By: Nicole Shahid
The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has thrown daily life into a loop while also exacerbating crises and trends. Two of the many aspects of traditional functionality that has changed are seeking out traditional volunteering and job opportunities. If you are on the hunt for a job or internship, trying to find a way to occupy your time or add an extracurricular activity below are some online job platforms and volunteering opportunities to get involved with!
Job Opportunities
Open to Work feature - allows you to apply filters and narrow your search, you can also receive notifications and emails of available openings in your selected areas
Familiarity in networking is key - look out for alumni, 2nd status connections
Always make sure to leave a brief reason for connecting when reaching out to professionals
LinkedIn Learning is an excellent way to build up skills and gain insight into networking and interview tips
Handshake & IsenbergWorks
Follow companies to get notified when a posting is made available
Company web pages are a great resource for interviewing tips as prior student post about their experiences
Ability to direct message students to find out more about their experiences - alternatively you can reach out via LinkedIn
Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC)
Supports the growth and development of the life sciences in Massachusetts
Main focus on internships - including undergraduate and postgraduate
Fill out a brief application form which includes skills and a resume and recruiters reach out from there
RippleMatch
Create a free profile - including skills and a resume - and get connected with opportunities that match your preferences from there
Opportunity ranging from internships to full time positions
Partner companies include Pfizer, EY, Amazon and many more
Volunteering:
The Golden Youth
Mission Statement: ‘The Golden Youth strives to improve society for older adults. By bridging the gap between seniors and teens, we find that both groups benefit greatly from this exchange. With the endless amount of resources teenagers find themselves using, they are able to provide seniors with the help they need to enjoy life to its fullest. Our programs leverage technology, companionship, and public policy advocacy in support of our growing senior population’
All activity is remote and no experience working with adults or with technology necessary!
Specific opportunities available within technology, social, and policy divisions
Crisis Text Line
https://www.crisistextline.org/
Mission Statement: “Crisis Text Line is the free, 24/7 text line for people in crisis’
The service is powered by volunteer Crisis Counselors who work remotely—anywhere with a computer and secure internet connection works.
4 hour shift/week with a 200 hour commitment ideally fulfilled within 1 year
Includes a 30 hour online training program
Supervisors and coaches available for assistance
Respond to texters and aid them through emotional abuse, anxiety etc
Perfect for night owls or early risers as the greatest need is between 10pm - 6am EST
UN Online Volunteering
https://www.onlinevolunteering.org/en
Volunteer in a variety of areas such as advocacy, technology development, editing, art and design and the global COVID-19 response
Every opportunity posted is also accompanied by which sustainable development goal it supports
Varying levels of commitment available from 1-5 to 11-20 hours
Be My Eyes
Mission Statement: “Be My Eyes is a free mobile app with one main goal: to make the world more accessible for blind and low-vision people. The app connects blind and low-vision individuals with sighted volunteers and companies from all over the world through a live video call.”
Help a blind or low-version person via a live video call
Translator opportunities also available
Translators without Borders
https://translatorswithoutborders.org/
Mission Statement: ‘Translators without Borders is a non-profit working towards a world where knowledge knows no language barriers’
Translator volunteers: must be fluent in one more language other than your native language, wide variety of tasks ranging from translation medical tasks to crisis response
Other volunteers: other roles such as project managers, graphic designer, fundraising and more also available!
Volunteer Match
https://www.volunteermatch.org/virtual-volunteering
Offers a centralized source for varying remote volunteer opportunities for nonprofits ranging from advocacy and human rights, tech, animals and more
Many opportunities are completely flexible and will work around your schedule