I volunteer with Enactus Teesside which is part of Enactus UK. There’s a multitude of reasons as to why I decided to volunteer for this organisation. It’s a fantastic opportunity to make an impact on your local communities through helping in areas your passionate about, in addition to gaining valuable experience that can be transposed to the workplace upon graduation of university. Furthermore, it’s a brilliant example of something that can be put on your CV that employers will be looking for, and through Enactus and their business partners, such as Amazon, HSBC and ERAC, you can make many connections and open up plenty of doors in relation to a career.

As Vice President of Engagement, a typical day in my role involves communication, usually via email to our current project partner, 2B Arts and Crafts, to ensure our project is running as expected. I also have to keep in contact with our business advisors, keeping them up to date on our projects, arranging monthly zoom meetings, creating monthly newsletters as well as asking them for advice on any issues we may be having. In addition to this, my role includes keeping communication going throughout our own team, and thus I constantly update the team on special events that Enactus offer, post grad fast track schemes offered to Enactus members exclusively and so on. I upload all evidence of our projects, communication, logistics and so on to our shared google drive account for ease of access when needed. 

Through Volunteering I’ve learnt how to conduct myself in a professional and courteous manner, something employers are looking for. I’ve also learnt how to make valuable in industry connections with people from many different backgrounds, in addition to gathering a taste as to what its like to work for a company without having to secure a placement. These things include what the day to day expectations are, for example how to formulate professional emails, responding to emails within a certain time frame, completing monthly engagement reports and thus time management of all this.  

I enjoy the opportunities that Enactus UK have given me, such as the chance to attend the national expo in London to network with well-established companies like amazon. I also enjoy the opportunity to make an impact on our local communities within Middlesbrough, through our Engage project with 2B Arts and Crafts, which allows for any elderly people who may be vulnerable, lonely, or isolated to come down to the centre and form a community whilst developing their skills in the arts.

If I was to give any advice on volunteering I’d say take up any opportunity you can that offers you the chance to broaden your horizons as much as possible, and don’t be afraid to actively participate in projects or take on a leadership role as it’ll really help to maximize your development of skills and improve your cv for employers.  

Upon graduation, I'm looking to take a gap year and Graduate Training Schemes, a well as considering a return for a Masters.

I have also taken part in the mentoring scheme offered by Teesside University last year, and as Vice President of Engagement, I have had my own ERAC mentor throughout the year to assist with managing the team, in addition to completing monthly ERAC challenges, which will lead to an extra qualification upon completion of the year in my current role.

I feel as if I’ve developed my skills in time management, communication, project management, technical skills such as the use of excel, word and teams, and in industry expectations.

I would absolutely recommend volunteering. If you’re looking for something to enhance your CV, want to make a difference within local communities, enjoy volunteering, and want to build long lasting connections and relationships within big companies such as ERAC, amazon, HSBC and so on, then this is a fantastic opportunity to do so.