Earlier this week, a Facebook colleague, messaged me to ask how he might help out more in the community and asked for some suggestions and this is what fell out of me in a stream of consciousness. I thought it would be helpful to you.

1. Start with a faith community you are member of if you are. This is way of investing where you can also get help when you need it.

2. Focus on problem or evil you have passion for. I do lots of career coaching because I fear the evils of poverty and meaningless work.

3. Invest $ in enabling the volunteership of others. I invest in World Vision and tithe at my church for over 20 years now as this enables others.

4. Consistency over time is more important than lots of time at any given point. I have been a volunteer career coach at my church for over 6 years now.

5. Look to serve on a board given your high education and skill level. I serve on a local NAMI board as my son is mentally ill.

6. Engage children & family to multiply the effect as well as to model this life habit for them. I have created skill & resume development opps for my daughter as she works with NAMI and in ministry in our church

7. Volunteer in areas related to your personal and professional development to kill multiple birds with 1 stone. I work at social media, communications and leadership development in my volunteering which I take back to work.

I am a proponent of volunteering as a way to 1) build skills & experience, 2) grow your network, 3) obtain references and resume entries, 4) experiment with career options. I am always amazed at how much my coachees either neglect volunteering as a career opportunity or they volunteer and do not see it as a part of their career.

Please share examples of how you have or plan to use volunteering as the path to a better or different career.