Volunteering: It’s more than a section on your resume
Kelsey MacLeod, a CPA Education Foundation award recipient, shares how she leveled up her skills through giving back
Student. Community leader. #GirlBoss. These are just a few of the words that can be used to describe Kelsey MacLeod, the 2020 recipient of the J Lorne Baxter FCPA, FCA Memorial Scholarship.
How did Kelsey make her application stand out among hundreds of CPA Education Foundation award applicants? Volunteering, of course!
Kelsey is no stranger to giving back to her community and has been involved in several on-campus volunteer activities, including being an organizational team member with Students for Literacy and a Tax Reporter for the University of Alberta’s Accounting Club.
Most notable, however, is Kelsey’s position as the Director of Finance for the Champions of Change student club, an affiliate of Plan International at the University of Alberta (U of A). Plan International is dedicated to advancing children’s rights around the world, and the U of A club’s primary mandate is to raise awareness for social issues in the local community, including education rights, gender equality, and healthcare access. Through Champions of Change, Kelsey and the executive team were able to organize a Krispy Kreme fundraiser that resulted in a $3,000 donation of 100 care packages to the Boyle Street Community Centre.
Kelsey notes leadership, public speaking, and organizational skills as the top three skills she’s developed through her volunteerism. “Planning and executing events with Champions of Change have helped me build my teamwork and time-management skills. Volunteering has allowed me to be more confident at applying my skills in lower-risk settings,” says Kelsey.
Kelsey’s dedication to giving back is a great example of how volunteering can become more than a section on your resume—it can have a positive impact on your skill development. According to a 2013 social survey from Statistics Canada, 63 per cent of surveyed volunteers gained interpersonal skills through their volunteer work.
In addition to gaining new skills, volunteering can help students gain industry-specific experience and expand their professional network. So students, do not hesitate when seeking out that extracurricular activity, as it can exceed your initial expectations.
If you’re unsure where to begin, Kelsey suggests attending club fairs and connecting with your campus’s students’ association, but most important is to find a volunteer activity you’re passionate about. “There are so many organizations and initiatives you can get involved in, so it’s not difficult to find an activity that you’re passionate about,” says Kelsey.
As Kelsey prepares to graduate in December 2021 with her Bachelor of Commerce degree from the U of A, it is clear her future is incredibly bright. Kelsey plans to enter the CPA Professional Education Program upon graduation, and the profession can’t wait to welcome her.
The CPA Education Foundation is committed to supporting students, like Kelsey, along their educational journey. Whether you’re an avid volunteer or have appeared on the Dean’s list, there is a Foundation award for you! Check out the full list of awards and information on how to apply.