By Ella Morgans
For young adults venturing out into the job market, it’s nearly impossible to secure full time positions. Hundreds apply for one role leading to rejection upon rejection. The common feedback… not enough experience. Every job seems to ask for it. Every application wants proof that you can already do the role. But how are you meant to gain experience when nobody is willing to give it?
It feels like a Catch 22: You can’t get a job without experience, but you can’t get experience without a job.
When I graduated from the University of Exeter in the summer with a degree in Theology and Religion, I found myself in the same position as many graduates: unsure of exactly what I wanted to do, but eager to start building a career.
After countless applications and rejections, I came across Chichester Community Development Trust (CCDT). I reached out and asked if I could volunteer part-time to help with their marketing.
They said yes.
It sounds simple, but that one “yes” completely changed the job market for me.
Volunteering gave me something I desperately needed: an opportunity. It allowed me to explore whether marketing was genuinely the career path I wanted to pursue, but without the immediate pressure of stepping straight into a full-time corporate role.
What surprised me most was how rewarding the experience became beyond just career development. It genuinely felt like I was giving back to the community. The team at CCDT were incredibly welcoming from day one, and I quickly found myself involved in events, campaigns, and projects that connected directly with local people and other volunteers.
Over time, my confidence grew. I learned practical marketing skills, developed professionally, and most importantly, proved that I could do the job.
As a result, I was offered a paid freelance role with the charity, working three days a week. Soon after, I was officially brought onto the team in a part-time role.
The experience I gained at CCDT completely transformed my job applications. Roles that had previously rejected me immediately because I lacked experience were now inviting me to interview. The six months I spent with the charity gave me the credibility, confidence, and practical skills that employers were looking for.
And eventually, it led to me landing my very first full-time marketing role in an industry I have always wanted to be a part of. Without this experience, I don’t think this would have been possible.
At the same time I started, our university placement student, Aston, joined the team. Alongside his university studies, he volunteered his time supporting and assisting the Finance Manager.
Just like me, his hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed. Because of the contribution he made, he was also offered additional paid hours with the charity.
Our journeys are different, but they both highlight the same thing: volunteering can open doors that otherwise feel impossible to unlock.
There is often a misconception that volunteering only benefits the organisation or charity involved. But the reality is that volunteering can be equally beneficial for the individual. It creates opportunities to learn, grow, build confidence, develop skills, meet people, and gain the experience that employers value so highly.
For graduates, students, or anyone feeling stuck trying to enter a new industry, volunteering can be the first crucial step.
Sometimes all it takes is one organisation willing to say yes.
