Top Virtual Volunteer Opportunities for College Students

The Value of Virtual Volunteering for College Students

If you’re interested in virtual volunteer opportunities for college students, read on. We’ll discuss 10 excellent opportunities, their benefits, and steps to get started. You’ll also know about choosing the right virtual volunteer opportunity for yourself.

Did you know that virtual volunteering is on the rise? According to a University of Maine study, hybrid volunteering is also becoming more popular. Over 13.4 million Americans volunteered and contributed over 1.2 billion service hours (2023).

These volunteers contributed 96 service hours per year, on average. This was more than the 64 service hours per year contributed by in-person volunteers.

You, a college student, can also engage in virtual volunteering. In doing so, you’ll enjoy its benefits, including:

• Expand your network.
• Improve your career development potential.
• Build your hard and soft skills in your preferred career.
• Boost your resume’s value.
• Make a positive impact.

The best online volunteering programs also offer accessibility and flexibility for college students. You can volunteer when and where you want (i.e., no geographical barriers).

If you’re a busy college student, virtual volunteering is a great option. There’s no need to travel or move to another place. You don’t even have to feel pressured into putting in a set number of hours. Just volunteer based on your available time.

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How to Choose the Right Virtual Volunteer Opportunity

But, remote volunteering for students has its challenges, too. Limited hands-on experience, technological issues, and collaboration issues are common.

You must then choose the right opportunity based on your interests and goals. This way, you’re more likely to overcome these challenges.

Here are the crucial steps to make the right choice for yourself.

• Determine your needs, interests, and goals related to your virtual volunteering.
• Choose a virtual volunteering opportunity based on these individual aspects.
• Consider the time commitment for every opportunity. Seek opportunities with flexible schedules.
• Ask about the specific skills needed among volunteers. Choose an opportunity that aligns with your current skills.
• Consider the skills and experience you’ll gain as a volunteer. Then, determine if these aspects will align with your career goals.

It’s easy to know how to volunteer online as a college student. You find the best opportunities, sign up for your preferred one, and get to work.

But it’s also easy to become the victim of virtual volunteering scams. You must verify the legitimacy of the virtual volunteer programs. This way, you don’t waste your time and energy, especially if you’re looking for scholarships.

• Do diligent research on the programs. Check their websites and verify their legal status (e.g., 501(c)(3) designation). 
• Read testimonials and reviews. Talk to current and former volunteers, if possible.
• Make contact with the programs. Ask relevant questions, such as their services and area.
• Be cautious when a program asks for fees.

Once you’ve chosen a program, ask about its volunteer expectations. These include the types of tasks, supervision, and time commitment.

Top Virtual Volunteer Opportunities for College Students

Tutoring and Mentoring

These are the most obvious online service opportunities for students. Being passionate about teaching is a bonus.

You must have strong knowledge of the specific subject you’re planning on being a tutor. If you want to be a mentor, your achievements must reflect your capacity.

Here are virtual volunteering platforms you can look into:

• Upchieve is a free online tutoring platform. Sign up, complete a short training, and become an online tutor.
• Learn to Be is also a free online tutoring platform for underserved students. Apply online, complete a short training, and get a match.

Consider School on Wheels and Khan Academy, too.

Nonprofit and Charity Support

Many nonprofits and charitable organizations offer college volunteer opportunities from home. The preferred skills vary depending on their clients and services. But it’s a great idea to have effective people skills since these organizations work with people.

Consider these organizations for opportunities:

• Catchafire connects volunteers and nonprofits based on their specific skills. Create a personal profile, look for projects based on your skills, and apply.
• Crisis Text Line is an international nonprofit that provides free, 24/7, text-based mental health support. Applicants complete a 30-hour training before applying for monthly shifts.

Check out VolunteerMatch, Be My Eyes, and United Nations Volunteers, too.

Environmental and Conservation Work

Find affordable virtual volunteer programs among organizations dedicated to environmental work. You should be passionate about environmental protection, conservation, and sustainability.

While there’s no prior experience required, certain skills and traits may be necessary. Attention to detail, research skills, and advocacy are common.

These are popular organizations for environmental and conservation work:

• Zooniverse is a people-powered research platform that connects researchers with volunteers worldwide. Sign up, browse the projects, and apply.
• Translators Without Borders is a nonprofit that provides translation services for nonprofits involved in humanitarian aid. Applicants complete a short translation test before their assignments.

Consider EarthEcho International, Ocean Conservancy, and Rainforest Trust, too.

Online Advocacy and Awareness Campaigns

Be involved in online community service for students through advocacy and awareness campaigns. If you’re interested in human rights and social justice, consider these organizations:

• Amnesty International offers a program for Decoders who analyze documents and images for human rights research. Sign up and get started on digital research projects.
• DoSomething.org is a global nonprofit that offers volunteer campaigns on social justice and other issues. Sign up for free, select a campaign, and complete the actions.

You must have effective communication, writing, and research skills. Consider The Trevor Project and EarthDay.org, too.

Digital and Technology-Based Volunteering

Computer science, information technology, and engineering majors make the best digital and tech-based volunteers. While the needed skills vary, coding, data analysis, and web development are common.

Look into these organizations for volunteering opportunities:

• Code 4 Social Code is an initiative where tech-savvy volunteers provide their skills to create a positive impact. Select from available projects and apply to volunteer.
• Code for America is a civic tech nonprofit where volunteers use technology on social impact projects. Sign up for an account, apply for a project, and attend an orientation first.

