The Power of Volunteering in the Office: How I Gained Leadership, Networking, and Lifelong Friendships
Have you ever thought about how volunteering could impact your career in ways you never expected?
In today’s competitive job market, career growth often requires more than just performing your job well. One of the most powerful and overlooked strategies for professional development is volunteering. Whether it’s within your company or for a cause close to your heart, volunteer work offers a treasure trove of experiences that can shape your career in ways you might not have imagined.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with professionals at all stages of their journey. One consistent theme that has stood out is the tremendous impact that volunteer opportunities, especially within the workplace, can have on both career advancement and personal growth.
Volunteering isn’t just about giving back—it’s a tool for learning, leadership, networking, and creating lasting connections.
Here’s how embracing volunteer opportunities can open doors for you and accelerate your career.
Why Volunteering in the Workplace is a Game-Changer
When you think of volunteering, you might imagine helping at a charity or working with a non-profit.
But workplace volunteering—taking on roles that go beyond your job title—has a special set of benefits that directly impact your career trajectory.
The Hidden Leadership Skills You Gain from Volunteering
Initially, volunteering was a way to simply contribute to something I believed in.
But as I became more involved, I realised that it was also an incredible leadership training ground.
From organising Pride events to leading internal discussions on inclusion, I found myself managing teams, coordinating activities, and making decisions that affected not just the event but the culture of the organisation.
It wasn’t just about attending meetings—it was about stepping up, taking responsibility, and leading others toward a shared goal.
One of the most memorable moments was when I spearheaded a company-wide Pride Month initiative. I had to create a team from scratch, delegate tasks, and keep everyone motivated. The event was a massive success where we managed to secure 150 people to march in the Belfast Pride parade, and I gained recognition not only from my colleagues but from senior leadership. This experience taught me the value of teamwork, clear communication, and leading with empathy.
The confidence I built from leading those initiatives directly translated into my professional life. Today, when faced with tough challenges, I draw on those leadership lessons and feel empowered to take charge, regardless of the situation.
Writing and Communicating with Impact
Volunteering gave me the chance to fine-tune my communication skills—especially writing.
Whether it was crafting emails to rally colleagues for an event, creating social media contentto raise awareness, or writing newsletters about our organisation's goals, I was constantly working on improving how I communicated.
One of my most rewarding projects was writing a campaign for an LGBTQ+ awareness day.
I had to ensure that the message was both compelling and sensitive, appealing to a broad audience while remaining true to the core values of the LGBTQ+ community.
The feedback I received was overwhelmingly positive, and I realized that my ability to write with purpose and empathy had grown exponentially through volunteering. These communication skills didn’t just help me in my volunteer role—they translated directly into my professional work. Whether I’m writing an email to a client or drafting a proposal for a project, I now know how to craft my message with clarity, empathy, and impact.
Event Planning: From Ideas to Execution
Another benefit of volunteering in the office was the opportunity to plan and execute events. Event planning might sound intimidating, but with the support of a great team, it became one of the most rewarding aspects of my volunteer experience.
I was involved in organising everything from educational seminars to social events that brought people together to celebrate diversity.
One of the largest events I helped organise was a corporate Pride Parade, which involved months of planning, coordinating logistics, working with vendors, and managing a team of volunteers.
What I learned through event planning was how to manage multiple moving parts, stick to a budget, and adjust plans on the fly when things didn’t go as expected. These are invaluable skills that have made me a more organised and strategic professional. Plus, there’s no feeling like seeing an event come to life and knowing that you helped make it happen.
Building a Community of Like-Minded Colleagues
One of the most unexpected—and wonderful—outcomes of my volunteer work was the community I built. Volunteering introduced me to colleagues who shared my passion for diversity and inclusion, and over time, these colleagues became friends.
We supported each other, shared experiences, and leaned on one another both at work and outside the office.
It’s a rare thing to find such a supportive, inclusive community in a corporate environment, but volunteering created that space for me.
These friendships have lasted beyond my volunteer roles. Many of the colleagues I met during my volunteer work are still some of my closest friends today, and we continue to support one another’s personal and professional growth.
A Safe Space for Experimentation and Growth
The beauty of volunteering in the office is that it offers a safe space to try new things—things that may not be part of your regular job but still have an impact on your personal development.
From experimenting with different types of communication to leading projects outside of your usual scope, volunteering gives you the freedom to stretch your skills and learn what works.
For example, I tried my hand at sourcing funding and prizes for a charity event, which was outside my comfort zone. I learned quickly how to engage with volunteers and ask for budget in challenging times leading to new perspective on marketing and selling the benefits of supporting LGBTQ+ charities.
Volunteering allowed me to experiment without the pressure of failure, and in doing so, I grew professionally.
Conclusion: Why You Should Volunteer in Your Office
Volunteering in the office isn’t just about giving back to the community—it’s also about giving to yourself. It offers you the chance to develop leadership skills, build valuable connections, enhance your communication abilities, and most importantly, create a community of supportive colleagues.
If you're wondering whether volunteering is worth the investment of your time and energy—take it from me: It absolutely is. You never know where it might take you. It could help you build the skills and relationships you need to propel your career forward, or even lead to lifelong friendships that extend beyond the office.
How Volunteering Can Shape Your Career Path
Volunteering isn’t just about doing something good for others—it’s also about your own personal growth. By actively seeking out volunteer opportunities within your organisation or in areas that align with your values, you can develop critical skills, make meaningful connections, and create opportunities for career advancement.
As a career navigation specialist, I’ve seen firsthand how volunteering leads to unexpected professional benefits. Whether you're looking to pivot into a new role or grow within your current organisation, volunteering helps you build a well-rounded skill set that can be incredibly valuable in your career journey.
Take Action: What Volunteer Opportunities Are You Exploring?
I encourage you to reflect on how volunteering can benefit your career.
Look for opportunities within your workplace or your community that align with your interests and goals.
Reach out to colleagues, explore initiatives, and offer your time and expertise. Whether you're interested in event planning, leadership, or networking, there’s always something you can contribute that will help you grow professionally and personally.
