There are two main pursuits to which I have dedicated my life: the act of helping other people and the equally sacred art of shopping. Once I graduate from college, it’s my ambition to get a charity job in a non-for-profit organisation and to make sure I stand the best chance of achieving gainful employment, I was told that I had to volunteer for charitable work as much as I could. The trouble was I didn’t know where to start. I gave it some thought and, as I was passing by an Oxfam shop window populated by embarrassed-looking paisley-clad mannequins, I suddenly knew I had found my calling.
The First & Last Rule Of Philanthropy: Work What You Love
“This business is tough and we don’t have time for martyrs. Live it, Love it or Leave it.”
This rather rhythmic advice was given to me by Terri, the large and elaborately tattooed woman who runs the the soup kitchen where I volunteer once a week and I think it’s the best advice anyone’s ever given me about jobs, and indeed about life in general. Human beings are pretty amazing but we all have finite resources and if you force yourself into doing charitable work that you are not suited for and do not enjoy on some level then no matter how worthy the cause, you’re going to burn out. Charities benefit from kindness but they run on consistency. When I saw the mannequins my heart leapt because I knew that I had found something that I could to do to help people that I would effortlessly enjoy. I was going to use my fashion acumen to help turn my rather dowdy Oxfam into a place people would be excited to spend money in.
Working The Floor
So what does working in a charity shop entail? Well, I volunteer 15 hours a week in store for which I am unpaid, although Oxfam does contribute to my transportation costs – this is not unusual and is worth asking about if you find yourself volunteering in a similar position. During the 15 hours, I am usually out working the shop floor, operating the till and taking customer donations. I do love a bit of till work and I am one of the proud few that actually feel comfortable using the credit card machine. Training was given but it was fairly minimal – the most difficult part of the job is arranging to have larger items delivered to customer’s homes as this often involves a great deal of cross referencing and referring to scribbled pencil notes stuck to the counter. One thing this job does teach you is how to utterly style out any situation where you are completely unaware of how to proceed. Certainly you have to be incredibly patient and unafraid to deal with any given situation, even the unpleasant ones – our shop has a secret ‘bell’ system, wherein if one of us spots a potential shoplifter, we ring a doorbell that sounds in the back room and the entire staff start circulating the shop floor like ninjas in order to psyche out the potential thief.
Behind the scenes
However, the best and bulk of my work actually happens once the shop has closed. Every volunteer usually has a specialist subject, be it books, furniture, toys and, in my case, clothing. My job is to go through all the donations and identify the important pieces – designer items, interesting vintage garments and, best of all, the most disquietingly insane 80s garb. The shop plays host to quite a large student clientele so I make sure to keep up with both high fashion and local street style and highlight clothes that are likely to sell quickly and price them according to a sliding scale. I’m also in charge of window dressing and display and I’ve put together some truly awe-inspiring denim themed extravaganzas. The best one was a Japanese-style cityscape with a pair of dungarees playing Godzilla. Live it, love it or leave it. I have never once been late for a shift.
The Future
My best advice for people like me who are at the beginning of their non-profit career is to keep a record of all your pursuits. I’ve got a special binder and I make sure that I note down every time I do something new, unusual or go out of my way. It’s no effort at all, I love my job and it’s creating a portfolio that shows potential employers that I’m organised, creative and ambitious. And happy. And making a difference in the world. Yes, all in all, I have a lot to thank those paisley mannequin for – I really wouldn’t want to be doing anything else and how many people can say that about their career?
Deena Murphy writes about Third Sector jobs and making a living in the not-for-profit sector.
Photo credit: Alinoubigh
Some employers place great value on volunteer work by an applicant. Maybe because it shows the humane side of a person- the compassion and generosity to others. I believe it will bring better weight on your resume, not to mention the good will you are creating and the wisdom the experience gives you.
I admire people who can demands little and puts out so much of themselves in their work. Way to go!
There are people who are so absorbed about earning. Although you cannot really call them selfish, and I think I am guilty, the chance to help people should not be ignored whenever it comes up. You have my admiration. Do you have ideas about online charity works where people can actually participate in?
Thank you!
Melody
When I was in college, I used to work in the publication, I was also a volunteer. And sometimes, it is really great when one works because of the heart and not because of monetary value. When did you start doing charity? Nice post!
Thanks for sharing!
-Kendra
Helping other people is the greatest thing you can do while you are still alive in this world.
I wish people like you could live forever
I am totally agree that life is about sharing something for those who are not capable to feed on their own… This kind of works will bring a huge attachment in one self and feel well compete for a life time…
Volunteering is really good because most people are greedy and they don’t want to contribute or don’t want to help to less privileged people. Though you work for free, you’ll get immense experience and exposure. There was a guy who worked as a volunteer for HIV campaigns in our college and now he is the coordinator in UN South Asia for UN.
It would be great doing something like this, and I admire you for that. I would also want to this in the near future, and I’m really inspired just by reading this entry. How long have you been into charity work? Thanks for sharing. Ir’s truly inspiring.
After reading your post I felt some boost to apply for charity work. Thanks for sharing!
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[...] How I Managed to Find Charity Work I Love [Charity Walks Blog] 0 Comments [...]
I love your post and you really inspire me. We don’t have to be someone else, we only need sincerity to help and make a difference in someone else’s life. Thanks for sharing this with us and keep up the food work.
It’s nice to work with people if you truly love the work itself. If you are not into the money but how to extend your help to others. You are such an inspiration. Keep it up!
Nice post. Though you work for free you’ll get immense experience and exposure. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Where can I found out more about opportunities outside the US?
Great blog. We don’t have to be someone else, we only need sincerity to help and make a difference in someone else’s life. Thanks for sharing.
Great post! In finding a job or a charity work maybe, you should always consider your interest, your ability to help others and finding way how to help them in your own way.
I was doing charity work in East-Africa last year. The Foundation I joined was spreading clothes and shoes for little kids who were just about to start school. I liked it but mentally it’s very hard to live with. One day my pro-bono ended and I just flew back to my continent and continued my regular job. If you are a type of person who can do this without emotions they charity is for you, but I learnt it’s not for me.
I have always wanted to do charity work and to experience that feeling that you are doing something with your life, something good. It’s just that I never knew where to start, never knew which people to talk to and in effect what I can really do. I think I have a lot of talents. The problem is the execution. I like your advice here. Love comes first before the work can be done smoothly and with grace. Thank you! You have given me new inspiration to try and help other people with the use of the untapped talents and potentials God has given me to share to others.
Charity works in many ways, it is one way of showing the humane side in a person, not asking anything in return for the goodness she has given.
I am a stay at home mom, and I want to volunteer. Thanks for the great info and insight!
Charity is a great thing! You give me inspiration. Thanks for this golden advice.
[...] How I Managed To Find Charity Work I Love (over at charitywalksblog.com): Deena Murphy of jobs.thirdsector.co.uk knows the rules of a [...]
How I wish someday I could run my own charity for people in need. But I would like to run a scholarship for kids who wanted to study and those who wanted to have a good life.
It is a nice feeling and good to the heart to help people in need. And I am hoping that someday I could afford to raise a child through charity institution like kids in Africa that really need help.