EMPLOYERS

Volunteering gives people a chance to step into environments where work is happening and people are solving problems. They meet staff, leaders, and other volunteers who are already doing the work. These natural interactions make it easier to ask questions, learn about different roles, and begin building relationships. Over time, those connections can lead to recommendations, job opportunities, or simply a better understanding of other people.

It also helps people connect with a sense of purpose. Volunteer experiences are often centered around helping others, improving a community, or supporting a cause. This makes it easier to see how effort leads to impact. These moments help them understand what feels meaningful to them.

Just as important, volunteering instills habits that matter in any career. They learn how to show up, communicate, and be part of something bigger than themselves. Volunteering helps people see how their strengths can contribute to real needs, which is where the connection between purpose and work becomes clear.

Volunteer Ideas

• United Way of Hancock County routinely organizes opportunities for individuals, groups, and businesses as well as keeps a list of active volunteer needs.

• Local service clubs (e.g., Kiwanis, Elks, VFW, Rotary) participate in community events and other volunteer opportunities. If you are a member of one such club, invite a student to volunteer with you.

• School districts often organize volunteer opportunities for their students. Students should take on active participatory roles in these experiences to make connections.

• Non-profit organization events raise funds to help those they serve. While events may include galas, 5Ks, garage sales, etc. the monies raised and time spent organizing the event provides for countless individuals in the community each year.

Days off of school and summer breaks are great times for students to job shadow in the workplace. Job shadow experiences typically last one (1) business day, with the student following a professional around and learning about their day-to-day tasks.

Supporters can help students arrange a job shadow by starting with interests, not job titles. Ask simple questions like, “What kind of work do you want to see up close?” or “Do you want to work with people, tools, or technology?” Once there’s a general direction, look within your existing network of friends, coworkers, neighbors, or community members.

If a connection is not obvious, Raise the Bar can help the student reach out more broadly (complete this form to help Raise the Bar find a good fit). This could include contacting local businesses, talking to school staff, or attending community events. The key is to support the student in making the request themselves. Help them practice a simple introduction and ask, but let them take the lead to build confidence and communication skills.

Before the visit, help the student prepare a few questions and understanding basic expectations like being on time and engaged. After the job shadow, encourage them to follow up with a thank-you and reflect on what they learned. These conversations turn a short experience into something more valuable.

Learn more about job shadowing.

Meeting for coffee or lunch is a common part of the professional world. Help someone take part in a simple coffee or lunch meeting to give them early exposure to how adults build relationships. Coffee and lunch also feel more relaxed than a formal interview, which makes it easier to ask questions and learn.

These experiences also help students practice important life skills. Ordering food, making small talk, listening, and showing appreciation are all part of professional etiquette. Students learn how to introduce themselves, keep a conversation going, and be respectful of someone’s time. They can also learn simple habits like arriving on time, putting their phone away, and saying thank you.

Just as important, coffee or lunch meetings teach responsibility and awareness. Students begin to understand things like who pays, how to handle a bill, and how to act in shared spaces. Supporters can guide them ahead of time so there are no surprises, and the first time or two may include the supporter at the coffee/lunch. Over time, their confidence will carry into interviews, workplaces, and other important opportunities.

In Findlay, business coffee and lunches typically occur at:

• Baker’s Cafe

• Bistro

• Coffee Amici

• Japan West

• Logan’s Irish Pub

• Mancy’s Steakhouse (Hancock Hotel)

• Rossilli’s

• Stix

• Tiger Lily Coffee Company

Making introductions is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to help a person build connections. Supporters can open the door by connecting their child or friend to someone in their network who is willing to share their experience. The introduction does not need to be formal. A short message or quick conversation that explains who the student is and what they are interested in is enough to get started. This helps remove the fear of reaching out and shows the student that people are often willing to help.

Too often overlooked, but often one of the best places to meet professionals from outside of the community, local college/university events should be attended. Colleges and universities host seminars, festivals, guest speakers, summits, research conferences, etc. Each event welcomes new perspectives and possible connections to Northwest Ohio.

ANNUAL EVENTS

• University of Findlay

  • Symposium for Scholarship and Creativity

  • Fridays at Findlay

  • Information Assurance Forum

  • Mazza Museum Weekend Conference

• Bowling Green State University

  • Public and Allied Health Symposium

  • State of the Region

  • TEDxBGSU

  • The Hatch

  • The Arts

• Bluffton University

  • Forum and Friday Colloquium

• University of Toledo

  • Saturday Morning Science

  • Family Business Center