Student Job Search is set to introduce a trial “unpaid” section from June this year, after widespread enthusiasm for volunteer work was expressed by students around the country. A Colmar Brunton poll commissioned by Studylink last year revealed that 80% of students interviewed expressed interest in such work.
OUSA President Francisco Hernandez supports the move. “There is potential for any not-for-profit organisation to be involved,” he told Critic. Hernandez followed this up with a captivating example: “an environmental organisation could organise cleanups at the beach.”
He also addressed concerns that the site may be swamped with unpaid work. “It will be in a different section, so paid work will be just as easy to find as it was before,” said Hernandez.
Enthusiasm for volunteer work has extended beyond OUSA, with the Master of Knox College Dr Selwyn Yeoman expressing interest in bringing his residents closer to the Dunedin community as a whole. Dr Yeoman had organised numerous volunteer agencies to appear at Knox College on Sunday evenings to talk to Knox residents about volunteer work.
“Perhaps the easiest way for students to volunteer would be at local schools,” said Yeoman. “The North East Valley community offer a range of volunteer opportunities in particular for Knox.”
Yeoman is a self-described environmental advocate, and is excited for such conservation work mentioned by Hernandez. “I have no personal experience with the website, but it sounds like a good idea,” said Yeoman.
The trial is part of Hernandez’s election promise to increase the availability of volunteer work for Otago students.
Colmar Brunton says 80% of students keen to work for free
