Career Tip: Become a Volunteer

If there’s an upcoming event you want to attend but it’s sold out, try emailing the event host to sign up as a volunteer. Most likely you’ll attend the event for free and you’ll directly meet the event organizers – who probably rock!

In summer of 2012, I volunteered at Daniel Delaney’s #brisketlab, a pop-up style BBQ brisket club that is an underground hit. For the five hours that I volunteered at one event I got free drinks, ½ lb of brisket, and a voucher for free brisket at future event. Score!

In spring 2017, I volunteered at the Millennial Leadership Summit in Philadelphia. Due to a last minute speaker drop out, I was asked to step up and become a workshop facilitator on digital project management. The opportunity was perfect: I was studying project management through Girl Develop It classes and reorganizing my PM portfolio materials. The workshop allowed me to present my favorite tips on productivity, digital tools and team leadership. I received positive feedback from both attendees and the event organizers, furthering my drive to become a digital PM and - it boosted my confidence!