Grateful for the volunteer opportunity that changed my life

A few months ago I signed up to a virtual volunteer opportunity that closely aligns with my career goals.

I had signed up a month before to a different virtual organization that was related but less hands-off / barely had any social contact. That organization paused its volunteer opportunities just after I got onboarded, so I decided to step way outside of my comfort zone and applied to this organization.

It’s not only related to my career goals, but it’s also in the exact city I hope to move to. I had no idea when I first saw it online because I was only looking for virtual opportunities only.

Since then, I’ve been accepted into a graduate program in the same city.

It’s also given me structure where I’m assigned tasks and work a certain number of hours like a real job, of which I’ve never had before. It’s also given me social structure where I meet over video chat once a week with my “team” and talk over messages throughout the week.

Last week and out of the blue, the owner emailed and told me she wanted to give me a stipend for my work despite the role being advertised as unpaid. So, now I’ve gotten my first paycheck!

I’ve been so grateful to them because it’s given me not only structure and a generous stipend, but also connections to the future city and career field that I want to work in. I still can’t believe I stumbled across them! I know I will forever be grateful.