Quotes from student volunteers
Below is a short selection of recent feedback recieved by the GET Volunteering Team from student volunteers about what their experiences have given them.
" [The best thing about volunteering is] having a taste of how to put the theory you learn in the class room to practical use and it also allows you to decide on which area you feel you should focus when you come to look for a career. "
“ (The best thing about volunteering is) having a taste of how to put the theory you learn in the class room to practical use and it also allows you to decide on which area you feel you should focus when you come to look for a career. “
“ Working within an area of law has given me an insight to the legal process. ”
“ My final year project is actually on building a steam engine and the naval ship I work on is based on the principle of a steam turbine so it helped me with my project. I was able to appreciate the engineering thermodynamic standards back in the 1940’s. "
“ Since I started volunteering I have had positive responses from other places regarding work experience placements. ”
“ [The best thing about volunteering is] discovering that I had the makings of a good teacher and using the experience to successfully get into teacher training. ”
“ Volunteering may not happen in a place where you want to work in the future but it provides you with relevant skills which will benefit you in the working world with your dream career in the future. For instance for me youth work is not related to economics at all but I learnt skills and learnt how to deal with situations at work which I was able to explain in my interviews and got myself a good job which is related to economics. So volunteering will also make you stand out in front of employers. ”
“ I have developed my team working and time management skills as well as more practical skills such as maintaining different tools. On the one off Challenge Event, as I was leading the mural painting side of the project, it helped develop my project leader skills such as assigning work to others. ”
“ When I first started, and I moved to London, I got to go to different places that I’d never been to. I worked with lots of different people, learning a lot about and from them. Through this I’ve been building a list of contacts and resources, and done some useful networking. ”
“ My self confidence has improved a lot as have my organisational and communication skills. Although the challenges were nothing to do with my course, I found that they enabled me to develop a number of transferable skills which I will be able to take with me in whatever job I decide to do. ”
“ As you’re applying yourself you’re learning, you’re able to put those things in your CV, you’re able to have real-world experiences that you would not have had if you had just done your course and started looking for a job, so it’s kind of a transition into an actual working environment and then you get to be able to do things that even some of your mates that are in the same level cannot do, so I’d definitely advise taking part in the volunteering scheme, it’s something good for every student. ”
“ I learnt that giving something back to the community makes a big difference. ”
“ My self confidence has improved a lot, as have my organisational and communication skills. ”
“ You meet new people from all walks of life. I have no doubt that this experience will help me get a job. ”
“ I have developed my team working and time management skills. ”
“ I am applying for jobs and I can use [my volunteering] to show employers that I have commitment and reliability. ”
“ I worked with lots of different people, learning a lot about and from them. Through this I’ve been building a list of contacts and resources, and have done some useful networking. ”
“ I work with a boy from the Congo who doesn’t speak English. The teachers are very inspiring. In terms of employability, everyone these days has a degree. You need to be one step ahead. I feel that I’m thinking ahead by volunteering. ”
“ I’ve made some great friends through volunteering. I’ve met like-minded people who are passionate about what they do. That’s really nice. ”
“ My final year project is actually on building a steam engine and the naval ship I volunteer on is based on the principle of a steam turbine so it helped me with my project. ”