Creative Ways Students Can Get Involved With Online Volunteering Opportunities
You Can Get Involved and Volunteer Without Leaving Your Living Room
Volunteering is a meaningful opportunity for students to give back to their local communities, expand their horizons, and learn new skills. While some activities may be on hold due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the good news is that there are still plenty of ways to get involved.
From working with the elderly to tutoring younger students, there are many virtual community service experiences to consider. Keep reading for a roundup of some of our favorite ways to volunteer and make an impact from your own home.
Become a Social Media Ambassador
If you’re always on TikTok, channel your love of social media into doing something good. Many non-profit organizations are looking for ambassadors who can spread the word about what they are doing and help their followers finds ways to get involved. Commitments and responsibilities will vary depending on where you volunteer, but most social media ambassador programs will ask volunteers to post about their cause, shout out any recent milestones the organization has achieved, and build buzz around events and fundraisers.
Share Your Skills
Every student has valuable expertise on the topics that they’re passionate about. Why not share your knowledge and get involved in someone else’s professional journey? There are several programs that pair students to community groups that are looking for support in the areas that they excel in. For example, a student who loves coding might want to get involved in Donate:Code to share their technical knowledge with others.
Virtual Tutoring
Much like skill sharing, virtual tutoring is a popular way to volunteer and help out others by teaching them what you know. Programs like TeensGive match high school students with younger peers who are looking for one-on-one guidance on a specific academic subject. Tutoring is an excellent way to not only give back but also develop leadership skills that you can use throughout your entire life.
Translation Volunteers
Being able to speak multiple languages is a huge gift that students can take advantage of. One of the best ways to channel your language excellence is to help an organization that works to break down language barriers by serving as a translator. There are even apps that make it easy to connect students who want to get involved with families who need language services, like Tarjimly. There’s also Translation Without Borders, which allows multi-lingual students to translate texts that focus on crisis relief, health, and education.
Become a Buddy
If you love connecting with others and consider yourself a people person, a buddy program may be an optimal way to put your social skills to use. There are many non-profits that pair high school teenagers with groups that are at risk of feeling isolated, such as seniors and students with developmental disabilities. Depending on the program you get involved with, you might have the chance to chat with your buddy virtually, send them letters, or even join a video conference. There are often specific activities like games and lesson plans so that students can quickly start bonding with their buddies over a shared activity.
Instead of thinking about what kinds of opportunities you might be missing out on, try to focus on all of the ways you can still make a difference, even from your own bedroom. When it comes to choosing a volunteer opportunity, strive to find something that is meaningful to you and that aligns with your interests and passions. If you’re looking for guidance on how to get involved and the role that volunteering can play in your college admissions process, our team can answer your questions and point you in the right direction.
