志愿活动让你受益的8种方式

 　　Whether it’s court-ordered community service, required for a class, because you feel it is your duty, or for any other reason, volunteering is an enriching experience. We know that volunteering is a chance to serve others and give back to the community, but we might not see how it affects us and our lives. I would like to propose that volunteering can be more than just dutiful work, but is in fact richly beneficial for you. Here’s how.

　　不论是法院下令的社区服务，还是班级要求，因为你感觉这是你的责任，或是因为任何其它原因，志愿活动是一种充实的经历。我们知道志愿活动是一个服务他人、回报社区的机会，但我们可能没看到它如何影响着我们和我们的生活。我更喜欢说志愿活动不仅仅是一个义务工作，事实上它还非常有益于你。如下面所示。

　　1. You will learn about yourself

　　你会了解自己

　　Investing time in serving the community will stretch you. You will experience challenging personalities¹ and face hard problems. Volunteering is a great way to learn more about yourself in a setting that is new to you. You might learn what you like and dislike about a certain population. You may learn about how your strengths enhance a group or about areas you need to improve. We learn about ourselves constantly in every experience. Volunteering is a great way to gain insight into who you are.

　　为社区服务的投资时间会延伸你。你会经历挑战性的个性以及面对困难。志愿活动是一种在对你是一种新环境下了解自己的好方式。你可能了解到你喜欢或不喜欢某个群体哪些。你可能了解你的力量如何能增强一个团队或你需要改善的地方，我们在每次经历中常常能了解自己。志愿活动是一种洞察自己的好方法。

　　2.You will learn new skills

　　你会学到新技能

　　The great news about volunteering is that, since they aren’t paying you, most places will take just about anyone! By donating some of your time, you are able to learn and practice new skills that may otherwise take money and extra effort to learn. It may be something concrete like gardening or making coffee. It will almost always include skills that are less obvious, such as communication skills or fundraising. Volunteering is a great opporunity to perfect the skills you have and learn something new.

　　关于志愿活动的好消息是，因为他们不会付你工资，所以大多数地方会要任何人。通过牺牲你的一些时间，你能够学习和联系新技能，在别处的话你可能会花钱，还需要额外努力学习。它可能是像园艺或泡咖啡这样具体的事情。它几乎总是包括一些不太明显的技巧，如沟通技巧或筹款。志愿活动是一个完善你拥有的技能以及学习新技能的好机会。

　　3.You will build your resume

　　你会建立自己的简历

　　A perk² of volunteering is adding another valuable line to your resume. Employers like to see community involvement. Having community service on your resume says a lot about who you are. Employers like to see people who are dedicated³ to their community and passionate⁴ for a cause. Your resume will be extra juicy with those volunteer hours attached.

　　活跃的志愿活动会给你的建立增添重要的另一笔。雇主们喜欢看到社区参与。你的简历上有社区服务很能表明你的为人。雇主喜欢看到专门为社区服务以及为一种理由而充满激情的人。有着这些志愿服务时间，你的简历会更吸引人。

　　4.You will make friends with different types of people你会和不同类型的人交朋友

　　When you decide to volunteer for something you are passionate about, chances are the people surrounding you will share those same sentiments. Shared interests bring people together. As fellow volunteers working towards a common goal, you will start to build a unique relationship that might not be found anywhere else. Differences between people fade when hearts are exposed. These are the types of friendships that can last a lifetime.

　　当你决定为你热衷的某事做志愿服务时，机会就是你周围的人会分享这些相同的情绪。共享的兴趣能把人连接在一起。因为志愿者们都是为了一个相同的目标工作，所以你能开始建立一种任何别处都找不到的独特关系。当心灵暴露时，人们之间的不同便变淡了。这些都是可以持续一生的友谊。

　　5.You will make valuable connections

　　你会建立起珍贵的联系

　　It’s not about what you know, but who you know. Connections are formed when you are involved in an agency. A great way to get your foot in the door for a job you are hoping to have one day is to volunteer in the field. You might be surprised to find that many opportunities can come from the people you meet through volunteer work. In addition, you can build professional relationships with people who could potentially recommend you for a job in the future. Volunteering offers a chance to network with the people you need to know.

