”Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” – Martin Luther King Jr.
Teksti Vipul Agrawal
Kuvat Olli-Pekka Latvala
From left to right: Jonna, Oluwaseyi, Milla, Abraham, Joel and Vipul (me) at Projektipäivät 2024.
Now that year 2024 has come to an end, it marks three years since I moved to Europe from India and over two years of living in Finland. While I love the warmth of summer here, I equally enjoy the coldness of winter. It brings a magical experience – sipping glögi, the northern lights dancing across the sky, sauna and ice swimming, and everything blanketed in pure white snow. But winter also brings the long, dark days, offering the perfect time to reflect on the year gone by.
When I sat down to think about what truly made a difference in my life this year or what brought me the most satisfaction, one thing stood out: my volunteering experience with IPMA Young Crew Finland.
Volunteering has been a defining part of my journey. It’s given me opportunities to grow, learn, and contribute in ways I hadn’t imagined. In this article, I want to share my experiences and explain why I believe everyone should volunteer at least once in their lifetime.
It all began in December 2023…
Soon after completing my master’s degree, I started looking for full-time job opportunities. However, after spending some time in the job market, I realised how challenging it was to break through. I asked myself; how can I make this period meaningful? I wanted to stay active, strengthen my CV, and continue developing my project management skills.
Fortunately, one of my friends shared a LinkedIn post about YC Finland’s 2024 elections. Intrigued, I applied, and to my excitement, my application was accepted. That’s when my journey as a volunteer Project Manager with IPMA Young Crew Finland began. My first project was organising an online workshop, which turned out to be a rewarding learning experience.
After successfully completing that project, I was encouraged by Milla Ranta (Chair of the Board, YC Finland) to apply for a board role. In April 2024, I was thrilled to step into the role of Head of Academic and Business Relations. Since then, I’ve worked on diverse projects, such as setting up YC Finland’s booth at Projektipäivät 2024, collaborating with academic and business institutions to expand our network, developing internal operations, and coordinating the recent Elections 2025.
Each of these experiences not only enhanced my professional and personal skills but also gave me a sense of purpose. Ultimately, the skills and confidence I gained through volunteering played a significant role in helping me land a job.
So, what has one year of volunteering at IPMA YC Finland given me?
1. Satisfaction
There’s a unique joy in creating something meaningful. When I see how much value our webinars or workshops bring to participants, it gives me a deep sense of satisfaction. Knowing that I’ve made a positive impact, whether it’s helping someone learn a new skill or connecting them with opportunities, has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my journey.
2. Improved Confidence
Volunteering pushed me out of my comfort zone. From speaking in front of audiences to managing diverse teams and stakeholders, each challenge strengthened my confidence. Over time, I learned to trust my abilities, take ownership of projects, and adapt to new situations with ease.
3. New Connections
Moving to a new country can feel isolating at times, but volunteering helped me build meaningful local connections. Through YC Finland, I’ve met incredible professionals, collaborated with inspiring individuals, and expanded my network across Finland’s academic and business communities.
4. Skills Development
Volunteering offers a unique opportunity to try, fail, and learn in a supportive environment. I’ve strengthened skills like project planning, event management, stakeholder communication, and even social media marketing. Each task has added to my toolkit, preparing me for challenges in the professional world.
In this fast-paced world, I’ve often felt the need for something more meaningful. Volunteering gave me that by showing me the joy of giving back, the value of connections, and the fulfilment of contributing to something greater. It’s also a powerful way to build networks and grow personally in today’s evolving professional landscape.
That’s why I believe everyone should volunteer at least once. It’s not just about giving, it’s about finding purpose, building community, and discovering yourself.
