Millie Dessent, a second year Intentional Relations student, currently volunteers as a Careers Coach for Future Frontiers. Future Frontiers is a London based charity that aims to “equip disadvantaged young people with the information, skills and mindsets to be able to realise their career aspirations”. Millie shares her experiences of volunteering below.
Through volunteering I have gained a greater understanding of the issues facing our society and how individually we can address them. Having come from a state comprehensive school I was aware that educational inequality is a big problem in Britain. However, until being a part of Future Frontiers I did not realise how poor Britain’s record for social mobility really is. I hadn’t met the pupils in the areas most effected and so I was yet to learn that they are just as ambitious, inspired and enthusiastic about their education as me.
I have become more in tune with young people in my local area in London and therefore have a much stronger sense of community in a city that can be too big and isolating. I feel that through helping pupils in London I now understand the city and its people in a more meaningful way . Volunteering is also a great way to make friends with students from across London universities and Future Frontiers have a great presence on campuses so it can be a great way to meet like minded people.
The bus journey to Lilian Baylis Technology School in Vauxhall where I am a coach for Future Frontiers is a journey away from the LSE. University education is not a given for everybody from every background. Even the Year 8 pupils I coach talk about the increasing costs of higher education and how it might affect them. However, through volunteering I can see that they have become more positive about their futures. Through delving deep into the career paths that inspire them, setting academic targets to keep their school work in check and exploring the extra-curricular activities which also may help them to realise their goal, I have certainly witnessed their aspirations develop. Although you may not see the rewards of your volunteer work immediately, when it shows I can guarantee it will leave you with a big smile and a happy mind.
I would recommend volunteering for everybody: there are so many areas to explore, so many ways to get involved in your community.
If you’re inspired by Millie to get involved in volunteering check out opportunities here and overseas on CareerHub and if you want help choosing the right role for you we can help – book a one-to-one appointment with us.
