Whether it’s planting community gardens, walking dogs at animal shelters, or helping with fundraising and events, the many different types of volunteer work can suit all kinds of personality and skills. You can also volunteer virtually from home, especially if you have a particular interest in certain types of projects or cause.
For example, you can help support the global fight against climate change by volunteering remotely for the UN climate summit. Or you could work on citizen science, where anyone can contribute to the growing collective mass of scientific information. Alternatively, you might want to help with administrative work such as accounting or IT, which can be done online from any location.
Many volunteers choose to volunteer with organizations that are in their local community. This is often the best way to get involved and to learn if this type of work suits them. You can volunteer with service organizations such as Lions or Rotary clubs, and with youth groups or after-school programs. You can also find opportunities with national parks or conservation organizations, or historical restorations.
You can also volunteer for organisations with a global mission, such as Oxfam or the Red Cross. However, it’s important to understand that, in general, volunteer work should not displace your regular employment or interfere with your ability to gain and sustain employment. In order to avoid this, F-1 and J-1 students should always ensure that they have appropriate work authorization for the activities they are engaged in as volunteers.
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