Unpaid voluntary work- only for idealists or for everyone? What are its advantages and drawbacks from the perspective of today's job market?

Unpaid voluntary work is usually work at homes for the eelderly and in orphanages. It is often provided by by people, who want to serve others, idealists, who want to make the world a better place to live for those in need. But it is also work in ordinary companies. Media, advertising are frequently taking up by people, who wish to gain professional experience. Everyone may benefit from it in different ways.

There are many advantages of unpaid voluntary work. Firstly it serves the needs of the people, who really require it and benefit from it. Secondly it helps volunteers realize their personal goals, The idealistics need to serve, to give part of themslves- their time and energy- to others, who can appreciate it. Moreover it gives the employee additional experience, which may become a grest advantage, e.g. new skills and abilities are learned, and character and perfonality may be developed and tested. Furthermore it may convince the employer, that the voluntary worker is a reliable person, who deserves a fully paid employment contract.

On the other hand there are some drawbacks. The most important disadvantage is the fact, that these work does not bring financial profit, so the person needs to have some other means of support. Moreover serving others may be a very demanding challenge that requires a lot of patience and a particular strenght of character which the volunteer may doscover he or sho does not possess.

Concluding, voluntary work is often taken up in addition to another form of employment, and as such it can be a means to fulfil one's need to serve others as well as channel one's energy in a beneficial way. The professional and personal experience gained through it is invaluable and can help us find a job better suited to our skills and expectations. These work demonstrates the person's personal qualities which are valuable on the job market: initiative, responsibility, reliability, trustworthiness, cteativity.