your network.
Resume Building
Need something new to add to your resume? Look no further. By volunteering, you are provided with the opportunity to connect with new organizations and add skills to your resume.
Advancing Skills
This goes hand in hand with number two. Putting yourself in a position that is outside your comfort zone can allow for new experiences. The world of public relations is constantly changing, which means you need to be aware of what skills you should be learning. By volunteering and stepping outside your comfort zone, you never know what skills you may acquire.
Getting your foot in the door may be all it takes to advance your career in the public relations field. If these benefits sound good to you, step outside your comfort zone and volunteer. Don’t know where to start or how to find volunteer opportunities? Follow these three simple steps.
1. Get involved
Whether it’s with your community or campus, there are always opportunities to help. Grand Valley especially has numerous clubs to choose from, no matter what your major is. Find the right club for you by clicking here. If you’re looking to volunteer in your community try VolunteerMatch. Just a simple search can lead to different organizations in your community that could use your help.
2. Stay connected
Once you get involved in your community, stay involved. Sign up for club newsletters and ask others if they know of opportunities that can get your foot in the door. Staying involved means being connected, and being connected can help advance your career in the long run.
3. Work hard
Even though you are volunteering, you are still showing your work ethic to that company or organization. If you stay driven and strive toward your goals, there’s no doubt you should succeed in the public relations field. The outcome of giving a little time can be amazing if you give it a chance.
Overall, volunteering can give you opportunities you may have never dreamed of. You can make your mark on the world while advancing your career. So, why not give it a try? If you don’t take the chance, you will never know what could have been.
About Vanessa
Vanessa Lansdale is a junior at Grand Valley State University majoring in Advertising and Public Relations and double minoring in Nonprofit Administration and Photography. She loves being involved at Grand Valley and is an Account Associate at GrandPR, the Director of Alumni Relations for GV PRSSA, and the Photographer for the Advertising and Public Relations program. In her free time, you can catch Vanessa hiking, camping, going to concerts, and taking photographs.