An articling position with a public accounting firm or securing a position in industry or public practice will provide you with practical experience. This experience is required to satisfy the requisites for a CPA designation. But when a candidate is trying to obtain an opportunity to get this experience, previous accounting experience can be a real asset.

Some employers have even indicated that it was the accounting experience, or lack of, was the final factor in making a hiring decision. Locating an accounting position to provide this benefit and help you stand out during a competition can be quite a challenge. It is good to know there are ways to locate and secure an accounting position while putting your passions to use and providing meaningful support to a worthy cause. The avenue I am referring to is volunteering. Ah…quality of life and career progression all at the same time – I love it!

If the volunteerism holds an attraction to you, I want to help you understand its intrinsic benefits. They are:
1. Volunteers are needed – Many organizations exist largely on the labours of volunteers. This is true with more positions than just setting up tables and chairs. Many professional positions in non-profit organizations are filled by volunteers. This is where you come in.
2. Volunteers are valued –  If you have volunteered then you can add a position into your resume with the same expressive language you use for your paid positions. There is value and relevant skills to be communicated.
3. Volunteerism is noticed – Being a volunteer says something about you. When employers review resumes they are often impressed by the fact that candidates are involved in a cause larger than themselves and give back to their communities.
4. Volunteerism has value – When you are taking three courses, working 20 hours per week and volunteering for 10 hours per week you can use all of these to show your ability to manage you time well. This is why some applications ask for how many hours you spend on various roles you fill.
5. Volunteer experience is valid experience – Paid or unpaid really does not change the fact of what skills were used, work that was done or achievements that were made. Before you add these to your resume or talk about it you need to recognize it yourself first. If you believe your experience is valid then those you listen to you will see the validity. You have to believe it first before you can sound believable.

Here are some ways to target, locate and secure a volunteer experience:
1. Target non-profit organizations you have a connection with through personal experience, those you may know and love or just simply organizations that inspire you.
2. Check out Go Volunteer http://govolunteer.ca/ to find volunteer opportunities posted there.
3. Research organizations in your community by searching for them using a resource called The Red Book http://redbookonline.bc211.ca/ Here you can search any organization in your community of choice and find the contact information to reach out to them.

Then plan what you want to offer them, how many hours per week you can help them and call them to ask who the best person would be to talk to pursue a volunteer position.

Lastly, you may want to talk to a few organizations before making your decision about where you will devote your time. There are more needs out there than there are people and hours in the day. If you are trying to be strategic then you would do well to consider your options before committing. Then, once you commit, follow through and keep your promise even when it is hard to do so. Managers will provide excellent references for you and may even hire you if finances allow.

Good luck!

Russell Garrett is the Owner of Protocol Business Solutions, a Certified Career Consultant and your DAP Career Coach. He is currently delivering one hour workshops from January to April and is applying the steps of the Sauder Career Success Cycle specifically to DAP students along with other advanced concepts. He can also be reached at dapcareersupport@sauder.ubc.ca to arrange an online career appointment.