Volunteering Your Way Upthe Career Ladder

Todd DeLucaTechCommTodd

Rochester Chapter

About the Speaker

• Technical Communicator for 15 Years (Software Development)

• Master’s Degree in Tech Comm• Senior-level Technical Writer• Manager, Tech Comm team• Active STC Volunteer

- Chapter Past President (Philly Metro Chapter)

What is Volunteering ?• Helping out or stepping forward

to assist.• An offer to help (a promise)

thatbecomes a commitment when initiated.

• Completed promise becomes a commitment and builds trust.

• Result is often a contribution to a greater good that is recognized by others and leaves a positive impression.

Where Can You Climb?

Volunteer Opportunities• Charitable organizations• Professional society• Church• School• Sports• Work

What Can You Offer ?• Time = Stand in for others

(temporary fill in)• Effort = Extra pair of hands

(more horsepower)• Information = Share

knowledge (document info)• Expertise = Skills and

experience (mentor or train)

What can you learn ?

Sample Volunteer Skills• Leadership• Project Management• Event Management • Marketing and Promotion

Learn in a ‘safe’ environment while others assist, provide guidance, and share their own experiences.

Why Volunteer ?Reasons to Volunteer• Personal request • Help others / serve a cause• Do the right thing• Address a need• Fix a problem• It feels good to help• Career advancement

Rewards & Benefits• Meet new people =

relationships and friendships (wider network)

• Greater exposure = recognition at work or in community

• Skills and experience = career options and advancement

• Satisfaction = it feels good to help, learn, or grow

RisksThings to Consider• Unfamiliar people or organi-

zation • Losing focus from day job• Not having the required

skills or experience• Worry about meeting expec-

tations• Committing too much time

or effort

What are Some Steps ?Sample Volunteer Activities

• Fund raising• Proposal writing• Event promotion• Leadership• Community outreach• Social committees• Email marketing• Client engagement

Are You Prepared ?What does it take?

• Commitment • Time and Effort• Keeping Promises• Accepting Risk• Stepping Out • Being Enthusiastic

How Do You Start ?Steps to Begin

• Raise your hand• Step forward• Say ‘Yes’• Just do it!

Note: The percentage of people who actively partici-pate is low, so just by volun-teering you already begin to set yourself apart.

Thank You !

Contact Info@TechCommTodd

TechCommTodd@gmail.comTechcommtodd.tumblr.com