UQ students to embrace ways to give back

UQ’s career office invites students to fulfil their volunteer and service interests at the third annual Volunteer Expo later this month.

The event will play host to more than 40 local and international organisations, with opportunities in the arts, community development, environment, and athletic industries to be represented.

In partnership with Volunteer Queensland the free event will take place on Wednesday, August 24.

With a number of returning groups, organisers are emphasising the event as a great way for students to network, learn about new avenues to apply skills, and enhance resumes.

“Volunteering is a real opportunity for students to get a taste of a professional environment, what it’s like working in a team,” Career Advisor Ms McIntosh said.

Last year 2100 students attended the event, which will run from 10am to 2pm in the Holt Room of the UQ Union complex at the St Lucia campus.

“As the first of its kind at a Queensland university, the event has been an opportunity for students to find their passion and in some cases find their career directions,” Ms McIntosh said.

Returning participants include the Woodford Folk Festival, the Australian Olympic Committee, the RSPCA, Amnesty International, and the Endeavour Foundation.

Also returning is the Department of Communities, which from last year’s expo secured 200 volunteers for their Multicultural Festival.

Ms McIntosh said a number of students have gone on to find jobs at organisations they have worked with.

New to this year’s expo is Bicycle Qld, Crime Stoppers, 4zzz radio station, Boystown, the Peace Festival in Wawrick, and Qld Country Women’s Association.

To improve placement with organisations, workshops hosted by Volunteer Queensland will be in line with their Youth Leading Youth Research program.

“We share best practice targeting this age group and providing organisations with tips on planning, promoting, and delivering their placements,” Ms McIntosh said.

Media: Rebecca McIntosh (3366 7828, r.mcintosh@uq.edu.au) or Allison Rock at UQ Office of Communications (3365 2619, a.rock1@uq.edu.au)