　　这无关于你知道什么，而在于你知道谁。当你参与到一个机构中时，联系就形成了。让你踏入你希望有一天能够拥有的工作门槛的好方法就是在现场做志愿服务。你可能会惊奇地发现你可以从你在志愿活动中遇到的人那里获得许多机会。此外，你可以和那些潜在地能在未来给你推荐一份工作的人建立起专业关系。

　　6.You will be a part of the community

　　你会成为社区的一部分

　　Serving the community offers a sense of attachment⁵ and belonging. When we volunteer for a cause we are passionate about, when we invest our hearts in our community, they become our treasures. You are enhancing the place you call home, and you will never feel more at home than when you are putting your efforts towards making it better.

　　为社区服务会给你一种接触感和归属感。当我们为一个我们热衷的理由做志愿服务时，当我们在我们的社区奉献我们的心血时，它们就成了我们的财富。你正在改善你称之为家的地方，当你努力让它更好时，你永远不觉得付出得多。

　　7.You will feel empowered

　　你会感觉到自主

　　As adults, we have so much on our plates. There is work, family, relationships, chores, and the demands never seem to end. If you have the time, volunteering can be a great way to do something for yourself that gives you a sense of control. At most places, it is up to you how many hours you serve. You can decide to get more involved or take a step back. In addition, you will be making a difference for something that you care about. It is empowering to know that you are needed somewhere to do something important.

　　作为成年人，我们的盘子里有太多东西。有工作、家庭、关系、家务，要求似乎从来没有结束过。如果你有时间，志愿服务会是一种很棒的为自己做些事的方式，给你一种自我控制感。在大多数的地方，由你决定服务多少小时。你可以决定更多参与或是少参与一些。此外，你会为你所关心的事情做出不同的改变。这是让你知道，某个地方需要你去做些重要的事情。

　　8. You will live a more passionate life

　　你会过上更加充满激情的生活

　　We don’t all have the dream job. We don’t all get to do what we are passionate about every day, but I do know we are all passionate about something. Volunteering is a chance to acknowledge that passion within you. When you learn new skills, you enhance yourself. When you invest in the community, you build your sense of home. When you take the time to do something you care about, it will change you. Volunteering is a chance not only to give back to others, but to give back to yourself.

　　我们并不都有着梦想的工作。我们并不都在做我们所热衷的事情，但我知道我们都会对某事充满激情。志愿服务是一个去认识你内心的激情的机会。当你学习新的技能时，你就提升了自己。当你投资于社区，你能建立起你的家庭意识。当你花时间去做一些你关心的事情，它会改变你。志愿服务是一个不仅回馈别人还会回馈自己的机会。

 

1 personalities   

n. 诽谤，（对某人容貌、性格等所进行的）人身攻击； 人身攻击；人格, 个性, 名人( personality的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There seemed to be a degree of personalities in her remarks.她话里有些人身攻击的成分。
• Personalities are not in good taste in general conversation.在一般的谈话中诽谤他人是不高尚的。

2 perk   

n.额外津贴；赏钱；小费；

参考例句：

• His perks include a car provided by the firm.他的额外津贴包括公司提供的一辆汽车。
• And the money is,of course,a perk.当然钱是额外津贴。

3 dedicated   

adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的

参考例句：

• He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
• His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。

4 passionate   

adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的

参考例句：

• He is said to be the most passionate man.据说他是最有激情的人。
• He is very passionate about the project.他对那个项目非常热心。

5 attachment   

n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附

参考例句：

• She has a great attachment to her sister.她十分依恋她的姐姐。
• She's on attachment to the Ministry of Defense.她现在隶属于国防部。