A key component of community life, volunteer work is defined as any activity where individuals volunteer their time or efforts without monetary compensation. People volunteer for a variety of reasons, including the desire to make a difference, the development of new skills and the opportunity to connect with others. Understanding these motivations is critical to appreciating the value of volunteer work.

Whether it’s running an event or providing counselling, volunteers are a vital part of many organisations. Volunteering can provide invaluable professional experience in a particular area of employment and help you develop skills that you can carry into your career.

Some popular types of volunteer work include disaster relief, environmental conservation and youth and special needs support. These roles may be physically challenging but can also be very rewarding.

Other common types of volunteer work include helping with major nonprofit-hosted events and assisting animals in shelters. These roles often appeal to those who want to get a behind-the-scenes look at how large scale events run.

Many animal lovers enjoy volunteering in wildlife protection or rehabilitation projects. These types of projects can involve tasks such as bird-watching, counting penguins on Phillip Island or rescuing possums, lizards and turtles from wildlife rescue centres. Some animal-related volunteers also seek out fostering or training guide dog opportunities which can be done from home. This type of volunteering can be a great way to get a hands-on experience in the field of veterinary science while still pursuing your medical career goals.