Volunteering is good for your Career

[CindyCullen]

Are you feeling stuck in your present position? Think about volunteering at your local (ISC)2 Chapter.  If a local chapter doesn’t exist, start one.  Following are a few personal benefits from volunteering:

• Expand your professional network
• Develop/expand your leadership skills
• Learn about career options via networking
• Develop new skills (i.e. setup meetings, conferences, finding speakers, etc.)
• Build confidence in new projects (i.e. setup meeting, conferences, etc.)
• (ISC)2 Chapters are great place to learn in a low stress environment.

Last but not least, have fun!

[rslade]

> CindyCullen (Newcomer I) posted a new topic in Career on 07-13-2018 07:01 PM in

> Subject: Volunteering is good for your Career

Absolutely. Volunteering was how I actually got started in both the online world (I
got to be on the Internet when the online population was only about a thousand)
and security.

> Are you feeling stuck in your present position? Think about volunteering at your
> local (ISC)2 Chapter.

Or other groups.

>  If a local chapter doesn't exist, start one. 

That works, too.

> Following are a few personal benefits from volunteering: Expand your
> professional network Develop/expand your leadership skills Learn about career
> options via networking Develop new skills (i.e. setup meetings, conferences,
> finding speakers, etc.) Build confidence in new projects (i.e. setup meeting,
> conferences, etc.) (ISC)2 Chapters are great place to learn in a low stress
> environment. Last but not least, have fun!

There's also mentoring. Speaking of the which, for any students out there, yes, I
know your time is short, but consider volunteering anyway. Some of the student
members of our Vancouver group have made it onto the executive, have been able
to use their volunteer work as work study credits, and all have said that it's
incredibly valuable.

====================== (quote inserted randomly by Pegasus Mailer)
rslade@vcn.bc.ca slade@victoria.tc.ca rslade@computercrime.org
Let us weigh the gain and the loss in wagering that God is. Let
us consider the two possibilities. If you gain, you gain all; if
you lose, you lose nothing. Hesitate not, then, to wager that
He is. - Pascal's Wager
victoria.tc.ca/techrev/rms.htm http://www.infosecbc.org/links
http://blogs.securiteam.com/index.php/archives/author/p1/
http://twitter.com/rslade

[CISOScott]

Also considering volunteering where you work. I was able to pick up some key leadership experiences (unpaid) by volunteering for them. When I got to the level to serve as a relief supervisor (no increase in pay, but performed supervisory duties on a limited basis when the supervisor was out) I volunteered for it. Even though I did not see an increase in pay I was able to get experience in a supervisory role. A lot of people are hesitant to give someone a supervisory role without having supervisory experience, except how do you get experience if no one will hire you into a supervisory role? Simple answer, you volunteer. I also volunteered to serve as a Team lead on a safety team without any compensation.  I served as coaches for youth sports leagues as an unpaid coach. I spent a lot of time volunteering and when the opportunity came to hire me into a supervisory position, I had several experiences that I could list on my resume.

I had several employees around me turn down the opportunity to serve in the relief supervisory role all because it provided no short-term financial benefit. They could not see the long-term opportunity it provided them. Volunteering is not for short-term gain, although you may see some benefits, it is for the long-term experiences you will gain. I noticed that after stepping up and volunteering to be a relief supervisor, my boss treated me differently, as if he had more respect for me and that he could share supervisory type info with me. I became closer to his peer than his subordinate. He started to try to mentor me more and provided more advice than he had before. I guess he figured why invest time and energy in someone if they don't show the potential or desire to be a supervisor one day?

[rslade]

Over on the CISSPforum, somebody just mentioned BSides.  This is definitely something to look for in your area.  All volunteer, from organizing to running to speaking to making sure everyone's nametag is on straight.  It's a terrific movement, and usually produces terrific events.  Always worth the effort.  If there isn't one in your area, start one.

[Jschoon]

Great value, and in addition will open greater opportunities.