14 answers
Mabel
Student
Hillsborough, North Carolina
1
Question
Updated
2309 views
Should I volunteer or should I get a job?
I am a junior in high school interested in psychology, criminal justice, art, and history. I am not sure which one in particular to be honest, but I'm not sure whether I should be seeking volunteer hours, a job, or an internship. I already am in some honors societies (NAHS & NHS) which I get volunteer hours for as well as I'm president of my D&D club. I have also been an intern for a summer camp this summer.
Also, if so...could you recommend some good job/volunteer/internships in the triangle area of NC! Thanks so much!
(EDIT: This question has been answered! Thanks so much for all the advice to everyone who gave it.)
14 answers
Michelle Brenier
Content Writer
11
Answers
Hanford, California
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
You don't need to choose between volunteering, a job, or an internship right now. In high school, it's a great time to explore your interests. Over the next year or two, try different things to see what you like before committing to one path.
You already have valuable experience from the NHS/NAHS, leading your D&D club, and your summer camp internship. These roles help you build skills like leadership and organization.
Here's how to approach each option:
Volunteering: This is great for exploring fields like psychology, criminal justice, and history. Look for opportunities where you interact with people or work on projects, not just for the hours.
Part-time Job: If you can manage it with school, a part-time job teaches customer service, teamwork, and responsibility. It doesn't have to be related to your future career.
Internship/Job Shadowing: This could be the most useful for you. Even a short experience in psychology, criminal justice, art, or history can help you decide if you like a field or not.
Look for opportunities that combine your interests. A museum might let you do research and community work, while a community organization might offer insights into psychology or criminal justice. An arts non-profit could involve design and admin tasks.
Don't stress about planning your long-term career now. Focus on learning about yourself. Notice what activities make you lose track of time. Do you like working one-on-one, doing research, creating, organizing, or leading groups?
Lastly, keep a journal of your experiences. Note your responsibilities, tasks, and achievements. This will help you when you start writing your first resume.
You already have valuable experience from the NHS/NAHS, leading your D&D club, and your summer camp internship. These roles help you build skills like leadership and organization.
Here's how to approach each option:
Volunteering: This is great for exploring fields like psychology, criminal justice, and history. Look for opportunities where you interact with people or work on projects, not just for the hours.
Part-time Job: If you can manage it with school, a part-time job teaches customer service, teamwork, and responsibility. It doesn't have to be related to your future career.
Internship/Job Shadowing: This could be the most useful for you. Even a short experience in psychology, criminal justice, art, or history can help you decide if you like a field or not.
Look for opportunities that combine your interests. A museum might let you do research and community work, while a community organization might offer insights into psychology or criminal justice. An arts non-profit could involve design and admin tasks.
Don't stress about planning your long-term career now. Focus on learning about yourself. Notice what activities make you lose track of time. Do you like working one-on-one, doing research, creating, organizing, or leading groups?
Lastly, keep a journal of your experiences. Note your responsibilities, tasks, and achievements. This will help you when you start writing your first resume.
Okay, thank you so much!
Mabel
Mike K
Retired Law Enforcement
32
Answers
Henderson, Nevada
Updated
Mike’s Answer
Hello Mabel. At the stage you are in, I'd recommend volunteering opportunities as you have some time to really decide which career path to pursue. This is something that doesn't always have a definitive timeframe on it - many people realize later in life what it is they really want to do and so they make a career change. Volunteering also offers a great opportunity to meet people, make connections, and really find out what it is you want to pursue without the stress of an actual job. Many structured internships are offered to college students who are studying subjects relevant to that specific internship. Of the subjects you are interested in, criminal justice, art, and history seem to offer some volunteer opportunities in your geographical area. I'd suggest additional research on local police departments, museums, and art galleries in your area as they often have volunteer/internship opportunities available. Best of luck! Mike.
NC Museum of Art - https://ncartmuseum.org/get-involved/volunteers/
Raleigh Police Dept. Youth Cadets - https://raleighnc.gov/youth/services/police-youth-services/public-safety-cadets-unit
ActivateGood NC - https://activategood.org/take-action/youth-families-and-schools/yvc/
Mike recommends the following next steps:
Thanks so much for the specific sources! I'll check it out.
