Become A Volunteer

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Working As A Volunteer

Getting Information
Documenting/Recording Information
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Deal with People
Unpleasant/Angry People
Stressful
$44,741
Average Salary

What Does A Volunteer Do

A Volunteer is a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task. They are focused on providing support during community activities.

How To Become A Volunteer

Requirements for social and human service assistants vary, although they typically have at least a high school diploma and must complete a brief period of on-the-job training. Some employers prefer to hire workers who have additional education or experience.

Education

Although a high school diploma is typically required, some employers prefer to hire workers who have relevant work experience or education beyond high school. A certificate or an associate’s degree in a subject such as human services, gerontology (working with older adults), or social or behavioral science is common for workers entering this occupation.

Human service degree programs train students to observe and interview patients, carry out treatment plans, and handle people who are undergoing a crisis. Many programs include fieldwork to give students hands-on experience.

The level of education that social and human service assistants have completed often determines the responsibilities they are given. Those with a high school diploma are likely to do lower level work, such as helping clients fill out paperwork. Assistants with some college education may coordinate program activities or manage a group home.

Although postsecondary education is important, some employers may prefer or allow for applicants who have related work experience. In some cases, candidates may substitute such experience in place of postsecondary education.

Training

Many social and human service assistants, particularly those without any postsecondary education, undergo a period of on-the-job training. Because such workers often are dealing with multiple clients from a wide variety of backgrounds, on-the-job training in case management helps prepare them to respond appropriately to the different needs and situations of their clients.

Advancement

For social and human service assistants, additional education is almost always necessary for advancement. In general, advancement to case management or social work jobs requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree in human services, counseling, rehabilitation, social work, or a related field.

Important Qualities

Communication skills. Social and human service assistants talk with clients about the challenges in their lives and assist them in getting help. These workers must be able to listen to their clients and to communicate the clients’ needs to organizations that can help them.

Compassion. Social and human service assistants often work with people who are in stressful and difficult situations. To develop strong relationships, they must have compassion and empathy for their clients.

Interpersonal skills. Social and human service assistants must make their clients feel comfortable discussing sensitive issues. Assistants also need to build relationships with other service providers to become familiar with all of the resources that are available in their communities.

Organizational skills. Social and human service assistants often must complete lots of paperwork and work with many different clients. They must be organized in order to ensure that the paperwork is filed properly and that clients are getting the help they need.

Problem-solving skills. Social and human service assistants help clients find solutions to their problems. They must be able to listen carefully to their clients’ needs and offer practical solutions.

Time-management skills. Social and human service assistants often work with many clients. They must manage their time effectively to ensure that their clients are getting the attention they need.

Some employers require a criminal background check. In some settings, workers need a valid driver’s license.

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Volunteer jobs

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Volunteer Demographic

Gender

Female
63.2%
Male
33.4%
Unknown
3.5%

Ethnicity

White
73.9%
Hispanic or Latino
12.4%
Asian
10.7%
Unknown
2.3%
Black or African American
0.7%

Languages Spoken

Spanish
47.3%
French
11.5%
Chinese
6.1%
Mandarin
5.5%
German
3.2%
Arabic
2.7%
Hindi
2.7%
Italian
2.7%
Japanese
2.7%
Russian
2.7%
Korean
2.3%
Portuguese
2.2%
Cantonese
2.1%
Vietnamese
1.6%
Urdu
1.4%
Tagalog
0.9%
Hebrew
0.7%
Greek
0.6%
Gujarati
0.6%
Polish
0.5%

Volunteer

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

Volunteer Typical Career Paths

Average Length of Employment

Volunteer Director 2.8 years
Co-Director 2.7 years
Member/Volunteer 2.5 years
Volunteer Leader 2.5 years
Community Service Volunteer 2.3 years
Volunteer Services Director 2.2 years
Volunteer Coordinator 2.1 years
Activities/Volunteer 2.1 years
Youth Volunteer 2.0 years
Events Volunteer 2.0 years
Volunteer 2.0 years
Volunteer Team Leader 2.0 years
Staff Volunteer 2.0 years
Ship Worker 1.9 years
Floater 1.9 years
Volunteer Counselor 1.8 years
Junior Volunteer 1.7 years
Volunteer, Mentor 1.6 years
Administrator, Volunteer 1.6 years
Volunteer Teacher 1.6 years
Volunteer Administrative Assistant 1.5 years
Volunteer Program Coordinator 1.5 years
Volunteer Teacher Assistant 1.4 years
Office Volunteer 1.4 years
Hospital Volunteer 1.3 years
Student Volunteer 1.2 years
Americorps Volunteer 1.1 years

Volunteer Education

Schools

University of Phoenix
8.1%
University of Central Florida
6.4%
Michigan State University
6.1%
Liberty University
5.8%
Florida State University
5.4%
University of Florida
5.4%
Virginia Commonwealth University
5.0%
Temple University
4.9%
University of Arizona
4.9%
New York University
4.8%
University of South Florida
4.6%
University of Texas at Austin
4.6%
San Francisco State University
4.5%
Pennsylvania State University
4.4%
University of Connecticut
4.4%
Arizona State University
4.2%
George Mason University
4.2%
San Jose State University
4.1%
San Diego State University
4.1%
Georgia State University
4.1%

Majors

Degrees

Bachelors
49.2%
Other
19.9%
Masters
15.8%
Associate
8.0%
Certificate
3.3%
Doctorate
2.7%
Diploma
0.9%
License
0.2%

Volunteer

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Top Skills for A Volunteer

Top Volunteer Skills

Customer Service
Safe Environment
Emergency Calls

You can check out examples of real life uses of top skills on resumes here:

Interviewed potential adopting families Answered questions while providing customer service
Provided a safe environment for children; assisted with carrying out daily learning plans for class.
Responded to emergency calls Maintained equipment
Interact with residents providing counseling and assist with child care
Worked with language barriers among other workers to ensure job got done properly with the right communication.