Last year around three hundred jobs were noted less than this year, and as expected 350000 took some action. But that is just a fraction compared to the number of Dutch people that are doing volunteer work during the rest of the year.
Disinterested?
Almost half of the Dutch are unselfishly dedicated in voluntary work for another. That is not strange, says Lucas Meijs, Professor of Volunteering at the Erasmus University. Totally unselfish it is indeed not.
“Most people go to work everyday because they are paid to, but you certainly do volunteer work for a different reason. For example, you learn something new or you enhance your social network”.There is much to gain for oneself.
Good Job
There are at least two major reasons for people to volunteer. The first is to show what it is you find important. “With volunteering you can show you care about where your heart lies”. By doing volunteer work at the WWF, you will show that you care about nature, or that you are idealistic.
The second reason: it is good for your career. “If you volunteer you build on your social network and learn a lot. It looks good on your resume. Therefore, it is useful if you want to get a good job”.
Happier
Also, Mark Molenaar from the association Dutch Voluntary Organisations says you should do more volunteer work. “For example, you will meet a lot of people. And for the unemployed or depressed people, volunteering is also very good, because it provides structure and makes you walk out of your door”.
It is no surprise that people who volunteer are often happier. “It makes you feel useful and you get to know new people. All these things that make you happier,” says Molenaar.
What Kind of Volunteer Work Can You Actually Do?
Many people associate volunteering with cleaning up playgrounds, playing bingo at retirement homes or cooking at the homeless shelter. But you can do much more. “For instance, you can be a language buddy, but you can also do administration work with organizations such as a community centre or a sports centre. Also you can accompany children at summer camps. You can even monitor human rights abroad, develop nature trails and count birds”. Molenaar himself will guide students in their first year period. “You just assume that you can do all paid work as a volunteer”. Through this web page you can easily find challenging volunteering.
Source: http://www.rtlnieuws.nl