A Surefire Recipe to Gain Volunteer Experience
To stay competitive as a nutrition student you have to get good grades, be involved in extracurriculars, and volunteer like your life depends on it.
The semester is coming to an end and summer is right around the corner. As dietetic majors, you know that summer means that there is more time for… volunteering!
At times this is a very stressful and time provoking task but this is why you have us to help you through and find and create your best possible experiences that DI directors will gasp at (good gasps!) and put you right at the top of their lists.
To make this task a little more tolerable, what better way to read about volunteer experiences is there than a recipe. With just a few ingredients, a dash of determination, and some simple directions, you will be on your way to cookin’ up great volunteer experiences!
Ingredients
- Leadership skills
- Confidence
- Creativity
- Persistence
- Enthusiasm
Not sure where to begin? First, check out local volunteering opportunities near you here. Next, follow the directions below.
Directions
1. Ask – Put yourself out there. There are very few people that will turn down someone that wants to work for FREE. What excites you? What do you want to learn more about? Whether it is for 2 weeks, 2 months, or 2 years, experience is experience, and anything helps, all you have to do is ASK! If you are uncomfortable at first approaching someone to see if you could volunteer with them, there is nothing wrong with an email.
Sample Email:
To Whom It May Concern,
My name is __________. I’m a nutrition major at _____________ and I’m extremely interested in your __________________. I would love to learn more about ________, and was wondering if I could volunteer for you. I appreciate your time and patience with this request and I look forward to hearing back from you in the near future.
Thanks,
____________
2. Ask again – This is where persistence comes in. If you don’t hear from anyone in a week, try a follow-up email. Still no response? Stop in in-person! People are just as busy as you are and may not check their emails often. They may think that your persistence is an asset to their company and want to know more about you.
3. Ask for more – Yay, you are volunteering for something that you are passionate about! Now that you’ve learned the ropes of their company/business, ask for more projects. If you have something in mind that you think will be beneficial, ask your boss for permission. Lots of people are open to fresh, innovative, and creative ideas, that will help them make more of a positive influence in society. Go for it!
Now, enjoy the fruits of your labor. At times, this may be hard work, but it’s worth it in the end. Stay positive, always keep a smile on your face, and remember your end goal.
P.S. Are you applying to your dietetic internship? Join Get Matched Coaching for personalized advice that will help you gain confidence that will bring you one step closer to becoming a dietitian!
