Is volunteering at a state convention worth it?

Question

Today I received notification that I was selected to be a volunteer for a state convention for a political party (unimportant!)....However, the convention is being held in a city that is 3 hours away. In order to volunteer, I have to attend volunteer training in that city being held during a weeknight. The next day following that volunteer training, I have my 1st full day of summer class at college, which would require me to travel 2 hours to where my college is located. Then once the classes are over, I would need to travel back to where the convention was being held so that I could volunteer the next day. Some of my friends are saying that this is an opportunity that I shouldn't pass up, but with the cost of gas, the hotel rooms, the wear and tear on my car, plus physical exhaustion - all to volunteer doing God knows what, I am wondering if it is worth it all...Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

What are your long term career plans? Do they involve a career in which having a network of political contacts would be important? Do you plan a career in politics or in a field where you would have close contact with political people? If you have plans to be a politician, or a lawyer, or grant writing, or lobbying, or political activism.....then I'd do it.

If you are planning to be an accountant for a Fortune 500 company, or move into industrial manufacturing, or something like that, I would save the gas money for a networking opportunity that would be better suited to your future plans.