Volunteering vs. Job

[Jess]

I need some advice. Currently I volunteer in an office at a retirement community. I quite enjoy it.

However, I don't have a job. Not that I really need one, but a lot of people my age already have one. and it's nice to be earning money

But if I get a job...there's the problem with what days I'm working. I only want to work on Friday and weekends, for 2 hours. I don't want to work Monday-Thursday because of school & homework.

Volunteering is every Friday for 2 hours and as I said, I really like it. As for the job, I mostly will choose to go to a store and work as a cashier. I'm not sure I will like that, especially since I will have to talk (yeah, I hate talking), but I haven't tried it yet so I can't be really sure.

Volunteering doesn't earn me $, of course. taking the job does. but I cannot both volunteer and work. I am also reluctant to stop volunteering. Either I don't get a job at all until after college, or I quit volunteer work and start applying for a job at a store.

What do you think I should do?


edit: I've posted a thread about this already (see similar topics), but this is months afterwards and my mom no longer works. and part of me wants to get a job - it's not only what my mom wants

Thanks in advance to all advice.

[Jupiter]

Volunteering just feels better to me.

[StoppingTime]

Well, I would volunteer until you find you absolutely need a job. Probably the summer before your first year of college. But if something comes up, take the job if needed.

[RElk]

I volunteer with a police department. Me and another volunteer drive around the city helping police officers and civilians who need our assistance. Been doing it for neary 4 years and can be pretty enjoyable.

I also have a payed job too.

[ShatteredGlass]

If you don't have a need for it why complicate your life with it? You oughta do what makes you happy. What your doing not only makes you happy but its a blessing to others in your community. You should definietly just focuse on that :)

[AMPatuan]

In my opinion, so you turn synchronize work, study and the volunteer. just in time management and focus in what is I do.

[Zazu]

Well, I would volunteer until you find you absolutely need a job. Probably the summer before your first year of college. But if something comes up, take the job if needed.

This really.

Volunteering is always a great thing to do - it's something you should get lots of enjoyment from and is also something which looks good to potential employers.

If you could have a balance of voluntary work and paid work, this would be great, is there any way you could get a job and do some different voluntary work that you could fit in?

[Jess]

I don't think I can do any other volunteer work. I'm good at the stuff I do in the office, not really anything else, like babysitting or whatever :/

[Jupiter]

Hmm, maybe you -should- do both..

[Kaius]

Volunteering helps your chances of getting a job. It gives you experience and it also shows you're willing to work despite not receiving anything back. But tbh you saying you only want to work those days and hours.. That won't help. They look for people that are open for any hours they could possibly do whether they want to or not. Like the others have said though I'd stay with the voluntary job until you find a paid job.

[Jess]

@Eric: Can't do both. Too much work...lol. I need to one or the other

Yeah, it seems like I will stick with volunteering till I start college. Then I find a job.

[Thanatos]

Honestly if you are going to get a job and only work the 2 hrs it isnt worth it. Not enough money. I have had a part time job for a little over a year now, and its alright. I actually just had to ask to have my hours cut back because I volunteer coach a hockey team 2 hrs a night, 4 nights a week. And that and school, plus work, plus school clubs had me so stressed I had a mental breakdown.