Getting the job you want: Volunteer

I just got hired by a non-profit organization that assists disabled people get what they need to function better in life. I got sucked into volunteering through someone (a board member) whom I asked to repair my computer. Instead, he helped me build a new one with a promise that I volunteer a few hours a week preparing this non-profits newsletter.

OK, so I do that, then I end up doing some other stuff and before I know it, I'm hired today with a decent salary and doing the types of things I love doing...like newsletters, websites, fundraising, designing programs. No torturous scanning of want ads, no interviews, no filling out applications-except for the one they need for their files after they hired me.

Who knew that volunteering would lead to a job for me. I never intended that it would happen the way it did. I was really using them to add experience and references to my resume.

Anyhow, my otherwise miserable life took a turn for the better today. I'm actually happy for once. No griping for awhile (even tho my new boss is a repub and LOVES Bush, everyone else I work with is a dem). Go figure.

Goes to show you that doing good has blessed karma.

instant karma.

The best job I ever had - and I kept it for eight years and leaving due to personal reasons, very reluctantly - was a direct result of volunteering!

Family circumstances had me moving to a new town in a region of the country I'd hardly even visited, much less lived in or had any contacts in, more than ten years ago. I had no idea what I was going to do for work. I was just coming out of a stint overseas and in Washington, DC, under the umbrella of a multicultural missions program through my church's national office, and nothing I'd learned or done seemed applicable. I found an opening in another field (my original career track after college) and though I wasn't enthusiastic about it, I applied and went for an interview.

While I was in town for the interview, I decided to seek out ways to get involved in the community, and stopped by the local office of a well-known nonprofit organization I had volunteered with in other places. It was closed, but the regional office happened to be next door, was open, and had an assistant director's position open. I had two hours to get my resume in. I flew to Kinko's, printed and copied, and high tailed it back. Got it in. And waited. And waited.

I was offered the other job, the one I was in town to interview for. I turned it down on faith. And waited some more.

Long story short, I did get the job. I still smile thinking of that magical series of events that fell into place only because I wanted to volunteer and be a part of the solution in any community I happen to call home. Today, I'm now the director of the local branch of the same organization, back in my hometown. And couldn't be happier or more fulfilled!

:D

I had been planning on the job hunting routine in January and not looking forward to it. Plus, I knew whatever job I ended up with, I'd be the new guy, the one not in the loop about who all the assholes are, the one doing jobs no one else wanted to do. I'd last 3 months after realizing on day 2 that my boss was an idiot.

Volunteering gave me the opportunity to figure out who was who, where I could fit in and actually design my own job. Part of my job will be grantwriting, so I'll be able to make some money from that also. Plus, this agency is small and young enough and does really good community work.

And you are correct about being fulfilled. I feel like I am doing something worthwhile.

I am so glad you posted it here!

It is an incredible feeling to connect somewhere and be a part of a group, an organization, a movement, that gives you the feeling of being part of the solution. And to realize that you have skills that fill a need (and cross paths with others who recognize that!).

Nothing better than finding your calling. May we all find that niche and then pour our best into the opportunities we stumble upon!

:hug:

It describes everything I am excited about doing in my life. Man, I am happy right now.

Sounds like a great job.

Congratulations. When you give, you get. :)

:D