Volunteer / Student Placement

I have discovered that there are some similarities and difference to what volunteers and placement students are expecting when entering an agency. Since they expect different things there are different aspects that should be considered when managing them.

Volunteers:

• Given small tasks to learn about the agency when first starting out.
• Come in to specfically help the organization in which they volunteer.
• Few responsibilities.
• Will do any task to help out.
• Like to be shown appreciation.
• Do not come with the expectation to learn anything, but are pleasantly surprised if they do.

Placement Students:

• Given small tasks to learn learn about the agency when first starting out, then moves on to more advanced tasks.
• Come to the organization to gain experiences.
• Given many responsibilities, with little training.
• Appreciates being given tasks that will help them learn a new skill.
• Likes to be shown appreciation.

It has come to my notice that organizations could be great at managing volunteers and struggle when  managing placement student.