In our pursuit of career growth, it may seem counter-productive to spend time volunteering in areas apart from our work. However, employers have long understood the benefits of having staff onboard with current or past volunteering work experience. You see, in giving of ourselves through volunteering work, we are also receiving training for our own character-building journey – something that no amount of classroom training can buy. Here, we are taken away from our daily grind and, depending on the type of volunteering work we choose, we are thrust into situations out of our comfort zone, to work and collaborate with people of different intellect, backgrounds and experiences, where our positions in our own organisation does not matter. This can get very challenging, but this is also where there is opportunity to grow as a person and as a leader.
Volunteering work also gives you the opportunity to expand your circle of friends and network beyond your own field of work, which helps widen your worldview. In fact, if you hold a leadership position in your organisation, being involved in volunteering work helps keep you humble. If you have never held a leadership position in your organisation, being involved in volunteering work helps build your leadership skills. Essentially, it helps build patience, tolerance, empathy, and hones your communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills, all of which are important for your career growth.
The benefits do not stop here. You will soon realise that being involved in volunteering work contributes to your overall mental wellness, allowing your mind to periodically take a step back from the rat race, and in doing so, helps manage your stress level so that you do not suffer burn-out. In the end, you will be better able to manage the challenges that come your way in the workplace, and much better positioned to assume leadership positions during the course of your career.
People with good academic results are becoming a dime a dozen. People with a great attitude are much rarer. In the end, it is your attitude, not aptitude, that determines your altitude.
About the author
Andrew Heng LLB, BCom '98 is the Group Managing Partner of the Baker Tilly Malaysia network and the lead partner for Corporate Advisory, Restructuring and Forensic in Malaysia. He is experienced in Mergers and Acquisitions, Reverse Take Over and Initial Public Offerings of companies. Andrew has also handled various insolvency assignments comprising Liquidations, Receiverships, Special Administrations, Judicial Management and Creditors Voluntary Administration. He is also highly sought as an expert witness on various litigation support matters.
When not at work, most of Andrew’s time is devoted to Kiwanis Malaysia, a non-profit organisation that is dedicated to improving the lives of children, one community at a time. He is currently the Key Leader Chairman of Kiwanis Malaysia and is a Lead Facilitator for their Service Leadership program, a weekend experiential leadership program for high school students.
Besides that, Andrew is a basketball enthusiast and currently, he volunteers his time as the Vice President of the Malaysian Basketball Association.
You can connect with Andrew here.