Hey How common is it do voluntary work?

djw1cked

Hi

I am a MSc (Masters) student studying Accounting and Finance. I have relatively little office experience (2 months) and none directly relating to Accounting. (Got 2:2 in my undergraduate studying Business Management)

Having completed 9/10 exams for the academic year, I only have 1 module left which is in the evening, next semester. Therefore aside from the time I spend on my dissertation which is due in August (and progressing well), I effectively have a lot of "free time" and have 9-5 free.

I was wondering whether I should apply to work voluntarily for an Accountancy firm (there are loads) in Birmingham? How do professional organizations handle people who want to gain experience for free (e.g in a Junior Accountant role or even unrelated as long as it's in an Accountancy firm)? Unfortunately I don't have any personal contacts I can use.

I have 10 weeks of the semester so I can't commit long term and finances seem to be ok just at the moment so I don't want to spend 5 weeks looking for a paid job and have to quit shortly after. The primary reason I would like to do voluntary work is to get "my foot in the door" so to speak when applying for 2009 graduate schemes.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Muchos Gracias.
DJ Wicked

Voyager2002

Just ask: any firm ought to be interested in meeting you.

Since Accountancy is not really a charity, people might find it easier to understand if you were to apply for part-time clerical work and explain that you have lots of knowledge and relevant skills that you would make available to them.

Beta_Block_Party

Don't be afraid to call up some firms - they will be grateful of the offer (it's a no brainer isn't it - free services from someone with training!). The experience will be very useful for your CV and you can call the shots in terms of how much time you give. Make sure they get you involved in work that will be useful to you - ie not tea making or filing. Although you will have to manage this tactfully so you're not seen as an 'above others' type. This is your free time you are giving after all, so others should be aware of that.

foreign_correspondent

If you want to volunteer, why not contact our university's volunteer co-ordinator (there will very likely be one) and see of you could volunteer in the accounts department of a local charity or voluntary organisation? They are more likely to be used to working with volunteers and more prepared to take you on, and ofer appropriate support.

crism

.. or try gumtree.com in your area: post an ad - I'm pretty sure that someone will reply. It helped me before

takoo

Hi Djwicked

What's your startegy?

Are you seeking work experience in accounting?

Suit the 'jobs' to your future career strategy / plans / intentions....?

What specialisms would you see developing for yourself?

Would anything fit your dissertation subject?

Where do you want to be in five years' time?

Good luck

Takoo

PasturesNew

Why not look for an accountancy temp agency and actually work through an agency for pay in accountancy departments of firms.

That way you're earning money, which is always useful and doing a real job. Working as a temp you'll get really good experience in how several real companies actually organise and do their accounts. They'll all do things differently, which will be handy later on when you work perhaps in more formal organisations that are distanced from real companies at ground level.

There's always a need for various roles, from book-keeper to invoicing clerk.

Decla

You may want to ask advice from your university's career service. I looked at the University of Birmingham's website at http://www.as.bham.ac.uk/study/support/careers/workex/index.shtml and they have plenty on volunteering and work experience. If that isn't where you're studying there may be equivalent at your university. They may be able to advise you on which firms to go for, who may have been helpful in the past and also the best approaches regarding contacting firms speculatively.

Your university may also have a volunteering service or links to a local one. You are likely to get the most out of the time you spend if you go through more official channels and also health and safety checks will have been carried out and the reputation of the company investigated.

djw1cked

Hi

OP here. Thanks for your advice. I think I will be going to Accountancy agencies in the hope there are jobs going. Decla, I have found my relevant careers services page (Aston) and will be working from there. If that don't work, I will be speaking to volunteer co-coordinator. If all else fails, I will start phoning the companies directly, got nothing to lose.

Thanks for the advice guys.

dmg24

TBH I would be amazed if agencies would be able to assist you as you have no practical experience (theory and practice are two very different things in finance). No harm in asking though ...

Good luck x

djw1cked

Hi

I would be pleasantly surprised hence the original query about doing voluntary work. lol.

Thanks for all the input guys, I will let you know how it works out.

Thanks