These days, employers require applicants to possess the relevant experience for job vacancies, which can be undertaken by choosing to volunteer, applying for an internship or a work placement during one’s academia. These amazing opportunities can lead to paid employment with the same organisation, or develop one’s CV when applying for other suitable roles in the competitive job market. It has been discovered that graduates have struggled to seek employment due to the lack of experience in their field, indicating that a degree alone, even if a first class result has been achieved, is no longer sufficient.

Students are encouraged to make the most of their summer break and search for work-related opportunities that are relevant to their programme. Furthermore, volunteering is ideal for those who wish to change careers and do not have the necessary experience in the area they wish to move into, such as administration and childcare.

Passionate about editing and writing, Ejder joined CommUNITY Barnet as a volunteer over a year ago in order to acquire the necessary experience to enhance his job prospects. His role involves creating blogs, working with social media and using Tweet Deck to schedule important forthcoming events. Moreover, he has updated the Healthwatch websites, and has assisted with improving their search engine results, using Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) techniques. He performed this task by clearly labelling the website images for the benefit of visually impaired users who rely on a screen reader to hear all of the web page contents.

On Saturday 9th April 2016, Ejder participated in a filmed interview conducted by a third-year Media Studies and Journalism university student as part of his studies. During the interview, he discussed his work and career ambitions. In addition, Ejder mentioned one of his successful publications for an online writing competition that he had entered, from a local creative writing group that he is a regular member of, and has achieved full attendance since joining the group three years ago.

To see his online publication for the above competition, go to:

NUHA Foundation Blogging Prizes 2013

You can see Ejder’s work at CommUNITY Barnet at: 

CommUNITY Barnet Blog

For further information on the wide range of fantastic volunteering opportunities available and to get in touch with your queries, click on the following links:

CommUNITY Barnet

CommUNITY Barnet Volunteering

These roles are flexible, and individuals can contribute as little or as much as they are able to. Additionally, volunteering brings a number of benefits:

• Having fun

• Building self-confidence

• Learning new skills

• Helping others

• Obtaining experience to improve job prospects

• Meeting new people and forming new friendships

• Giving back to the community

• Good for your health

CommUNITY Barnet looks forward to hearing from you and helping you to embark on your exciting volunteering journeys.

You have nothing to lose and a whole lot more to gain.