Why Volunteering May Be the Best Thing You Do During Your Career Break
It wasn’t until I dove into my volunteer role at my children’s school that I realized my contributions also served me in a time that I had paused my career to focus on family life. Here’s why stay-at-home moms should volunteer.
Source: Gautam Arora
When my oldest started preschool—a school I loved and was so excited to join—my youngest was still a newborn. I was in cocooning mode, which meant outside of pickup and drop-off, I skirted any other commitments. I was focused solely on enjoying the newborn phase, and quality time with my preschooler.
The next year, when I felt ready to rejoin the world in a larger way, I committed to stepping up and into the community. So I took on all the things that felt appealing—class parent, volunteer for the winter fair, and community outreach on behalf of the school.
There were definitely times that I felt less-than-rosy about the commitment, like when I was setting up the school winter fair until midnight! But by and large, I was so pleased to have shared my time and energy in a volunteer capacity, and grateful for the small impact I made on a place that was investing in my child. But it wasn’t until I really dove into my volunteer roles at school that I realized the contributions I was making also served me in a time that I had paused my career to focus on family life.
Why Stay-at-Home Moms Should Volunteer
Socialization
Every environment and social circle brings out a little something different in us. That said, entering into different spaces and communities is a practice I’ve appreciated and pushed myself to do at different times in my life. Doing so allows me to hone my skills making conversation, building friendships, navigating conflict, and everything in between. Additionally, the connections we make today, might just be the springboard we need to discover our next chapter.
Organizational practice
It’s often thought that when you step out of the traditional workforce, certain skills that once came easily begin to atrophy without regular use. Organizing groups of people, even if they’re parents at your kid’s school, takes diligence, patience, political savvy, etc. Other volunteer roles might require project management, bookkeeping, or simple calendar-keeping—all skills you can build during a career break that may give you a leg up if and when you rejoin the paid workforce.
Networking
Some of the most powerful friendships I’ve made began in my new mom circuit after my oldest was born. I have no doubt that similar connections, even if they don’t seem obvious today, will reveal themselves in the friendships and acquaintances I’m making through volunteering. After all, I have one guaranteed and powerful shared interest with these people—children! This natural bond makes it easier to connect, and so it feels natural to suggest a coffee date to learn about a particular company or field down the line. Everyone you meet today helps expand your network, which can be mutually beneficial as you plan what comes next for you.
