VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION AS A SCHOOL OF STUDENTS’ VOCATIONAL TRIALS

The successful employment of graduates from educational institutions depends largely on the practical work experience in the field of study. A large number of employers consider this factor to be essential. Students can get professional experience by being involved in volunteer activities, especially if these activities are provided by professionally relevant communities of practice. This type of volunteer organizations can be established by an educational institution in cooperation with social partners. The aim of the research is to study the educational potential of volunteer organizations to provide vocational experience for university and college students during their studies. Vocationally oriented volunteer organizations where students can get vocational experience have been identified. However, a more efficient way to provide vocational experience for students is to establish volunteer organizations affiliated with an educational institution which collaborates with social partners (local authorities, state and private companies). The paper presents an example of establishing and operating a volunteer organization for students with the aim of widening the curriculum and providing students with an opportunity for getting vocational experience in the field of preventing and controlling man-made, social and natural hazards. The vocational training was conducted in university laboratories, during real local emergencies and regional volunteer contests. The anonymous survey method has been used for investigating the influence of students’ involvement in volunteer activities on their professional identity. Changes in students’ motivation levels have been revealed by comparing their academic performance in general educational and in special disciplines. The results of the anonymous survey showed both the positive shift in the professional identity of students participating in the activity of the volunteer organization as well as increased motivation to study vocationally relevant academic disciplines.

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