The hidden benefits of volunteering for students and graduates.

Students and graduates who undertake volunteering projects do not just get the opportunity to develop and evidence their employability skills; these opportunities can inspire and motivate as well as improve self-confidence and self-belief.
An article in the Graduate Recruiter* provides quotes from employers and participants of the Raleigh's international volunteering:
Richard Reed, co-founder of Innocent Drinks says,

"The people at Innocent who have previously done Raleigh expeditions have greater confidence, enthusiasm and a belief in what can be achieved that motivates both themselves and others around them. When I am recruiting I am looking for something special in people and that is what they get from Raleigh: the gene for ingenuity."

A graduate with a degree in Architecture had applied for over 40 architectural jobs, unsccessfully. Three months after returning from Raleigh he was offered a position with Foster + Partners.

"As important as they are on expedition, skills such as survival, medical, radio and dive training weren't the most important lessons that Raleigh taught me. It was actually the frame of mind, my sense of purpose and achievement and my attitude that anything is possible - that is what has really helped. Working together with people of all nationalities and knowing that your limit is always that little further in front was a great experience."

*Issue 55 Graduate Recruiter, Publisher Association of Graduate Recruiters