For those readers who are interested in working for non-profits but don’t know where to begin, we focus today on ways to find the right volunteer opportunity for you. Next week, we’ll take a look from the non-profit side on how to recruit (and keep) great volunteers.

You know you’d like to volunteer and make the world a better place, but where do you begin? With so many great causes that need help, it can be difficult to pin down where you should dedicate your time and efforts. Think about what problems resonate for you.  Do you feel strongly about poverty, children, animals, or the environment? Concentrate on the issues you care about, then find and research the organizations that deal with your passion. Contact the ones you like for more information on how you can volunteer.

Think about what skills you can offer and how you can best share your particular gifts with the community.  Even though volunteering is about helping other people, you don’t want to end up participating in an activity you absolutely hate. You should choose an opportunity that will be fulfilling for you as well as beneficial to others.

Before you commit to anything, consider how much time you are able to give to volunteering. Don’t commit yourself for more than you can handle! It is better to start small with one or two activities. You can always decide to do more once you get a feel for what’s right for you.  You also don’t need to go abroad or drastically change your life to volunteer. There are many organizations that need assistance right in your own hometown.

Realize that while volunteering you will inevitably encounter challenges. You may at times be faced with boredom, lack of organization, or unpleasant tasks. These issues may be resolved with time or you may need to look into another activity or organization. Don’t give up. Eventually you will find the right volunteer work for you.