Volunteering, Connecting Up and New Connections
Photo: Matt Salier NVI (New Venture Institute) Director and Volunteer Luis Arellano
Connecting Up Volunteers choose to volunteer with us (or with other non-profit organisations) for a variety of reasons, aside from the humanitarian desire to help their local community and make a difference which is common to all. Some participants find that volunteering assists their career, allowing them to gain new skills, knowledge and new experiences. Others find the social benefits become most important, the opportunity to meet new people, feel part of a team and to create networks and new connections.
We asked our volunteers to share their experiences of volunteering, how they have actively pursued opportunities offered and their search to find doors that will open for them.
Volunteering, Connecting Up and New Connections - Luis Arellano
I began volunteering at Connecting Up a while ago now, when I was undertaking a postgraduate certificate in Information Management at UniSA. We received an email from the University calling for volunteers for a not-for-profit organisation, one that provides support through technology to others - Connecting Up.
The main reason I was driven to volunteer was because I wanted to meet people. Furthermore, along the way I would be able to help others. It is well-worth knowing that one thing leads to another. It was through my Connecting Up staff mentor Poorni Illangasekara, that I received a short-term contract for work in my field, the first since I moved to Adelaide from overseas.
After this contract I returned to volunteering. During my volunteer day at Connecting Up we were informed about an opportunity to volunteer at the Icebreaker18, which is a professional speed networking event organized by Flinders University’s New Venture Institute. Its main purpose is to create an environment for connecting ideas for entrepreneurs and business people.
How exciting that sounded for someone like me who was looking for professional connections, work or a chance to create a job for myself. I jumped in to volunteer right away.
The Icebreaker18 event was held at Flinders at Tonsley, on the 21 of November 2018, for those who live in Adelaide might remember that day for its wild winds. The logistics had to change, instead of a beautiful Spring outdoor event, volunteers successfully scrambled to set up an indoor venue. I ended up that day tired but happy to be part of this ambitious project.
Did I mention that one thing leads to another? After noticing my efforts from the previous day, I received from the Icebreakers18 organizers a free ticket for another event, SouthStart 2018, I just needed to help them for a few hours in their lounge.
SouthStart 2018 is the utmost entrepreneurs, innovators, technologists and leaders’ festival held on 22 and 23 November at Adelaide Town Hall. I must say it was mind blowing. To give you a sneak peek, I had the privilege to attend the presentation of Flavia Tata Nardini, who co-founded Fleet (ARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies), a connectivity company that launched low cost nanosatellites that could be used by Australian farms or any remote user (connectivity platform).
In a nutshell, what a great experience. I came across amazing people, I made connections and new friends. At the end of the day It’s not what you know, it’s who you know that matters most, and it may be through volunteering that you find your new networks.
