How volunteering can help young people see new career possibilities
This year, as we celebrate the International Year of the Volunteer, we’re shining a spotlight on the people who give their time, energy and care to make a difference in their communities.
"When they realise they can turn something they love into a career, you can almost see the weight lift from their shoulders. It’s like a lightbulb turns on."
When Sonia McConnachie first discovered a role at Inspiring the Future Aotearoa through SEEK Volunteer, she saw it as an opportunity to combine two of her greatest passions: giving back to her community and helping young people realise their potential. Little did she know just how rewarding that role would be.
A marketing agency founder with more than 20 years of experience, Sonia is now one of Inspiring the Future Aotearoa’s Career Role Models, visiting schools across the country to share her professional journey, to encourage students to think beyond traditional career paths.
She has found it incredibly rewarding to spend time with young Kiwis – chatting to them about careers, passions and running a business – and helping them realise there isn’t just one path to success.
Why did she start volunteering?
Sonia started volunteering very early in life. Her earliest memories of volunteering are when she was just three years old, accompanying her mother on Meals on Wheels deliveries. While her mum delivered meals, Sonia’s “job” was to chat with the older residents – something that planted the seed for what would later become a lifelong commitment to giving back.
Volunteering remained a constant in Sonia’s life, regardless of where she lived or how busy her working life became. She describes volunteering as something that has kept her grounded throughout every stage of life. During busy periods in business, it helped remind her of the bigger picture. Now that she’s semi-retired, it allows her to still meet new people, learn new things, and continue to use the skills she learned over decades in business.
What volunteering work does she do?
As an Inspiring the Future Aotearoa volunteer Career Role Model, Sonia talks to older high-school students – either in person or online – sharing her career journey at a time when they’re beginning to think about life after school.
Rather than lengthy lectures or presentations, the sessions are intentionally interactive and collaborative. Students first try to guess each volunteer’s occupation then hear first-hand about the volunteers’ career journeys and the different paths that led them there. Students then break into smaller groups with the volunteers where they can ask anything from what a typical workday looks like to the inevitable question of how much money they earn.
What does she enjoy the most about volunteering?
For Sonia, the most rewarding part of volunteering is witnessing the moment a young person’s perspective changes. Many of the students she meets start out believing there are only a handful of ‘acceptable’ career options. Some feel pressure to choose a university degree they're not passionate about or to pursue a career path simply because they're good at a particular subject.
When she shares her story of how she built a successful business around something she genuinely loves doing, students see how their own interests and talents could become careers too. Those conversations are especially meaningful for students who don’t see themselves following a conventional career path. For Sonia, those ‘lightbulb moments’ are what make volunteering so worthwhile.
What is one story that has stayed with her?
After hearing Sonia speak at an event, one student approached her and explained that everyone had always encouraged him to become an accountant because he was great at maths. However, his real passion was for the arts. Sonia explained to him that running a creative business still requires strong business and financial skills. As they chatted, the student realised he didn't have to choose between the two and could pair the subject he was good at with the one he genuinely loved. She still remembers the excitement on his face as he discovered the possibilities; when a difficult decision suddenly became an opportunity.
What has she gained from volunteering?
Sonia wholeheartedly believes that volunteering has given just as much back to her as she has given to others.
There is a wide range of benefits that continue to pleasantly surprise her. Such as meeting fellow volunteer role models with fascinating careers – like forensic scientist and zookeeper – that she may never have met otherwise. The experience has also helped her stay connected to younger generations and understand how the wider world of work, and what young people want in a career, both continue to evolve.
Does she have any advice for those who might be considering volunteering?
Sonia believes everyone has something valuable to share. So, whether it’s giving professional advice, life lessons or just some encouragement, volunteering is an opportunity to make a genuine difference, while also keeping you connected to your community.
She encourages people not to underestimate the impact a single conversation can have. "Give it a go,” she says. You never know whose future you might help shape.