Are you a criminology or law graduate looking to gain experience working abroad, but not sure if it may be the right path for you? Then read on to find out how a volunteer placement could be one of the most valuable experiences you will have in your career.
Practising criminology as a fresh graduate can be incredibly daunting and requires rigorous training even after completing your degree. You may wonder how to get started in your career, gain work experience, and apply for criminology jobs. While you can look for career opportunities in your city, volunteering abroad is a real game changer in boosting your knowledge and confidence in this field.
Here are the top 4 reasons why you should volunteer at Vocational Impact’s criminology and law programs:
1. Get Valuable Courtroom Experience
Real experience is worth a tonne of theory. Volunteering at our programmes will give you an opportunity to work in multiple settings on-field and off. For example, the Criminology and Law programme in South Africa will not only give you a chance to work closely with NGO officials and specialist legal practitioners, but also to provide legal advice to migrants and refugees, and participate in community outreach programmes. This work will open your eyes to how their legal system varies from your home country, and the legal and social issues prevalent there.
You’ll build your confidence by honing interpersonal skills, communication and your knowledge of criminology, law, human rights and even psychology which will help you handle the most complex cases once you start practising back home.
2. Bag top-paying criminology jobs
There are many career opportunities out there, but if you want to bag one of the best jobs, it often demands a high level of experience and varied skill sets to handle sensitive cases of crime or law. Employers are usually bombarded with several hundred resumes for a single job vacancy. So the mention of volunteer work on your resume will be like a breath of fresh air giving you an edge over others.
A study by Deloitte found that 82% of hiring managers preferred candidates with volunteering experience – highlighting that it builds leadership skills, independence and communication skills. Especially in this ‘remote first’ world, employers want to see that you can motivate and push yourself.
You may wonder if there are others with resumes just like yours. Well, not every volunteer programme is the same. The impact you have can be more profound than others. In your interview, you can use your unique experiences during volunteering as examples to showcase your abilities, making the employer more eager to hire you. You will come across as a well-rounded professional who isn’t afraid of working in a challenging environment and is passionate about their work.
3. Serve Communities In A Meaningful Way
Volunteering on our programmes will mean that while gaining experience in criminology you can impact the lives of prisoners; promote justice; help prevent crime; address deep-rooted sociological and human rights issues; and serve the local community.
“I also helped with some community outreach projects and organised recycled shoes and stationery for donation. This was a life-changing experience and being with the children, seeing their positive attitudes and learning about their lives and the work that goes on to support them was incredible.”
– Rachel Hunter, Criminology and Psychology Program
Moreover, unlike typical for-profit organizations, we’re a part of the Arms Around The Child charity, and your contributions support essential services in local communities. When you sign up with Vocational Impact, your fees directly fund those projects you work with, ensuring long-term sustainability and growth.
Our projects rely on skilled volunteers and funding to make a difference. Your fees cover all in-country logistics, accommodation, meals, and training, ensuring that while you gain hands-on experience, the projects continue to thrive and evolve.
You can read more about our fees and how we use the funding here.
4. Explore A New Culture And Broaden Your Horizons
Volunteer work can change your worldview, help you shed misconceptions about cultures different from the one you are used to, and gain a fresh perspective on work and life. Read what Rebecca from the Criminology and Law programme in Ghana has learned from her volunteer experience—
‘Within Australia, I feel as though we surround our life around our work, and often struggle to set that boundary. From my perspective of the project and of Ghana, the work lifestyle is significantly more laid back. I took the Ghanaian laid-back work ethic as an opportunity to bond with the staff and delve into their culture.’
– Rebecca Prado – Criminology & Law Programme, Ghana
These life lessons are rare to come by once you start your career as a criminologist and your time volunteering in the field may be the only chance you get to truly experience something this unique.
Apart from criminology experience, you can use your free time to plan trips to popular attractions in the vicinity, enjoy the local food and take in the surrounding beauty during your stay.
FAQs
Not quite convinced yet? Have questions about your volunteer experience? Read on to find answers to commonly asked questions.
What Is Our Most Popular Criminology & Law Programme?
Among our law and criminology courses, Vocational Impact’s Law and Human Rights programme in South Africa has been popular among students. This program gives you a chance to truly make a difference and gain the most out of your work experience. You will be able to gain practical work experience working with a leading human rights charity and participate in local drives to increase awareness about human rights and social justice.
What Will My Accommodation Be Like?
When you enrol in one of our programs, you will be provided with safe and comfortable accommodation, close to your assigned placements, to unwind after a long day of volunteer work. You will share the space with other volunteers like you, giving you a chance to socialise and share your experiences at the end of the day.
The place will be kept clean and tidy by local staff. Moreover, a Volunteer Manager and a Volunteer Coordinator will be there on-site to make sure you are provided with your daily needs and everything is running smoothly.
How Can I Fund My Volunteering Placement?
You can fundraise for your programme in 4 simple steps.
Step 1: You need to figure out your budget depending on the program of your choice.
Step 2: You need to set up an online page to receive donations. There are lots of free platforms where you can do this.
Step 3: Create an impactful story explaining why people should contribute to your fundraiser.
Step 4: Start fundraising!
Fundraising is an important part of any volunteer or NGO activity. If you need more guidance, we at Vocational Impact are here to help! Check out our fundraising page for more information and click here if you want to speak to our Volunteer support team.
Still have questions? Check out our FAQs section – which covers every question you may have about volunteering with us.
Alternatively, if you feel ready to start planning your volunteer program with Vocational Impact, you can fill out our enquiry form right away!
This way, we can help tailor the program to your expectations. Hurry, only limited spaces available on each program!
