Volunteering a gateway to career opportunities

Published On Mon 11 Mar 2019 by Jonathan Watson

Volunteering for good causes can give University of Dundee students a helping hand in to the world of work.

Eric Knox, the CEO of Volunteer Dundee, says that giving up free time to help local charitable organisations can provide students with valuable skills and experience that will help their future career prospects.

He is urging Dundee students to attend the University’s annual Volunteering and Work Experience Fair, which takes place in Air Bar, DUSA, on Thursday 14 March.

With dozens of recruiters exhibiting, Mr Knox said that working with the local community can be hugely rewarding.

He said, “Volunteering is a two-way street. Students can make an incredible impact on their community by giving up a little of their time, but they can also help to change the lives of the people they work with.

“I’ve looked over countless CV’s in my time and when you see that a candidate is a volunteer then it really helps their application to stand out. Work experience is obviously important as well, but volunteering definitely makes a candidate more employable.”

Hosted in conjunction with the Dundee University Students’ Association (DUSA), this year’s Volunteering and Work Experience Fair will have representatives from more than 40 groups attending. Along with Volunteer Dundee, organisations recruiting at the event will include the British Red Cross, RNLI, and International Voluntary Service.

“There are a host of voluntary organisations across Dundee and students can play a crucial role in helping them with their work,” Mr Knox added.

“One of the services that we are involved with sees volunteers phoning local elderly people in the morning. The call may only take ten minutes, but in some instances that can be a lifeline for somebody who may not have anybody else to talk to.

“We are a small organisation but will help any group or cause that needs it, and with the support of University of Dundee students we can make a difference to lives throughout the local area.”

The Volunteering and Work Experience Fair take place in Air Bar, DUSA, from 11.30am – 2.30pm on Thursday 14 March.

For media enquiries contact:
Jonathan Watson
Media Relations Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
Tel: +44 (0)1382 381489
Email: j.s.watson@dundee.ac.uk