Check out TechSoup, HDX, and DemocracyLab, too.

Health and Medical Volunteering

Nursing, public health, and pre-med students may want to consider healthcare-related volunteering. Research skills, medical knowledge, and communication skills are a must. Hybrid programs are also available for volunteers interested in in-person interactions.

Check out these organizations that offer healthcare-related volunteering:

• NIH Citizen Science Projects is where volunteers assist with medical research on various topics. CancerBase, Eyewire, and Foldit are examples of projects. Sign up for research projects on the website.
• Red Cross Digital Advocates are volunteers who use social media to spread awareness about health topics. Sign up and then complete an online training.

PatientsLikeMe and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital are also great platforms.

Writing, Editing, and Content Creation

Students pursuing degrees in English, journalism, and communication are an excellent fit. You must have strong writing skills suitable for the digital world.

If you’re interested, check out these virtual volunteering opportunities:

• Distributed Proofreaders is a web-based project where volunteers proofread scanned pages for Project Gutenberg. Applicants must register and complete training before they can start work.
• StoryCorps is a nonprofit that aims to record, preserve, and tell the stories of Americans from all walks of life.

Consider BookShare, LibriVox, and TED Translators. You can ask for proof of your volunteer work from these organizations.

Mental Health and Peer Support

Counseling, social work, and psychology students are the best fit for the work. As a volunteer, you’ll provide mental health support under the guidance of professionals. You must have empathy, active listening skills, and effective communication skills.

Check out these organizations if you’re interested:

• 7 Cups is a free listening online platform where volunteers and clients connect. Volunteers support clients struggling with mental health issues. Sign up and complete a short training before chatting with clients.
• Active Minds is a nonprofit that advocates mental health awareness among college students and young adults. You can join a current chapter or create a new one in your school.

TalkLife is also a good choice.

Arts, Design, and Multimedia Volunteering

If you’re pursuing film, photography, or graphic design, try this type of volunteering. Students in creative and performing arts programs are also welcome to try. You’ll be using your talents and skills to promote social good.

Look at these organizations for volunteering opportunities:

• ArtSphere Inc. is a nonprofit that offers free art books and classes to underserved communities. Select a volunteer role, submit a volunteer application, and attend an orientation to join.
• Smithsonian Digital Volunteers is a project that allows volunteers to work on digital exhibits that preserve cultures.

Check out The Trevor Project, too.

Historical and Archival Volunteering

Students in anthropology, history, and library science programs will love it. You should be interested in preservation and research to thrive. Effective research skills, attention to detail, and analytical skills are a must.

You’ll find many volunteering opportunities, such as:

• Library of Congress By the People is a program where volunteers review and transcribe handwritten historical documents. Joining the platform is a must to start work. 
• History Unfolded is a citizen history project led by USHMM. You’ll research articles and newspapers about the Holocaust and WWII.

Consider the National Archives and Project Gutenberg, too.

How Virtual Volunteering Can Help with Scholarships and Career Development

Are you still in doubt about being a virtual volunteer? Here are more reasons how virtual volunteering benefits students.

Gain volunteer hours for college scholarships.

Scholarship committees consider volunteer experience when assessing financial aid applications. Scholarship programs that need a strong volunteering record are particular with it. The Equitable Excellence Scholarship and Coca-Cola Scholars Program are examples.

Volunteering demonstrates commitment to service, leadership, and initiative. You can have a competitive edge against applicants without volunteering experience.

Tip: Provide proof of volunteer work and ask for references from the programs.

Boost your career development opportunities.

In a way, being a volunteer means being an unpaid – but happy – worker. You’ll also boost your career development opportunities in many ways. These include expanding your network, developing your leadership skills, and getting career-specific experience.

Furthermore, here are ways that you can highlight your virtual volunteering experiences.

• Include them in your resume’s Experience Section.
• List the relevant skills you’ve gained under the Skills Section.
• Provide a short and straightforward explanation when necessary. You can add it to the essay section, for example.
• Use numbers (e.g., tutored 150 students in math and improved their math scores by 75%). 

If you have a LinkedIn profile, highlight your volunteering experiences, too. Your digital portfolio must also include them.

Getting Started: Tips for a Successful Virtual Volunteering Experience

Being a student and a volunteer means juggling multiple responsibilities. Keep these tips in mind to get started on the right foot.

• Choose a program that offers flexible schedules.
• Create a schedule that fits your studies, social life, and volunteering activities. But prioritize your academics.
• Adopt effective time management habits. Discipline and determination are a must for student success.
• Avoid overcommitment. Say no if you can’t meet future volunteering commitments.

Most importantly, be a volunteer to learn more about yourself and gain practical experience.

You must also set SMART goals so that you can maximize your impact.

• Define your goals first. Think about your advocacy, available time, and skills you want to develop, among others.
• Start small. You can build up your contributions by achieving small yet achievable goals.
• Keep track of your hours, progress, and accomplishments.
• Stay motivated and become an inspiration.

Virtual volunteering isn’t easy. But it’s a worthwhile activity worth its challenges.

Conclusion: Making a Difference from Anywhere

Virtual volunteering is about making a difference by contributing your time and talent. The best thing is that you don’t need to be physically present to make an impact. You can volunteer from your dorm room, college library, and anywhere.

So, if you’re keen on being the change you want to see in the world, be a virtual volunteer. You must explore your options now. Start by knowing the change you want to make in your life and others.