Career breaks, heartbreaks and a change of heart! When a change is better than a rest.

 

Anyone who has taken a career break knows that getting back to work can be a tricky on many levels. There is an added complication when you take into account the speed at which innovation in technology is moving.

A volunteer role can give you that vital boost in confidence and a more gentle (usually!) re-introduction to working disciplines.

Many professionals in the technical field may need to or desire a change in direction. Ian Cooper, an iT4Communities volunteer, had spent many years in the server room environment and was denying his inner artist. His volunteer position with Learning Through Action helped him update his web design skills and take a change in career direction. A full case study of the project undertaken by Ian can be viewed on the iT4Communities case studies webpages.

There are many ways people can volunteer from a 10 minute telephone advice chat to a 6-month dynamic CMS website project and volunteering can help improve people's skills and boost their CV.

Another iT4Communities volunteer, Matthew Hughes, realised there many charities crying out for the support he could easily give - so signed up as an iT4C volunteer to help. Matthew says:

Whilst I get a great deal of satisfaction from helping others (as well as good Karma) I also realise the great benefit I get on a career level from working with different people up and down the country. I get to build up my web design portfolio whilst helping people improve their web presence.

Our very active volunteers will be aware of these benefits. For newer volunteers who would like to benefit their careers and improve their skills, we recommend having a look at the hundreds of opportunities available on the RSS Feed or use the website search. Once you find a charity you click with you can start creating the solution, and remember that you're not committed until you wish to be.