How can you stay up-to-date on industry trends through volunteering?

- Networking comes automatically if you're learning and doing better by your end. A good organisation will help you connect with people having greater achievements and more experience building both your technical and soft skills. - Always choose the right volunteering position and don't push for random certifications or badges. Only certain certifications are recognised in the industry, so focusing on the skill and doing impactful work is what matters.

When you choose an organization to support through your volunteer efforts, it's important to ensure that there's alignment between your altruistic goals -- i.e., the impact you want to make -- and your personal goals -- i.e., what you hope to learn or how you would like to benefit from the experience. If you can find an opportunity where your contributions are badly needed and you can also derive some personal benefit, it's a win-win. And this alignment will keep you engaged in a deeper way with the organization and the work.

- Volunteering doesn't require the skill set or experience, it only requires the heart. If you're highly interested in something, then it does not matter if you are a professional or a novice, just look for different open on-site/off-site opportunities which can get you started. - If finding opportunities is getting harder then contact your connections or try visiting the website of different organisations.

- You should be keen to learn, only a genuine thrive can push you towards your goal. - Do not hesitate to ask questions or discuss any ideas with the seniors. It helps in ideation and better solution. - Try forming a better relationship with others, it helps you perform better with your role. - Discord community has helped me a lot personally. Try joining community channels of different organisations and apt to the work they do, you can always see and learn. - Be updated with the industry news and technology, it's always good to have something to talk about.

- Volunteering helps you in becoming better by adding practical knowledge to your previous learning. - Recognise what you were able to solve and where you were able to add a significant value. Ask for feedback and apply it to your work life.

- Adding volunteering experience to your resume highlights your interest for a particular sector. - Try adding the significance you made by joining the team, and how you help others with your skill and knowledge. - Adding the name of the organisation and the work in your profile is certainly going to help you in securing a better position at a specific job.

Make the most of your volunteer efforts to grow your professional network. Make connections with other volunteers who work in your sector and can offer firsthand knowledge. After the volunteer work is over, stay in touch with these people by sending opportunities or articles that are relevant. Build ties with the nonprofit's board and employees as well, as they probably have important contacts and experience. To stay up to date on projects, difficulties, and innovations pertaining to their mission area, sign up for the organization's newsletter and follow them on social media. Speaking at conferences and volunteer activities increases visibility as well. You will learn more from a the larger and more active your network of volunteers is.