Today we have a guest post from Grace, a 2nd year English Language and Linguistics student currently completing a work placement in our team…
Hi everyone! My name is Grace and I’m a second year currently doing a work placement with Careers and Student Opportunities as part of my English Language and Linguistics degree. One of the main things I have been focusing on during my time at Careers is volunteering and researching what opportunities are available to students.
There are so many fantastic benefits to volunteering such as…
- building confidence
- meeting new people
- enhancing your CV
- gaining experience
All of these skills make you more employable! There is a volunteer role suitable for everyone at York St John University. I have put together a few voluntary organisations that can be beneficial to your degree to demonstrate this.
School of Psychology and Social Sciences
There are opportunities available with York Mind, City of York Council and Changing Lives that are appropriate for students studying counselling and other social sciences. There are roles such as being a support service volunteer to people with dementia and their carers, mentoring ex-offenders and being a student ambassador for a charity.
School of Education
There are opportunities to volunteer in local Scouts and Girl Guide units as an assistant leader and there are mentor positions in Haxby Road Primary School. These opportunities can give you experience working with children in general and help you become familiar with a school environment.
School of Humanities, Religion and Philosophy
For those of you studying History there are voluntary positions as room guides and visitor welcome volunteers in National Trust buildings around York. The Conservation Volunteers in York and the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust would be great for Geography students who would like to help on local outdoor projects. For Religion and Philosophy students there are many volunteers wanted at York Minster.
York Business School
Volunteers are wanted to help with market research, administration support and events in Jorvick, The National Trust, Explore York Libraries and Macmillan Cancer Support. These roles are particularly helpful for students interested in a career in marketing and events management.
School of Health Sciences
Organisations like Marie Curie, Macmillan Cancer Support, Healthwatch, and RNIB are advertising various support roles; they want someone to participate in activities with patients and take them on day trips. Additionally York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has several long term opportunities such as clinic and department liaison.
School of Sport
Volunteers are wanted to take part in the Dialysis Games at Haxby Road Sports Centre on 21st May. This is a day full of fun and sports to support and fundraise for adults with kidney disease and their families. Activities include archery, badminton, cycling and bowls to name a few. This can offer you a chance to participate in a local community event, integrate with the public and boost your awareness of people with long-term health conditions.
School of Performance and Media Production
Currently York Theatre Royal is advertising for music and theatre students to take part in their annual TakeOver festival which is always great fun! The National Centre for Early Music always welcomes volunteers and offers roles such as events assistants and arts administration.
School of Art, Design and Computer Science
The National Coal Mining Museum in Wakefield is looking for volunteer artists and crafters to join their team. There are also many organisations looking for administrative assistants and office support for example The National Trust which would be useful to Computer Science students to work in an office setting.
School of Languages and Linguistics
There are writers wanted at The National Coal Mining Museum who want creative contributions to their current exhibits. York Calling, an online music blog, is looking for a deputy head writer, writer and assistant editor for work placements. These opportunities would be very useful in terms of writing for a professional company.
All of these volunteer positions are on the Jobs and Opportunities website, so go check them out! https://pcn.prospects.ac.uk/yorksj/login
This article was written by Grace Lelliott on 24th April 2017.
All of the volunteering opportunities mentioned in this article were live on the date of publication.