Underwriting support from:
Preston Mull, a skill-based volunteer at Well House /Maureen Fleming
Preston works on computer projects with Well House staff members. /Maureen Fleming
Preston Mull is a skill-based volunteer at Well House. He volunteers his computer skills to help the agency get up to speed and get connected. We recently met with Preston and asked him about this volunteer experience.
Q: What is your current/former occupation or experience?
Preston: I graduated in May of 2010 with a degree in Environmental Science. I’m currently unemployed and think volunteering as a good way to apply my skills and learn new ones.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working at Well House? This volunteer project?
P: I enjoy stretching across the boundary between myself and the person I’m teaching. Learning how to communicate what I know to someone else. I enjoy learning more myself (and about myself) through teaching.
Q: What motivates you to volunteer?
P: I want to help other people. Additionally, there is a social motivation in meeting and working with other people – it’s a mutually beneficial arrangement.Volunteering is often more enjoyable than the job search – and more enjoyable than some jobs.
Q: What are the benefits to you with Skill-Based Volunteering?
P: I may be able to learn something new in my field of study or interest while applying my skills as a volunteer. This volunteer project allows me to hone my ability to teach others, which is a great skill to have in itself.
Q: How are you able to use your professional or personal skills in this volunteer project? What benefit do your particular skills provide to Well House?
P: Well House is benefiting through my teaching the staff the basics of a computer – what Windows, email, websites are. This knowledge will enable them to complete current tasks and open up new opportunities for Well House and for the staff in their own personal lives.
Q: Do you plan to continue using your skills to volunteer in the future?
P: Yes, I have interest and experience in math, writing, and tutoring. Writing plays a big role in the scientific field. I’d like to use those skills somehow.
The Rapidian, a program of the 501(c)3 nonprofit Community Media Center, relies on the community’s support to help cover the cost of training reporters and publishing content.
We need your help.
If each of our readers and content creators who values this community platform help support its creation and maintenance, The Rapidian can continue to educate and facilitate a conversation around issues for years to come.
Please support The Rapidian and make a contribution today.