Tips for wrapping up your summer volunteer experience

Now that summer is coming to an end, many students are getting set to leave their volunteer placements in preparation for a new school year. The summer is short and your time volunteering may feel even shorter, so it is important to ensure that you made the most out of your volunteer placement this summer.

Here are five tips for ending your volunteer placement on a high note:

1. Make sure you tell your program’s coordinator when your last day is
   It might seem obvious, but in the rush to wrap up a busy summer volunteer placement it’s easy to forget to tell your coordinator when your last day at your placement will be! Your coordinator may need to start looking for new volunteers to replace your position, so out of courtesy you should provide as much notice as possible.




2. Evaluate your volunteer placement
   Did you learn everything you wanted to learn? Is there anything you wanted to learn but haven’t yet? It’s not too late to ask your program’s coordinator to teach you any outstanding skills before the end of your placement- they want you to get the most out of your experience too!




3. Write a journal about your experience
   Before your mind becomes consumed with the skeletal system, trigonometry, and all the other knowledge you will be overwhelmed with this year, write a journal about your volunteer experience this summer. You can ‘journal’ by simply jotting down what you learned, as well as any successes or challenges you’ve overcome. These tidbits of information could become a goldmine when writing a cover letter or prepping for an interview in the future.




4. Ask for a reference letter
   A reference letter is a perfect way to show future employers the skills and abilities you gained at your volunteer placement. It’s best to ask your program’s volunteer coordinator BEFORE leaving your placement to ensure the letter is written by your direct supervisor who can speak best to your abilities.




5. Keep in touch
   If you enjoyed your placement, stay in touch with your coordinator so that you can volunteer again next summer, or even over Christmas break! It is an asset to know the ropes of a role already since it is easier for an Organization to bring on an experienced volunteer.

Following these tips will help you ensure you end your volunteer placement on a positive note. Enjoy the last few days of summer!