Mabel
Jocelyn Vergara
Senior Associate
44
Answers
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Updated
Jocelyn’s Answer
Hi Mabel! You should definitely try both! Volunteering is a fantastic way to help the community and make new friends.
Kayla Quinn, CPA
8
Answers
Updated
Kayla’s Answer
There's no wrong answer here! Volunteering is a wonderful way to give back, feel good, and meet others who share your interests. You can definitely volunteer and have a job at the same time. Even just an hour a week can make a difference. Find a balance that suits you, list your priorities, and talk to your mentors or guardians. You're asking the right questions early in your career, which is fantastic. Keep going!
Jamie Wiles
Artist, Writer, and YouTuber
20
Answers
Chesterfield, Virginia
Updated
Jamie’s Answer
Try to get both, if you're able. Volunteering will help give you experience. A job will help you financially and security. Best of luck to you.
Trevor Dawson
Consulting
2
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Trevor’s Answer
You can’t go wrong either way! I’d say follow what you’re passionate about. The only thing to consider is which may give you more opportunity to demonstrate capabilities for a career you’re looking to get into.
Yes, totally!
Mabel
Steve L.
retired
5
Answers
Jacksonville, Florida
Updated
Steve’s Answer
Hi, Mabel. It's impressive to see you so active as a high school student. Well done on your hard work! Your school is fortunate to have you.
When choosing between a job, volunteering, or an internship, make sure you pick something you truly enjoy. That's what matters most.
Since I'm not in North Carolina, I'll let someone else answer your NC question, but it's a great one to ask!
When choosing between a job, volunteering, or an internship, make sure you pick something you truly enjoy. That's what matters most.
Since I'm not in North Carolina, I'll let someone else answer your NC question, but it's a great one to ask!
Okay, thanks!
Mabel
Diana Rodriguez Velasquez
Psychologist
72
Answers
Memphis, Tennessee
Updated
Diana’s Answer
Hi Mabel! As a psychologist, one thing I would encourage you to remember is that you do not need to have your entire career figured out while you are still in high school. In fact, this is a great time to explore.
You already have several valuable experiences: volunteering through your honor societies, serving as president of your D&D club, and completing a summer camp internship. Because of that, I wouldn’t focus only on collecting more volunteer hours. Instead, I would look for your next experience based on what you want to learn about yourself.
Since you’re interested in psychology, criminal justice, art, and history, you could choose an opportunity that lets you explore one of those areas more closely. For example, a community organization, museum, youth program, advocacy organization, or another supervised setting could help you see what kind of work and environment you actually enjoy.
A part-time job can also be extremely valuable even if it isn’t directly related to your future career. It can help you develop communication, responsibility, teamwork, time management, and problem-solving skills.
My advice would be: don’t ask only, “Which option will look best?” Ask yourself, “Which experience will teach me something I don’t already know about myself or one of the careers I’m considering?”
You already seem to be building a strong range of experiences. Now you can use your next one to explore rather than feeling pressured to choose your entire career path right now.
Good luck with everything, Mabel!
You already have several valuable experiences: volunteering through your honor societies, serving as president of your D&D club, and completing a summer camp internship. Because of that, I wouldn’t focus only on collecting more volunteer hours. Instead, I would look for your next experience based on what you want to learn about yourself.
Since you’re interested in psychology, criminal justice, art, and history, you could choose an opportunity that lets you explore one of those areas more closely. For example, a community organization, museum, youth program, advocacy organization, or another supervised setting could help you see what kind of work and environment you actually enjoy.
A part-time job can also be extremely valuable even if it isn’t directly related to your future career. It can help you develop communication, responsibility, teamwork, time management, and problem-solving skills.
My advice would be: don’t ask only, “Which option will look best?” Ask yourself, “Which experience will teach me something I don’t already know about myself or one of the careers I’m considering?”
You already seem to be building a strong range of experiences. Now you can use your next one to explore rather than feeling pressured to choose your entire career path right now.
Good luck with everything, Mabel!
