What is volunteering and why do it?
Volunteering at RMIT is a great way to meet new people, develop your skills and get more out of your university experience.
As a volunteer you will:
- receive high quality personal development training for free
- have something that looks great on your resume
- be supporting the RMIT community
- learn a lot about yourself
- get a whole lot of real life and professional experience to take into a job
- make a difference.
What is volunteering?
As a volunteer, you:
- choose to give your skills and time
- help out individuals and the community
- create positive change
- do it for free
- work in a specially assigned volunteer role
- get something out of it for yourself too.
Volunteering rights and responsibilities?
As a volunteer you have the right to:
- information about the group in which you want to volunteer
- training and guidance
- adequate support in your role
- do meaningful work
- volunteer in a safe and healthy environment
- ask questions and receive timely answers.
As a volunteer, you also have responsibilities. You need to:
- be reliable
- be committed
- be available for and undertake appropriate training
- ask for support when you need it
- value and support other team members
- behave responsibly and ethically.
Why volunteer?
The benefits to the volunteer are many, including:
- developing skills and experience
- making a contribution to society/the university
- building your confidence
- developing networks
- making friends
- developing a greater understanding of people whose life is different to yours
- testing your vocational direction
- demonstrating your commitment to your chosen field
- exploring new career opportunities
- gaining a reference
Note: In some fields of work such as social work, youth work and counselling, participating in volunteer work may be a prerequisite to gaining employment. In others, such as environmental work, volunteering will demonstrate your commitment to the field.