With summer fast approaching, students may find themselves scrambling for legitimate opportunities to gain experience during the summer. Luckily, there is still hope.
The Office of Civic Engagement and University Career Services will host a Non-profit Volunteer and Internship Fair April 8-9 in Dahlberg Hall, where students will be able to meet and interact with multiple Non-Profit organizations for volunteer experience. Abbey McDaniel, Administrative Coordinator of the Office of Cooperative Education and Internships, said that the fair provides a great opportunity for students to get involved in the community.
“There are many things that students can gain from working with a Non-Profit,” McDaniel said. “No matter your interest, you can try out different fields and meet people that help the community in different ways. It also provides students with a low-pressure environment to gain experience early on.”
McDaniel said that although the fair is beneficial for all students, underclassmen specifically have much to gain from volunteering.
“For underclassmen, it can help you figure out what you want and what you like doing early on,” McDaniel said., “You also get a jump on building your resume, which gives you an advantage.”
Representatives from over 35 organizations will be available for students talk to, including the ALS Association of Georgia and the Red Cross. McDaniel said that working with any organization can be beneficial for you, even if a student may not be interested in that specific career path.
“When I was an undergrad, I volunteered at an after school program,” McDaniel said. “It was great because I was able to give back, and because it [showed] me that I didn’t want to teach. For students, volunteering can give you a better perspective of what you like and don’t like.”
The fair will be at Dahlberg Hall, in the Veterans Memorial Hall, and will run from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Students are recommended to wear business casual attire and have resumes on hand.