Christina Davis
16
Answers
Updated
Christina’s Answer
I don't know what's wrong with doing both. I mean, I did internships while holding out a job, so you can definitely make money doing something else without putting it on your resume. So your resume is getting your dream job, right? But you can still be making money with jobs that you don't exactly report and then pay taxes, of course. But like, you know, you can do things outside of your field to make money to invest in what you wanna do. And I would definitely, definitely get volunteer volunteering. It's not gonna pay you, but you're gonna get invaluable resources as well as like connections. Have a business card is the most important thing. Go ahead and say what you're going to be. Hey, this is my job. This is my field. Don't mention your side work. Side work is side work. You don't need to talk about that. Talk about your goals. Talk about where you want to be.
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1439
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Mabel,
You don't necessarily have to choose between volunteering, getting a job, and doing an internship. At your stage, I'd focus on getting experiences that help you learn what you actually enjoy.
You already have a good start. Being involved in NHS and NAHS, leading your D&D club, and completing a summer camp internship show leadership, responsibility, and commitment. You don't need to collect volunteer hours just for the sake of having more hours. I'd rather see you spend your time doing something meaningful and being able to explain what you learned from it.
Since you're interested in psychology, criminal justice, art, and history, this could actually be a good time to experiment. For psychology, look for opportunities involving children, community programs, mental health education, or mentoring. For criminal justice, you could explore youth programs connected to courts, victim services, or public safety. For art and history, museums and cultural organizations can give you useful experience.
If you're in the Triangle, you could look into organizations such as Volunteers For Youth, which works with young people, or The Triangle Nonprofit & Volunteer Leadership Center, which can help connect volunteers with local organizations. You could also explore opportunities at North Carolina Museum of Art or Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice if your interests lean toward art or history.
One important thing to know is that many formal internships aren't available to high school students. For example, the current Raleigh Police Department internship is designed for college seniors and graduate students. So don't feel like you're missing something if you can't find a traditional internship yet.
I'd probably choose one meaningful volunteer experience and, if your schedule allows, a part-time job. A job can teach you communication, reliability, teamwork, and how to work with different people. Those skills will be useful regardless of whether you eventually choose psychology, criminal justice, art, or history.
You don't have to decide your entire career as a junior. Use these next couple of years to test your interests. Sometimes the best career decision comes from discovering what you don't enjoy as much as what you do.
Best wishes!
You don't necessarily have to choose between volunteering, getting a job, and doing an internship. At your stage, I'd focus on getting experiences that help you learn what you actually enjoy.
You already have a good start. Being involved in NHS and NAHS, leading your D&D club, and completing a summer camp internship show leadership, responsibility, and commitment. You don't need to collect volunteer hours just for the sake of having more hours. I'd rather see you spend your time doing something meaningful and being able to explain what you learned from it.
Since you're interested in psychology, criminal justice, art, and history, this could actually be a good time to experiment. For psychology, look for opportunities involving children, community programs, mental health education, or mentoring. For criminal justice, you could explore youth programs connected to courts, victim services, or public safety. For art and history, museums and cultural organizations can give you useful experience.
If you're in the Triangle, you could look into organizations such as Volunteers For Youth, which works with young people, or The Triangle Nonprofit & Volunteer Leadership Center, which can help connect volunteers with local organizations. You could also explore opportunities at North Carolina Museum of Art or Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice if your interests lean toward art or history.
One important thing to know is that many formal internships aren't available to high school students. For example, the current Raleigh Police Department internship is designed for college seniors and graduate students. So don't feel like you're missing something if you can't find a traditional internship yet.
I'd probably choose one meaningful volunteer experience and, if your schedule allows, a part-time job. A job can teach you communication, reliability, teamwork, and how to work with different people. Those skills will be useful regardless of whether you eventually choose psychology, criminal justice, art, or history.
You don't have to decide your entire career as a junior. Use these next couple of years to test your interests. Sometimes the best career decision comes from discovering what you don't enjoy as much as what you do.
Best wishes!
Jerry Tingstad
Professor/middle school teacher/48 years
200
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jerry’s Answer
Interesting question.
I would pay particular attention to Michelle’s Answer.
Beyond that, my own personal experience, at a high school of over 3000 students, was volunteering to do certain activities as part of life at the school, such as being a clerk at the school snack bar and taking tickets at the Friday night school dances. But it didn't mean very much, just part of the school life.
I also worked at a local drug store. I needed the money. Twenty hours per week. Stocked shelves, ran a cash register, wrapping up things and taking the cash for things, under local law, I was not allowed to purchase for my own use, drove a stick shift Ford making deliveries, and was a Soda Jerk (If you don't know what that is, look it up,).
