Jeff Ber Explains Why Volunteering Can Help One Enhance Their Overall Work Ethic
Approximately 63 million Americans, or 25% of the adult population, volunteer their efforts, time, and talents to charity. While cultivating positive change can aid members of your local community, it can also help to improve your overall performance at work.
Jeff Ber, a successful business consultant and the VP of Oneball, has been a passionate cancer awareness advocate ever since he beat a terminal testicular cancer diagnosis. Fulfilled by the work he does with Oneball, which provides meaningful assistance through the testicular cancer journey, Jeff Ber has a new drive and motivation that has helped refine his work as a freelance business consultant. Jeff Ber is here to outline some of the unexpected benefits that volunteering can have on your career.
Explore New Talents
If you have ever been interested in another field of study, volunteering is a great way to explore other avenues. Whether it is event planning, marketing, fundraising, or coaching a sports team, there is likely a volunteer opportunity out there that will align with your interests.
Jeff Ber explains that a volunteer opportunity can either build on your current experience or allow you to explore another skill set entirely. Unlike a paid position (which often requires extensive previous experience), volunteer opportunities give you the space and safety to explore a new skill set while also benefiting others.
Connect With Like-Minded Individuals
When you volunteer, you are given the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals working towards a singular goal. This can not only build camaraderie between team members, but can also help you expand your network. In Jeff Ber’s experience, volunteering shows incredible initiative and work ethic, and is likely to attract other value-oriented individuals. Whether it is for professional or person connections, this can be a great way to meet other passionate people.
Showcase Your Initiative
More than anything, volunteering shows initiative, selflessness, and dedication. Jeff Ber explains that whether you are adding it to your resume, LinkedIn profile, or personal website, volunteering can help give you the edge on your competition. Showcasing passion and commitment, volunteer experience can be the deciding factor for a hiring manager between you and another candidate. Above all else, it is a willingness to go above and beyond what is expected with no expectations of anything in return. It is this go-getter attitude that companies look for in their employees.
Be Passionate
Lastly, Jeff Ber explains that volunteering can ignite a passion within you that can help you gain a better understanding of what drives you. When Jeff Ber joined Oneball as their VP of Operations, he reconnected with his passion for helping others and hopes to host motivational speaking engagements where he draws on his own experiences. It is through this experience that Jeff Ber found his passion for public speaking, which he may not have discovered otherwise. He encourages individuals of all ages to take the time to discover a meaningful cause and to volunteer their time as a means to help themselves and others.
