Why is it important to volunteer in Canada?

Hello, folks!

Do you know what it means to volunteer? This is vital in Canada if you want to gain some Canadian work experience in your resumé! Today I want to share with you what volunteering means, its benefits and my experience as a volunteer in Canada.

Volunteering means giving back to the community by engaging in unpaid activities. For example, the Greater Vancouver Food Bank is mostly run by volunteers that go to their locations to distribute food for those in need. You may have noticed that UCW also provides numerous volunteer opportunities. My advice is to take at least one volunteer position during your university journey. This will help you gain workplace skills and boost your resumé.

I have been volunteering for UCW since 2020 as a Senior Peer Leader. My role is to supervise and support a group of peer leaders and give them feedback about their performance. I have also volunteered in the past for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank and for a shelter that helps women. These experiences have enabled me to improve relevant workplace skills, and I am hugely grateful for the opportunities. If you are interested in volunteering for UCW, keep an eye on the MyUCW Student Portal, as many positions are communicated there. If you would like to look at external opportunities, many databases are available, such as Volunteer Canada, Charity Village and GoVolunteer.

Most companies appreciate it when candidates have some volunteer experience on their resumé, so do not miss out on this opportunity. Not only will volunteering help you gain Canadian work experience, but it is also a remarkable act where you generously help the community!