Introduction
On the west coast of Africa, a young man from Sierra Leone, passionate about giving back to his community through volunteering and eager to meet people from different cultures, discovered an opportunity to travel the world without ever leaving his home. Through Acquaint, a global nonprofit organization, he connected with people across continents, learning about their traditions while sharing his own.
What began as curiosity about how others live soon became a life-changing journey. The skills, experiences, and relationships he gained not only broadened his worldview but also led him to a remote job he had never dreamed of. This is what volunteering does; it opens doors you didn’t even know existed.
Volunteering is the commitment of time and resources for the benefit of yourself, your community, or even your country without expecting payment. It benefits the volunteer because you gain knowledge, skills, and experiences that add value to your life. In the process, you grow as a person, contribute to development at different levels, and strengthen your career prospects when paid work comes calling.
Why Volunteerism Matters To Us As Individuals
Volunteerism is a journey of growth. It teaches us responsibility and compassion, and equips us with experiences no classroom can fully replicate. It connects us with people from all walks of life, broadening our networks and opening doors we never imagined.
Volunteer Story: Jahleel Durami
Acquaint Volunteer, Nigeria
Jahleel Durami, a Nigerian volunteer with Acquaint, knows this well. Over his year with the platform, he connected with people from diverse countries, gaining cultural insights that went far beyond textbooks. These interactions expanded his empathy and even helped him professionally such as when advice from a UK-based volunteer helped him secure a scholarship there. Despite experiencing culture shock in the UK, Jahleel continued contributing to Acquaint’s AI training and engaging in deep cross-cultural conversations. The experience not only improved his confidence but also made him more proactive in real-life interactions. Meeting people from countries he had already engaged with online became an instant icebreaker, proving to him that differences are not barriers but bridges.
“Through Acquaint, I have learnt about the world in ways that goes beyond textbooks or media”.
Skill Development
Volunteering sharpens both soft and hard skills; communication, leadership, project management, time management, and more. Real-world experiences gained through volunteering strengthen both personal and professional abilities. In the UK, 79% of volunteers report learning new skills, and in the U.S., unemployed volunteers are 27% more likely to find work (NCVO, 2016; CNCS, 2013).
For Akina Choi, it began when she stepped into the Hong Kong Maritime Museum as a volunteer guide. Initially unfamiliar with storytelling, she gradually learned to engage visitors, turning historical facts into captivating narratives. Over time, her confidence grew, enabling her to lead educational programs and mentor new volunteers. What started as a simple offer to help became a transformative journey, equipping her with public speaking, cultural interpretation, and leadership skills that opened opportunities far beyond the museum.
“Time definitely flies when you are having an exciting learning journey!”
Career Growth
The beauty of volunteerism is that it builds real-world skills, acts as a safe career testing ground, fills resume gaps, provides strong recommendations, and expands professional networks—all at no cost. These benefits have been proven worldwide.
Before the world knew Oprah Winfrey as a media icon, she was a teenage girl in Nashville with no money, influence, or platform, just a love for words and a warm voice. A volunteer spot reading the news at a local radio station became her training ground. Those unpaid hours shaped her into the communicator she would become, leading to her first paid TV job and the beginning of an extraordinary career.
“Living in service transform your own life”.
In the U.S., volunteering significantly boosts employability—resumes with volunteer work receive 45% more interview callbacks, and 82% of hiring managers are more likely to hire candidates with volunteer backgrounds. In the UK, 73% of employers prefer candidates with volunteer experience, with many ranking it above paid work when leadership or responsibility is involved.
The same is true across Africa, where high youth unemployment makes volunteering a lifeline. It equips young people with critical job skills and connects them to valuable networks. Emily Carson’s story illustrates this well; fresh out of university with an Environmental Science degree, she couldn’t find paid conservation work due to lack of experience. Volunteering at a wildlife reserve not only gave her that hands-on experience but also led directly to a job offer.
Volunteering’s Academic Payoff
The benefits extend to education, where volunteering boosts college admissions, improves academic performance, and is increasingly integrated into global education systems. John Morris’s life is a vivid example—as once a troubled teen facing family upheaval, volunteering with the Scouts gave him purpose and confidence. Through service projects in places like Gambia and Russia, he found direction, eventually attending university and reshaping his future.
I can relate. My own passion once revolved solely around politics. But volunteering with Acquaint taught me to learn, unlearn, and see the world through a new lens. I realized that the change I once thought possible only through politics could be achieved often more effectively through nonprofit work.
Volunteerism Is An Investment In Yourself
Whether you’re a student, a job seeker, or someone considering a career change, volunteering is more than an act of kindness—it’s a strategy for growth. From New York to Nairobi, London to Freetown, it opens doors, builds networks, strengthens resumes, and enriches education.
“Volunteer activities can foster enormous leadership skills. The nonprofit professional volunteer world is a laboratory for self-realization.”
— Madeleine Kunin
References
- National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), Time Well Spent, 2016.
- Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), Volunteering as a Pathway to Employment, 2013.
- OECD, Recognition Of Non-Formal And Informal Learning, 2011.
- Get Schooled – “Benefits Of Volunteering: How Volunteer Work Can Lead To A Job.”
- Alfonso-Costillo et al., “Does Volunteering Increase Employment Opportunities?” MPRA.
- LinkedIn News – Volunteer Experience Survey.
- RealStreet via Deloitte Volunteer Impact Survey.
- Social Market Foundation (UK) – More Than CV Points?
- NGOConnectSA / Mail & Guardian – Volunteering And Youth Employment In Africa.
- MoldStud – The Impact Of Volunteer Work On College Admissions.
- Evolve Online – Academic Benefits Of Volunteering For Students.