Employment: Volunteering
Not seeking paid employment?
Once you have become more accustomed to Washington, and the lure of the shops has definitely worn off, you might like to think about a wonderful
way of meeting new people or acquiring new skills in this most diverse city.
You could become a docent at the Smithsonian or the National Cathedral - do some recording for the blind or sit with an elderly patient.
Once you have become more accustomed to Washington, and the lure of the shops has definitely worn off, you might like to think about a wonderful
way of meeting new people or acquiring new skills in this most diverse city.
You could become a docent at the Smithsonian or the National Cathedral - do some recording for the blind or sit with an elderly patient.
Volunteering
The wonderful thing about volunteering here in Washington is the flexibility with which people accept help. You don’t have to commit to days on end – a few hours a week or a month will be more than appreciated and the volunteer effort is so well co-ordinated that there will always be someone to cover if you have to cancel.
Volunteer work can enhance your CV – some corporations even eliminate candidates for executive positions who do not show evidence of community involvement on their resumes.
Volunteering provides a useful way to test a career field, explore new avenues, get documented work experience, make contacts and “get your foot in the door”. Some volunteers may find they hear about paid job openings before they are advertised.
Plan what you want to get out of the experience before taking up any volunteer work (e.g. skill development, work experience or pursuit of an interest). Doing good while gaining skills and experience is a winning combination. Sometimes a volunteer job can be turned into a paid position.
Volunteering for the national or local professional association in your field of interest is a good way to make contacts – such as at a conference.
Volunteering for the national or local professional association in your field of interest is a good way to make contacts – such as at a conference.
Resources for Volunteers
News Papers
The Washington Post and various suburban newspapers periodically list volunteer opportunities.
- The Washington Post www.washingtonpost.com and www.careerpath.com has hyperlinks to most major US newspapers
- The Washington Post www.washingtonpost.com and www.careerpath.com has hyperlinks to most major US newspapers
Volunteer Offices
|
Fairfax County Volunteer
Center Tel: 703 246 3460 |
Local Charities and Non profits
Information and Reception Center (VIARC) Smithsonian InstitutionVisitor S1 Building, Room 153,
MRC 010, Washington DC 20560. Tel: 202 357 – 2700. |
Recording for the Blind and
|
Literacy Volunteers: Sponsors nationwide programme that trains tutors to teach adults to read.1325 W Street NW, Washington DC. Tel: 202
387 1772. |
The Washington Home and Hospice of Washington3720 Upton Street NW, Washington DC 20016.
Tel: 202 895 0174. www.thewashingtonhome.org. If you can listen, share a story, tell a joke, play bingo, push a wheelchair, serve a meal – they want you. |
The Baptist Home for Children and Families |
Washington National Cathedral: |
Local study opportunities
The Family Liaison Office at the US Department of State provides an enormous amount of information on their website. Start here to find local opportunities for study.
