Work as a Volunteer
RUI DENG( RAY)
Prof. Teddy Chocos
English 100D+E
Nov. 2nd, 2013
Work is the most part in people's life, and in generally there are 2 kinds of work
in the world: paid work and unpaid work. Almost everyone knows that what is an
unpaid work, a work which worker also needs to pay for the material needs. When
many people think that volunteer is a job, which spend lots of their time and vigor
with no return. Nevertheless there are retributions for people who are volunteers.
According to Ilse, Alain and David’s article," Volunteer work in youth organizations:
predicting distinct aspects of volunteering behavior from self- and other-oriented
motives"(the article which talks about how self-oriented motives were more
important in explaining in-role volunteer behavior than other-oriented),“ VFI
(Volunteer Functions Inventory) consists of six subscales: values (e.g.," I feel it is
important to help others”), understanding (e.g.," Volunteering lets me learn through
direct, hands-on experience”), enhancement (e.g., "Volunteering makes me feel
better about myself”), career (e.g., “Volunteering experience will look good on my
resume”), social (e.g., “My friends volunteer”), and protective (e.g., “By volunteering,
I feel less lonely”)."(459) It shows the importance of volunteering, in addition there
are profits to be a volunteer, however, it is not material, it is spiritual.
In Thomas Hobbes’s book “ Leviathan”, he emphasized that" everyone is
pursuing their interests, it is human nature. " Also in Ilse, Alain and David’s state,
“Egoism is clearly self-oriented since the ultimate goal is to increase one’s own
welfare." (457) In this sentence the "welfare" does not mean money, but means
understanding. Most people cannot quit their jobs in order to learn a new skill,
however, they could be a volunteer to learn it. It is not only because sometimes
volunteers need to take a short-time training before they go to work, but also there
are many people who around you can help you to master the skills quickly, and all of
it is free. Also the junior volunteer can practice the skills in work, and other
volunteers will respect him/her, because most other volunteers are started similarly.
So that, to be a volunteer is an easier and cheaper way to get more knowledge and
skills than go to school.
Also if someone is a volunteer, he/she can ascertain his or her goal quickly and
get more chance than others who are not. In real world, most of students who just
graduate from college and get a job, while they think the job is suitable for them; but
after a few months they would find that the their jobs and their professional skill is
mismatch, or there is a better job. It will make people feel negative and depressed.
However, if someone in the college worked as a volunteer, this situation would be
avoided a lot. Nowadays most of companies would like to hire employees who have
work experience, if someone is a volunteer since he/she was a freshman, he/she
would get 4-year work experience, it can raise the successful rate of his/her applying
for the job. And the volunteer manger will compliment to the volunteer, it also
improve the impression of recruiter about the volunteer.
“I volunteer because I enjoy helping people. Besides, it is professionally and
personally fulfilling and great karma!" Sheethal Shobowale who is a member in
Matador, said this statement. She also volunteers with the microloan organization,
KIVA. There are some people who always want to help others, and when they see
other people get improved in their work, it is easy to generate a sense of
achievement and satisfaction. This would make volunteers feel that their pay is
worthwhile, and their life will become full and meaningful. Americans help each
other is not only because they want to return something to the society. In addition
almost every religion teaches humans to help each other; in the Bible, Matthew
Chapter25," (25: 35) For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and
ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in…(25: 46) and these shall go
away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal." It means that
if someone helps others is seems like he/she is helping the God, and this person will
go to the heaven.
Finally, being a volunteer really help people get into the society. If someone is a
volunteer, he/she will get out of their usual life; work “outside the box” with other
people. If someone is moving to a new place, being a volunteer is a good way to
make his/her join the local society. Volunteer work is varied, people always can find a
work which is interesting and helpful, for example, face to face communication in the
jobs, such as sales, cashier, care for the elderly, children, etc. It can exercise
someone’s interpersonal and communication skills. Being a volunteer also teaches
how to work in a team, volunteers usually tend to complete a job by working with
other people, it is impossible to complete a job without good cooperation.
Volunteering is very important, but it is important for special reasons and not
material reasons. The 6 points, value, understanding, enhancement, career, social,
and protective, stated above, tell why there are lots of people who enjoy to be a
volunteer, because spiritual rewards often let a person feel happy more than material
rewards. When people volunteer, they learn many skills for their interests or jobs,
and get more work experience. Also teamwork experience can help people do their
jobs well. This leads people to feel happier.