High school is the perfect time to dedicate some hours to volunteering. You’ll learn more about yourself and the world around you. Volunteer opportunities throughout the summer and the school year will help you become a more well-rounded applicant and gain clarity on the things you want to pursue after high school. Let’s dive into some of the reasons you should spend time volunteering and some ways you might get involved.
There's a reason that so many colleges like to see consistent volunteer work on your application! Colleges love to see students get involved, something they hope you’ll do on their campus. Volunteering also demonstrates your eagerness to be part of a cause and help those around you. Many colleges want to admit students with their own campus community values, so showing that on your application is a great starting point.
When volunteering in high school, you’ll often be stepping outside your comfort zone to help with new projects or learn new skills. Take this as a chance to grow personally. You can gain leadership, communication, and teamwork skills that will help you tremendously in the long run. Volunteering is also a great way to learn more about your community and make connections with people who can provide advice and recommendations for your future college and career aspirations.
You may be required to get volunteer hours while in high school for things like the National Honor Society, graduation requirements, or other clubs/organizations. Look for places that will provide you with consistent hours so you can routinely build the time into your calendar without needing to look for new opportunities. For example, instead of helping in the community garden once, see if the city’s horticulture department will let you volunteer to help maintain their gardens for an entire season. This will help you build relationships, fuel your passion for the project, and get hours in regularly.
Are you still feeling unsure about what you want to do as a career? Use your volunteer time to learn more about some of the careers out there that catch your attention. There may be volunteer opportunities at companies you're interested in learning more about, organizations that are aligned with majors you're curious about exploring, or skills that may be needed for a career you want to pursue. You may find through volunteering that you like being in a caretaking environment or that you prefer hands-on activities with customers. All this is valuable information as you work towards graduation.
While it may be tricky to fit volunteering into your afternoon or weekends with school, homework, sports, etc., there are several options that high school students can find that work well for them.
There are typically a few nursing homes within driving distance in every town. What you do will likely change throughout the months, but you can expect to spend time visiting with those living there, helping with group activities, and assisting the staff with general day-to-day tasks.
If you love spending time with animals, you should volunteer at a local animal shelter! You can provide support by playing with the animals, feeding them, completing other projects, and assisting with fundraising efforts. This is especially great for students looking into animal science majors.
Check local museums to see if they have any volunteer opportunities. You might be able to give tours and help with any programs they offer. This is a great option for anyone looking to go into a liberal arts major or history. You never know what you’ll learn!
If you are passionate about supporting your community or helping the environment, participate in community clean-up days. Sometimes these are hosted privately and advertised on local bulletin boards; other times they are organized by the city. You might help pick up trash, clean up garden spaces, or plant new trees. If everyone gave just a few hours of time to help clean up the community, it would make a world of difference.
Check the list of school clubs to see if there are any community service clubs such as Do Something, Red Cross Club, Boys & Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, or something similar that you could join. Schools can sometimes have chapters for these larger national organizations, which are great opportunities to serve.
Did you have a teacher you loved back in elementary school? You may find they need volunteers to help in their classroom. If you have a flexible high school schedule, you may be allowed to spend some time each week working in their classroom. You’ll help prep for upcoming classroom projects, might help grade students’ work, or work one-on-one with some students.
If you're enthusiastic about sports, volunteering for a youth sporting league may be just the right fit for you. Check with the Little League, local recreation leagues, etc., to see how you can volunteer. Often, they are looking for people to help coach, help with concessions, become an umpire/referee, and everything in between.
Ready to get started? Check out our list of volunteer websites that can help connect you with the right opportunity.