Introduction
So, it’s come to that point in your university experience where you have to decide “what next?”. Some people will have already drawn up a shortlist of the investment banks or accountancy firms they’re going to apply to. Others will be planning a spot of backpacking around Asia, Australia or Latin America. Some may be planning to stay on for further study and some will have absolutely no idea what they’re going to do (by far the largest group). So what about you??

As you’ve arrived at this page, you’re one of a rapidly growing number of students considering volunteering. Volunteering can be one of the most rewarding and enlightening ways of spending your gap year, and often combines elements of travel, work, giving something back and adding valuable skills and experiences to your CV. The interest in, and opportunities for, volunteering have grown considerably in the past 5-10 years, with placements available in pretty much every country on earth, encompassing every aspect of non-profit work.

Volunteering can provide a wonderful, fulfilling and challenging alternative to jumping into the desk-bound, suit-wearing workforce, while providing real world experience. However, if you’re considering volunteering, you should realise that most placements will expect a level of work and commitment equal to that of any paying job. Competition for the most popular volunteering opportunities can also be likened to the competition for the most prestigious graduate jobs. However, although the work is often hard, and there is little to no financial reimbursement, the skills you learn and the experiences you encounter as a volunteer are highly valued.

Which volunteering opportunity is right for me?
As we’ve already said, there are a vast number of different types of opportunities available to willing volunteers these days, across areas such as teaching, micro-finance, medical aid, peacekeeping, business advice, village building projects etc. Make no bones about it, the decision to volunteer is a commitment that should not be taken lightly. Often you will be asked to commit to a minimum of three months with an organization, so the choices you make now in deciding on your placement are crucial in maximizing what you are able to get out of the experience.

In order to find the right opportunity for you, it is important to ask yourself one crucial question: what exactly are you hoping to get out of the experience? If you have a particular area of expertise or set of skills (e.g. medicine, teaching etc.) you may already know the type of volunteering placement you would like to pursue. However, if you have no particular specialist skills, there are still a wide range of volunteering opportunities available. Often your volunteering decision is a very delicate balance between doing something that greatly benefits those who you are working to help, and doing something that provides you with the personal challenges and experiences that you are looking for.

For example, many NGOs would dearly love year-long volunteers in their UK offices to help out with essential but mundane areas like admin, accounting etc. This is greatly beneficial to the charity, and the people they are helping, but it lacks on the personal experience side for the volunteer. On the other end of the spectrum there are a number of organizations, who offer volunteers the opportunity to build a school/playground in a developing nation that may be amazing experiences for the volunteer involved, but ultimately are not an efficient use of voluntary time and money.

Of course, it is possible to have an amazing experience while also having a major impact on the community, but it is necessary to really consider what is being offered by the variety of volunteering opportunities available. There are now a huge number of organizations out there, competing for your services (and in many cases, competing for the cash you are willing to hand over to provide these) so it is important to do your research to make sure the commitment of your time and money is being used in the most efficient manner.

Choosing an organisation to volunteer with
As we have already pointed out, along with the well-established volunteering agencies (VSO etc.) the sector has expanded with many lesser recognisable organisations offering placements. Many of these are reputable organisations that have simply taken the opportunity to reach a wider volunteer pool via the internet but, as with any area where money is involved, there are also those organizations that are there just to make a quick buck.

Below is a checklist of a few questions to ask of an organisation you are considering applying to:

• Are you a non-profit organization?
  
• Please can you provide me with a breakdown of how my volunteering fee will be spent?
  
• Please can you provide me with details of the salary of the CEO in the last financial year?
  
• Please can you provide me with contact details of previous volunteers that would be willing to talk to me about their experiences?
  

Latitude Global Volunteering is an international youth development charity that has been sending young people on long term, challenging and adventurous voluntary placements worldwide for nearly forty years.
Global Volunteer Network - place volunteers in community projects in China, Ecuador, Ghana, Nepal, Romania, Russia, Thailand, and Uganda.
i-to-i are an international non-profit orgranisation specialising in volunteer placements abroad.
volunteer overseas - Original Volunteers offers you the opportunity to volunteer overseas on a range of over 100 volunteer projects in 18 countries around the world.
Quest Overseas - run conservation projects and expeditions in Africa and South America.
Raleigh International - run environmental and community projects around the world.
Turtle conservation project Malaysia - help save sea turtles at the Help Our Penyu sea turtle conservation project in Malaysia.
VSO is an international development charity that works through volunteers.
VentureCo Worldwide specialise in gap year expeditions, education and voluntary work in South and Central America, India and Nepal.
Volunteer 4 Africa is a comprehensive source of affordable volunteer work opportunities for backpackers, gap year students and independent travellers.
Volunteer in Asia - sea turtle conservation or teach English in Borneo, plus many other responsible volunteering options in Asia.
Volunteer Latin America is an informative gateway to hundreds of environmental and humanitarian organisations throughout the region that provide a source of affordable voluntary work and internships.
Volunteer Work Thailand is a comprehensive source of volunteer ideas and free volunteer work in Thailand.
Working Abroad - this site has information about doing voluntary work abroad.

Australian working holiday visas