How do you get over your fear to volunteer?

Question

I am going to college to earn my degree in sociology. I mainly want to go into the research applications, not necessarily social work, but I think that I should definitely get some hands-on experience in the field. I'm afraid that I'll be too picky in what I wish to do. I don't want to go into a location and find that I am unable to cope with the situation or 'choose to do something else' out of fear. What would those of you currently volunteering think if you were to see me afraid to get my hands dirty? I have the desire, but am just selfconscious about my willpower to do something that I might not find enjoyment in? I guess I am afraid that I will measure my humanitarianism and find myself short.

Answer 1

First, choose a field that you find interesting or is important to you. Some broad areas to consider would be hunger/food/nutrition, housing, health care, abuse treatment/prevention, activities of daily living (transportation, recreation, mobility, finances, eating, clothing, shelter), community projects (recreation, parks, green spaces, litter/trash cleanup, planting trees, etc), safety.

Second, schedule the time to go through the orientation and training needed to do the volunteer work, treat this like you would any other work.

Third, the advice to forget about yourself and just do the work is excellent. Accept the fact the work is unlikely to be glamorous or comfortable. Concentrate on each task you do; without allowing yourself to be distracted by thoughts of being elsewhere. Focus on completing the task at hand.

Chat with the staff members (paid or volunteers) that you'll be working with. Their experience can help you learn ways to cope with whatever work you will be doing.

Be careful about your reasons for doing volunteer work. If the sole reason you volunteer is to gain experience for yourself to enhance your own goals; then it is unlikely you'll be able to develop the coping skills you'll need. Keeping the goals of the agency you are working with, and the needs of the people you will be serving as the main reasons you do the work will help you tolerate tasks you may not find enjoyable.

Answer 2

BambooF (above) took the words right out of my head......she steering you straight.  Listen up:)

Answer 3

I think it would be a great start to do something totally unrelated,volenteer in some other situation that you know you can handle,if you like animals try a shelter,if you like kids,try a school or daycare,or ask a church to set you up with someone homebound who needs yard work or errand etc.Get your feet wet that way and work towards what you really need to get into.This way you have helped someone in some capacity and your humanitarianism wont be in question to yourself or any one else because if you decide you cant handle the harder situations you have still done a great thing

Answer 4

Oh, it's so simply.  All you got to do is to forget about yourself. Try to join Medical Mission wherein you will just join to repack the medicines like vitamins and prescribed medicines for the poor.  Prepare the cotton balls and even sterilize the medical utensils for the volunteer doctors. By doing that, you will be able to forget about yourself and there will be a gradual flow of humanitarianism within you :) It will just happen once you're there on the actual noble mission.

You can do it! Have a nice day and GOD BLESS!

Answer 5

Just do it. You'll never get anywhere if you keep second guessing yourself. I find that making friends while volunteering is the perfect way to make a crappy assignment more tolerable.