1. Why should I volunteer?
  2. Do volunteers get paid?
  3. Who needs my help?
  4. How does ITMO organize volunteer work?
  5. What if I can’t be a full-time volunteer but still want to help from time to time?
  6. Who can be a volunteer? Are there any strict requirements?
  7. Can volunteers get promoted?
  8. How can I join ITMO’s Volunteer Center?
 

1. Why should I volunteer? 

Besides boosting your organizational skills, volunteering helps you apply and improve your professional skills, for example, in digital volunteering. It’s also a great chance to get insight on various events taking place at the university or even international level, as well as provides an opportunity to change the world around you. 
 

2. Do volunteers get paid?  

Volunteering is usually not paid but provides a wide range of other bonuses. Volunteers can participate in different forums, enter internships, and join volunteer camps, including the ones abroad. They can also witness first-hand such global events as the FIFA World Cup, Olympic Games, and Formula One. Meanwhile, active members of the volunteer movement can propose and develop their own social projects, take part in grant competitions, and even receive funding.
 

3. Who needs my help?

So far, ITMO has nine volunteer organizations and hence as many types of volunteer work. 
 

4. How does ITMO organize volunteer work?

As for volunteer clubs, they come up with most of their activities on their own or frequently receive suggestions from their partners to help at certain locations or implement some projects jointly. But most of the time, students take the lead and the center’s employees help them to bring even the boldest ideas to life. Many participate in several volunteer clubs at once and have many friends. In addition to clubs’ leaders, there are also team leaders or coordinators of volunteer groups at events – potentially, future club leaders. The center has numerous traditions, one of them being an annual getaway for a barbecue in summer, where members celebrate the end of the season.

 

5. What if I can’t be a full-time volunteer but still want to help from time to time?  

From time to time, you can help in many ways, and not only in event volunteering. For instance, you can visit animal shelters once or twice a month or simply promote separate waste collection. This contribution is just as important. However, some activities do require full involvement, for example, mentoring children from orphanages or organizing remote classes.

 

6. Who can be a volunteer? Are there any strict requirements?

Anyone can become a volunteer. But if you’re under 18, you'll need to provide parental consent to become a volunteer. Different projects have different requirements: for working with children, you’ll need to pass an interview and for digital volunteering – to complete special training. 

 

7. Can volunteers get promoted?

Yes, volunteers can become team leaders of volunteer groups, as well as create and lead their own projects. They often work at nonprofit organizations and take part in various competitions (eg. Volunteer of Russia), promote their projects in regions, as well as do training and internships.

 

8. How can I join ITMO’s Volunteer Center?

You can join our center via the online platform of the Dobro volunteer movement. There, you’ll find current vacancies and events, in which you can participate. Follow the Volunteer Center’s VK page and its official website to keep up to date.