My son recently joined the Cub Scout. We were attending Back-to-School orientation, and he saw their table. He ran over there.

“Mom, I want to join!”

I haven’t seen him this excited since Soccer, so I signed him up (still waiting on the Girl Scouts to call me about my daughter, but that is another story).

They were in desperate need for someone to assist them with their monthly newsletter, so I offered to help. They gladly accepted it. Even though I have a lot on my plate, I always have enough room to volunteer my expertise to help an organization.

When I was in college and trying to figure how to transition from being a System Administrator to a Writer, I read the best advice that I ever got. “Volunteer.” It’s exactly what I did.

I started helping non-profit organizations who didn’t have much funding with their grant writing, newsletter publishing, and copywriting. After doing this for awhile, I put it on my resume, and got my internship with a think tank. I never forgot that volunteering helped start me on my way to where I am now, so I continue doing it.

It’s one advice that I pass to other college graduates who are trying to get their foot in the door, especially when they are trying to break into any kind of writing. You read the job description, and they want at least three years experience. Therefore, you wonder how can I get experience if no one wants to give me a chance?

Volunteer. Even if you are already established in your career, you should do it as well. It’s great to feel that your skills are being used for a wonderful cause and it can open the door to learning new things that you never would have learned before.

The first newsletter is due next week, and I am excited. I haven’t done a newsletter in over a year, and I always wondered if I would ever do one again. I now have a chance to do something that I loved, but I just haven’t done due to the type of writing that I am currently doing.

Written by: Shevonne on October 6, 2009.
Last revised by: Shevonne on December 28, 2009.

Tags: Grant writing, helping non-profits, Non-profit organization, Philanthropy, pro bono, volunteer, volunteering