Canadian universities are starting to embrace the notion that volunteering can be an integral part of college education.

Interviews of students at Concordia University in Canada by Peggy Curran of the Montreal Gazette, has found that many students believe that their most valuable learning experiences come from activities undertaken outside of the classroom. Alex Oster, a recent Concordia graduate said, “My degree is worth far more to me, thanks to the opportunities provided by my extracurricular activities”.

In recognition of this, the university has launched a programme aimed at encouraging student volunteering, “recognising it, both for its value in rounding out the university experience and the real-world need to hone skills and find a job after graduation”.

By recording these activities in a so-called ‘co-curricular record’, Concordia hopes to “provide prospective employers a better handle on who the job candidate is and what they may already know about leadership, organization, time management, critical thinking, team building and other necessities of life.”

When it comes to the volunteering itself, Valerie Millette, coordinator of the university’s new LIVE centre, (Leadership, Initiative & Volunteer Engagement) has found that individuals gain more from their experience when it is aligned with their own personal skills and interests. Students volunteering simply to bolster their CV gain little satisfaction in the long-run.

For those who find their passion, volunteering can develop those much needed ‘employability skills’. Oster explains his experience: “Volunteering greatly expanded my world view, and cemented in my mind the notion that positive change can occur, if enough people are willing to work for it.”

To find out more about meaningful volunteer opportunities, browse the volunteer work that Inspire offers.