Questions to Ask Yourself

Before joining a service or volunteer program you should ask yourself (and the program staff) some hard questions.

Vision

• What is the philosophy that drives the program?

• What kind of voice do participants have in providing future direction for the program?

• What is the role of community members in defining the program and its work?

• Where do you want to see the program in 5 years?

• How does the program's philosophy differ from my own values?

Roles

• Will I be part of a service team, or will I be working alone?

• To whom will I be accountable, and what happens when there are conflicts?

• Will I be starting a new project or am I inheriting a job that already exists?

• What do I do when I strongly disagree with a policy/practice/action?

• Will I be working collaboratively with community members?

• What kinds of roles am I comfortable with? Which roles will be challenging for me?

Structure

• Will I be working alone or in a team?

• Will I get to choose my service placement, or will it be decided by the organization?

• How will the work being done in the community be supported once I leave?

• How have the work sites/communities been chosen?

• How many other paid full-time or part-time staff does the organization employ?

• Are there other people who will be fulfilling a similar role at the organization?

• Has the organization employed people of my age and experience previously?

• What kind of structure(s) do I need to meet my potential?

Support

• What initial training will I receive? What kind of ongoing training and support?

• How will my work be supervised?

• What kinds of benefits are a part of the compensation?

• Health insurance? Dental?

• What will the work environment be like? Is this an environment in which I learn well?

Professional Development

• Are there opportunities for participants to have intentional conversations about their work?

• What have graduates of the program gone on to do?

• How will the program prepare me for meeting my future goals?