Community service: It's a resume-builder, too
It used to be about personal fulfillment and helping out in the community. Now, volunteering is becoming a sought-after resume line, too.
The college’s faculty is catching on as more and more students dedicate their time to various causes.
“It is a much bigger deal now. People are keeping track of who is engaged, who is involved, and who is making a difference in the community,” said Service Learning Coordinator Doug Grant, who coordinates much of the college’s volunteer activities.
Why the sudden shift toward volunteerism? Grant said employers have taken notice of the qualities in a person who dedicates their time volunteering and realized these same qualities can transfer into the workplace.
“There is a responsibility level, an integrity level, a passion and a keen concern for the fellow man,” said Grant.
It is these traits that employers find attractive in potential employees.
“As students are building their resumes, they have the experience section, and experience does not equal jobs, experience equals experience,” said Director of Career Services Kirk Bixler. Many of the skills that students use in volunteering are more applicable to the workplace than the ones in which a person may use at part-time job.
With more than 60 clubs on campus, many of which are philanthropic in nature, students have many opportunities to add a volunteer experience to their job skills toolbox.
Grant said he believes Franklin College allows students a chance to follow their passions and build their resumes simultaneously and in the midst of it all form themselves into true leaders.
“I think our students who really get involved are going to be the ones who are leaders,” Grant said. “They are going to be the ones who look out into the community and say, ‘There is a need here and I can fill it.’”
Students looking to break into volunteering should remember that showing up one time isn’t going to give that effect of dedication that years of service adds to a resume.
Depending on the intended career field, volunteer work serves a varied amount of importance in a hiring decision, but Bixler said he has seen a greater number of employers who want employees actively involved in the community.
“Today employers are looking at, not only do you have the decent grades, but what sort of experience do you have?” Bixler said.
