The dramatic impact of COVID-19 has, amongst other aspects, abruptly halted travels abroad and consequently, in-person volunteering activities worldwide. However, it has brought an unexpected silver lining in the world of volunteerism in the form of increased interest in virtual volunteering.
When volunteering at home, the tasks of a volunteer are completed in whole or in part via the internet on a home or work computer. Virtual volunteering is currently experiencing an unexpected spike of interest, as many people who are interested in giving back have decided to pursue this goal regardless of the travel restrictions and found a viable alternative in volunteering from home.
In addition to the previously discussed perks of helping from home, here are three reasons to consider skilled virtual volunteering, particularly in the time of COVID-19.
1. Create a relationship with the organisation you’d like to help, while waiting for the right time to meet them in person
For as long as travelling abroad is unsafe, difficult or expensive, we are expecting international volunteering activities on the field to be on hold. However, you can still make the most of this downtime to initiate the project from home. You still have the opportunity to experience the fulfilment of giving back.
When working from home, you can work at a more relaxed pace, take the time to read and learn about the organisation you are helping, research new ideas online, make a project plan, and use video calls to engage, get to know and exchange ideas with your future team. As soon as the borders are open again, you will be able to meet your virtual team in person. They’ll likely be friends already, and you’ll be able to dive deep into your project straight away!
2. Keep yourself emotionally in check while searching for a new job
One of the unfortunate side effects of the economic crisis due to COVID-19 is the number of people who have lost their jobs or have seen decreasing opportunities for finding one. For all of us who have experienced this, aside from the obvious financial distress, the pain of losing a job can also take a heavy toll on your mood, relationships, and overall mental and emotional health.
Our jobs are often more than just the way we make a living. They influence how we see ourselves, as well as the way others see us.
Skilled virtual volunteering that allows you to conduct an e-project that is aligned with your expertise, background and skillset answers to your sense of self-worthiness. It makes you feel useful as you’re helping others, but it also it gives you the dignity of doing valuable work.
You can add the experience as a line on your resumé or LinkedIn profile, avoiding that empty gap between jobs that always raises eyebrows during interviews. Remote volunteer work also has the value of a remote, pro-bono consulting work experience.
3. Master your capacity to work remotely with virtual teams
COVID-19 had the positive effect of speeding up the capacity for digital work in a matter of weeks and convince even the most traditional companies that working from home is in fact a new effective way to get work done as long as the job can be performed with a computer via the internet. We believe that the ability and experience to work from remote has already become a must-add line on the resumé.
Virtual volunteering is a great way of getting a crash-course on working from home in a safe working environment.
You can experiment with new work-from-home technologies, master your skills of engaging with a virtual team and learn how to stay focused and efficient while working amidst your family-life distractions.
Should the virtual project be conducted in a country different than yours, you may also learn how to communicate in a different language, adapt to a different culture, be flexible to a new working style and deal with time zone constraints, all in one shot!
Are you interested? Join our pool of skilled virtual volunteers!
If we’ve managed to make you a little bit interested in virtual volunteering, a perfect place to start is right here on this site. Browse our virtual volunteer projects section and find an opportunity that fits your objectives.
Or, submit your application to join our pool of skilled virtual volunteers and we will contact you if we find a project that aligns with your expertise.
Everyone of us has unique skills and abilities—why not use them to make the world a better place?
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