Is Volunteering a Potential Push Factor for Early Career? A Study on the Perceptions of Bulgarian Students
Is Volunteering a Potential Push Factor for Early Career? A Study on the Perceptions of Bulgarian Students

Author(s): Denitsa Gorchilova-Atanasova, Ekaterina Tosheva
Subject(s): Social Sciences
Published by: Udruženje ekonomista i menadžera Balkana
Keywords: Volunteering; Students; Early career
Summary/Abstract: Multiple studies on the transition phase from higher education to the labour market suggest that the availability of volunteer experience is beneficial for students. This paper presents results from a survey on 525 students at the largest economic university in Bulgaria. Using descriptive and inductive statistical methods, it explores the relationship between volunteering during undergraduate and graduate studies and its influence on students’ perceptions that involvement in volunteering will aid their entry into the job market and support their future career development. The findings show that over 60% of the respondents believe that volunteering will help them in finding a job and is positively valued by potential employers. The development of soft skills stands out as one of the greatest advantages of volunteering for Bulgarian students.

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