• Topics: Family Youth and Community Sciences  | Garrison, Selena T  | Gutter, Michael S  |  Spence, Lynda M  |  Finding a Job  |  Volunteer Development 

Managing in Tough Times: Building Your Assets by Volunteering and Networking¹

When we face difficult economic times as an individual or as a family, it is easy to get caught up in stress and uncertainty. It can also be difficult to see the "light at the end of the tunnel" or to focus on opportunities for success throughout the process. When hours are cut back, there is job insecurity, or job loss altogether; then changes must be made. Throughout uncertain economic times, it is important to utilize resources. Two often overlooked resources include opportunities for networking and volunteerism. These resources can be a major catalyst in finding a job, as well as an alternative source of income, and even a strong networking support system. Through networking and volunteerism opportunities new people are met, job skills fostered, and you market yourself to your community and potential employers.

Exploring Your Volunteering Resources

Keep in mind that networking and volunteering may be accomplished together at the same time. Through volunteering, you can build a network of friends, coworkers, and potential employers, all the while learning job skills and giving back to the community. It is important to consider your skills, your abilities, the goals that you would like to achieve through volunteering, as well as the potential volunteer sites in your community.

Considering Your Skills and Abilities

"Think outside the box." Even if you have very little work history, you may have learned very important employment skills through previous volunteering or taking care of your family (i.e. time management, conflict resolution, organizational skills, money management, etc.). Use the following chart (Table 1) to help organize your skills and abilities.

Considering Your Goals

It is important to think of short-, medium-, and long-term goals. Short-term goals are those that you want to happen within the next few days or weeks. Medium-term goals happen within the next few months to a year. Long-term goals happen within the next year and beyond. Writing down your goals is the important first step to achieving them. Think of personal goals, financial goals, business goals, family goals, etc. Goals should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Adaptable, Realistic, and Timely. Use the following chart (Table 2) to help organize your goals.

Considering Potential Volunteer Sites

Regardless of where you live, it is likely that there is an abundance of potential organizations for which you can volunteer. Using the phone book, internet, friends, TV, and radio can lead to some good volunteer sites. Make a list of all the potential places where you could volunteer in your community. Potential ideas include:

• Schools

• Summer Camps

• Religious Organizations

• After-school Programs

• Sports Programs

• Nonprofit Organizations

• Community Agencies

• Tutoring

• Animal Shelters

• Hospitals

• Offices of professions in which you are interested

• Youth Organizations (Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, etc.)

• Humane Society

There are many options. Remember to think outside the box finding all potential places to volunteer. Next, rank them in order of interest to you. Use the following chart (Table 3) to help you organize your thoughts about your top five sights of interest.

Exploring Your Networking Resources

There are many online resources that are also available for networking purposes. Through online networking, you can find old and new friends, search for potential employers, post your resume and credentials, and open up a new world of personal and career opportunities. There are many free services available to you. The following chart (Table 4) will give you a few examples:

These are just a sample of the online resources available to you! The list of job boards is almost endless, and by using a search engine such as Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc., you are bound to find a job board or networking site that meets your needs. As you find jobs that interest you, it is important to keep track of them. Use the following chart (Table 5) to help!

Conclusion

During tough times and job loss it is important to explore all available opportunities for networking. Be proactive and persistent as you proactively pursue a network through volunteer opportunities, other person-to-person efforts, or through the Internet—you will not only expand your job opportunities, but also you will gain confidence and momentum because you are approaching your situation proactively. After all, a good offense is the best defense.

For more information on how to manage in tough times, contact your local Extension Office or visit http://solutionsforyourlife.com/families_and_consumers/money_matters/managing_in_tough_times.html.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean.

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