How can I use my geography skills to volunteer?

Volunteering has many benefits: the experience and skills you gain as a volunteer help your resume stand out among the rest; you may gain exposure to practical aspects of geography you have only studied about, or never heard of at all; you will likely meet people who share similar interests with you; and you will discover opportunities to help others. This article describes how six university-level geography graduates benefited from their volunteer experiences.

Volunteers in geography are called upon to be research assistants, activity coordinators, tutors and mentors, guides, trash collectors, writers, photographers, gardeners, disaster responders, conservationists, administrators, community developers, and outreach officers—just to name a few roles.

So where are these volunteer opportunities? Some opportunities have been listed below to help you start your search.

Tutoring/Mentoring Programs

Many geography students rely on the experience and knowledge of tutors and mentors to achieve their academic goals. Programs like the one below connect students with tutors. Teaching opportunities also exist for summer school or club volunteers.

Pathways to Education

http://www.pathwaystoeducation.ca/en/take-action/volunteer

Local NGOs and Government Organizations

Local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and government organizations are often looking for volunteers with a geography background. Visit the websites below for links to organizations that are involved in issues such as the environmental restoration, conservation, and disaster relief.

Evergreen Brick Works

http://www.evergreen.ca/get-involved/volunteer

Central Lake Ontario Conservation

http://cloca.ca/volunteer/index.php

Canadian Red Cross

http://www.redcross.ca/volunteer/who-is-needed/disaster-response-volunteers

Samaritan’s Purse

http://samaritanspurse.ca/rss/disaster-relief/canada/samaritans-purse-disaster-relief-in-canada/#.VXc12s93l8E

Parks Canada

http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/agen/vol-ben/index.aspx

The links below provide information on other types of volunteer opportunities with organizations in Canada.

Volunteer for Environmental Organizations in Ontario

http://www.canadian-universities.net/Volunteer/Environment-Ontario.html

Goodwork.ca

http://www.goodwork.ca/volunteer

Canadian Environmental Network

http://volunteer.rcen.ca/

University websites are also useful sources of volunteer opportunities.

Organizations Abroad

Visit the websites below to explore volunteer opportunities overseas that involve conservation and community development.

Volunteer Environmental Conservation Abroad

http://www.projects-abroad.ca/projects/conservation-and-environment/

Habitat for Humanity Global Village

http://www.habitatglobalvillage.ca/

Cuso International

http://www.cusointernational.org/volunteer/about-volunteering

World University Service of Canada

http://wusc.ca/en/volunteer-overseas

Create Your Own Volunteer Opportunities

You can create your own volunteer experiences at school or in your community. If there is a geography club at school, you can volunteer to organize the activities, or take notes during the meeting. You could organize a reduce/reuse/recycle program at school, or a clean-up of public land in your community on Earth Day. Volunteering opportunities will differ according to your local communities. Think of other ways you could use your geography skills to help your school or community.