Volunteer Experience

Volunteering can be an asset to your career plans by:

Giving you job experience
Improving your health and self-esteem
Making a difference in your community
Meeting and networking with new people
Learning new skills and developing your talents
Sharing your skills with others
Making the world a better place for someone else. (London Free Press, June 14, 2000, D1)

Most volunteer positions are short term but some can be as intense as a full-time job. Keep in mind that some professional schools require you to have some volunteer experience as part of the application process. For example, Western’s Master of Physical Therapy program requires you to have completed 50 hours of volunteer or paid work with individuals who have physical and/or cognitive limitations.