And through working at the drugstore for three years, I met a lot of different people, with different backgrounds, different "styles", different tastes, personalities, and with different problems in their lives. And at times, they would talk to me about their lives and their problems. They were "regulars" and so was I. Never mind the age differences. And at times there was no age difference. I also just observed people and the way they conducted themselves and interacted with others. And what people came in to purchase.
And in three years? Just how much?
Then to university. And I had cleared out some cobwebs about my future professional possibilities..
My part time job gave me so much information, all over the social map as it were, and that no single volunteer experience could ever have given me, or two, or three?, and off I went.
Seven years at university, forty-eight years in my profession.
But I do not live in your world.
Yet I hope I have given you more to think about, and you have time.
I would pay particular attention to Michelle’s Answer.
Beyond that, my own personal experience, at a high school of over 3000 students, was volunteering to do certain activities as part of life at the school, such as being a clerk at the school snack bar and taking tickets at the Friday night school dances. But it didn't mean very much, just part of the school life.
I also worked at a local drug store. I needed the money. Twenty hours per week. Stocked shelves, ran a cash register, wrapping up things and taking the cash for things, under local law, I was not allowed to purchase for my own use, drove a stick shift Ford making deliveries, and was a Soda Jerk (If you don't know what that is, look it up,).
And through working at the drugstore for three years, I met a lot of different people, with different backgrounds, different "styles", different tastes, personalities, and with different problems in their lives. And at times, they would talk to me about their lives and their problems. They were "regulars" and so was I. Never mind the age differences. And at times there was no age difference. I also just observed people and the way they conducted themselves and interacted with others. And what people came in to purchase.
And in three years? Just how much?
Then to university. And I had cleared out some cobwebs about my future professional possibilities..
My part time job gave me so much information, all over the social map as it were, and that no single volunteer experience could ever have given me, or two, or three?, and off I went.
Seven years at university, forty-eight years in my profession.
But I do not live in your world.
Yet I hope I have given you more to think about, and you have time.
Okay, thanks so much!
Mabel
Leonardo Tiarajú
Americas Philanthropy Manager (Latin America + Canada)
1
Answer
Porto Alegre, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Updated
Leonardo’s Answer
Hi Mabel,
It's amazing that you're leading a D&D club! You must be having a blast and gaining some great experiences.
Let me share what helped me. I started by volunteering with different nonprofit organizations, which was really rewarding. Helping others and getting involved in various activities made me feel good and was a great way to spend my time.
At the same time, I looked for paid internships in areas I was interested in. Knowing what you like and don't like can really help guide your choices.
After a year in an internship, I was offered a full-time position at the company.
There's no one-size-fits-all plan, but a Brazilian rapper once said, "I made my pathway, and my pathway has made me." It's about creating your own path and letting your experiences shape you. Be ready for opportunities and grab them when they come your way!
It's amazing that you're leading a D&D club! You must be having a blast and gaining some great experiences.
Let me share what helped me. I started by volunteering with different nonprofit organizations, which was really rewarding. Helping others and getting involved in various activities made me feel good and was a great way to spend my time.
At the same time, I looked for paid internships in areas I was interested in. Knowing what you like and don't like can really help guide your choices.
After a year in an internship, I was offered a full-time position at the company.
There's no one-size-fits-all plan, but a Brazilian rapper once said, "I made my pathway, and my pathway has made me." It's about creating your own path and letting your experiences shape you. Be ready for opportunities and grab them when they come your way!
Okie dokie, thanks so much!
Mabel
Maria Shivell, PMP®, PSM
It project manager
1
Answer
Pittsford, New York
Updated
Maria’s Answer
I would suggest that any experience whether it’s paid or unpaid in area of interest is helpful to getting closer to what you want to do.
Ralph Wu
Sales Engineer
3
Answers
Temecula, California
Updated
Ralph’s Answer
Volunteering and internships are fantastic ways to gain experience in the fields you love. If you can land a part-time job in those areas, that's even better! At this point in your life, you're on the right track by figuring out what you enjoy. Gaining experience in these fields will help you make better career choices. Remember, it's okay if your interests change as you learn more. Stay open-minded, and let your experiences guide you.
Thanks so much!
Mabel
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