Volunteering vs. internships in New Zealand: a comparative overview

In New Zealand, both volunteering and internships offer valuable experiences that can enhance someone’s skills, knowledge, and career prospects. While these two terms are often used interchangeably, they differ in their structure, purpose, and benefits. This article will explore the key differences between volunteering and internships in New Zealand, including their definitions, opportunities, and advantages.

Definitions

• Volunteering: A volunteer for an organisation is someone who’s offering their time and skills for free. Corporate volunteering is when programs are organised by companies to encourage and enable their employees to participate in volunteering, such as volunteering at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter for a day. It’s often driven by a desire to contribute to a cause, support a community, or help with charitable or non-profit work.

• Internship: An internship is a structured work experience program that is typically offered to students or recent graduates. Interns are usually placed in an organisation to gain practical experience in a specific field, such as business, marketing, engineering, or healthcare. Internships should be paid, and they can often serve as a stepping stone to full-time employment.

What are the key differences between the two?

Compensation:

Volunteering should be unpaid, though some volunteer roles may receive reimbursements for out-of-pocket expenses like travel or food. The Employment Relations Act 2000 defines a volunteer as someone who doesn’t expect or receive payment for their work.

Internships, on the other hand, should be paid. Due to this, internships are more commonly found in private sector industries or large organisations.

Duration and time commitment:

Volunteering tends to be more flexible, with no fixed duration. Volunteers can choose how much time they dedicate to their roles – whether it’s a few hours per week or a more intense full-time commitment.

Internships usually have a set duration, ranging from a few weeks to several months. Interns are often expected to work a specific number of hours per week, and the role is typically more structured than volunteering.

Learning opportunities:

Volunteering can provide a diverse range of skills, but it’s generally more about giving back to the community. Volunteers may not always gain direct professional experience or mentorship.

Internships are designed to offer targeted professional experience in a specific field. Interns work under the supervision of experienced professionals and are often given the opportunity to build specialised skills that are directly relevant to their career goals.

Career path and networking:

Volunteering is usually more about personal fulfillment and community impact. While it may not directly lead to a paid job, it can provide valuable networking opportunities within the non-profit sector or specific cause-driven organisations. As they aren’t being paid, volunteering shouldn’t be done in strategic roles. For instance, you wouldn’t have a CEO of an organisation as a volunteer.

Internships offer more focused career development. Interns can build connections within their industry, and many internships serve as a direct pipeline to full-time employment within the same organisation or a similar field.

Benefits of corporate volunteering in New Zealand

Some benefits of corporate volunteering include:

• Community impact: volunteering allows individuals to contribute to social, environmental, and community causes that matter to them. This can help improve workplace morale and satisfaction.
• Personal fulfillment: many volunteers report a sense of personal satisfaction and emotional fulfillment by giving back to society, learning new perspectives, and making a positive impact. It’s a good way to help staff feel fulfilled.
• Corporate social responsibility: Corporate social responsibility (CSR) refers to a company’s commitment to operating in an ethical and sustainable way, addressing social, environmental, and economic issues to benefit society. Volunteering allows companies to directly engage with and support their communities, demonstrating genuine care for societal well-being.

 Benefits of offering internships in New Zealand

• Fresh perspectives: Interns often bring new ideas, creativity, and a fresh outlook to the workplace. Their unique perspectives can help solve problems or inspire innovation.
• Talent pipeline: Internships can serve as a period to identify and shape potential full-time employees. Employers can assess an intern’s skills, work ethic, and cultural fit before making a long-term commitment.
• Increased productivity: Interns can take on smaller tasks or projects, freeing up full-time employees to focus on more strategic or complex responsibilities.
• Cost-effective training: Internships provide an opportunity to train and develop future professionals in a cost-effective way, ensuring they are well-prepared for industry challenges.

They’re both valuable tools

Volunteering and internships in New Zealand each offer distinct advantages, catering to different goals and aspirations. Volunteering provides the opportunity to give back to the community, develop diverse skills, and find personal fulfillment, while internships deliver structured, career-focused experiences that build industry-specific expertise and professional networks. Whether you’re looking to contribute to a cause or kick-start a career, both pathways can help shape meaningful, rewarding experiences that leave a lasting impact.

Citation HR can help

The rules around interns can be tricky and it’s best to consult with HR experts if you’re considering taking them on board. Our team of HR experts are here to help you every step of the way. Get in contact with us today to set up a confidential call and have your questions answered.