Environmental volunteering options

Contributed by Lisa Litchfield, Conservation Volunteers Australia

Volunteer work presents an excellent way for Life and Environmental students to learn about the world of work and develop new skills and knowledge relevant to your field of interest.

Although many graduates have some experience of the workplace through part-time and temporary employment, it can be difficult to gain really relevant experience that links directly to your area of study. It can be vital in the competitive graduate recruitment market to be able to demonstrate that you have gained specific work related experience. This can give you the advantage over candidates who have not done so.

What classifies as Volunteer Work?

Essentially, volunteer work is characterised by these three elements:

• It provides a service to the community.
• The volunteer makes a free choice.
• It is unpaid.

Volunteer work is available in a wide range of areas related to degree areas within the Faculty of Life and Environmental Science including: Agriculture, Natural Resource Management, Community Development Services, Environmental Planning and Infrastructure Planning.

Volunteering is a very effective way of making a tangible contribution to the community. Many community organisations depend on volunteers to undertake their valuable work and could not operate without such assistance. Work experience, on the other hand, is not necessarily to do with community based work. It is more concerned with exposure to very specific and relevant types of work environments.

The benefits of volunteer work

The benefits of volunteering and work experience are many, and include:

• A broader understanding of life and people
• An opportunity to establish industry relevant contacts and networks
• An awareness of the world of work
• An increase in self-confidence
• Assistance in making informed career choices
• Development of new skills, knowledge and interests
• An increase in your employability potential

Who should I approach if I am interested?

Some places to start your volunteer search:

• Conservation Volunteers Australia
• EcoTeer
• i-to-I Volunteer Projects
• Seek Volunteer
• Australian Volunteers International
• FIDO (Friends In Deed Organisation)
• Pro Bono Australia’s Skilled Volunteer Matching Service
• Voluntary Service Overseas
• Global Vision International
• Global Volunteers
• Go Volunteer
• Student Partnerships Worldwide
• Volunteering Victoria
• Pacific Island Jobs 

For more information visit the Conservation Volunteers Australia website.