The value in volunteer work
Nov 28, 2023
I have found myself reflecting a lot lately on a question I hear a lot from new and aspiring lawyers I mentor: "How do I get experience when I don't have experience?"
The answer might surprise you.
Volunteer work.
It's a simple yet powerful solution to the age-old dilemma that the only experience that matters is doing the exact same thing you want to get a job doing. This belief is a fiction that can keep you from achieving your dreams.
So, what does volunteer work look like for a lawyer? It looks like:
- Volunteering at a legal clinic like Pro Bono Ontario in your desired area of law.
- Volunteering with an industry-specific legal organization like Artists' Legal Advice Services, helping to plan events.
- Taking on non-legal roles in your desired industry, such as volunteering at venues like Factory Theatre or Crow's Theatre for entertainment or media.
- Joining the board of directors of an organization that aligns with your career aspirations. For those interested in entertainment law, consider arts organizations; for those pursuing business law, explore business-focused organizations, and so on.
- Volunteering at industry-specific conferences like Canadian Music Week, where you can immerse yourself in your passion and network with the experts.
The possibilities are endless. Each of these opportunities played a crucial role in my journey when I was working towards transitioning from insurance law to entertainment law. Feel free to explore my LinkedIn profile to see my experiences and the diverse skills I've gained through volunteering.
But it's not just about industry-specific work. Volunteer opportunities also provide a fantastic way to gain experience in new cultures, geographical locations, or communities after a move.
Volunteer work is an amazing way to get experience when it feels like no one will hire you to get the experience you need.
Think about what you want to do, what skills are required to do that thing, and then search for volunteer opportunities that fill in some of those skill or experience gaps. If you have specific organizations in mind, seek them out. But if you don't know where to even begin, that's ok too! There are some amazing resources out there that pool volunteer opportunities for you to explore and give you ideas. Think of them kind of like LinkedIn but for charities and not-for-profits.
Two amazing resources that I have personally used to find volunteer opportunities are Charity Village and Volunteer Toronto. Other cities and communities have similar boards, I am just sharing the ones I have used. Consider Google your friend here.
After all these years, volunteer work remains a valuable avenue for me to gain new experiences and explore new skills. If you aren't getting certain experience at your job, find it elsewhere. If you embrace this powerful avenue in your journey, you'll be surprised at the doors that will open.
Marie