Finance professional urges young professionals to engage in local volunteering as a path to personal growth and collective prosperity
Texas, US, 13th May 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, Spencer Short, a Digital VEA at Morgan Stanley and Texas A&M graduate, is calling on young professionals across the country to invest their time—not just in careers—but in their communities. Drawing on years of personal experience in volunteer service, Short is advocating for greater involvement in local charitable efforts to foster both personal development and long-term community well-being.
“Too often we think prosperity is only about money or climbing a career ladder,” said Short. “But I’ve found that volunteering gave me more perspective, stronger connections, and made me better at everything—including my job.”
A Call to Do More
Short, originally from San Antonio and now based in Atlanta, has volunteered with a range of organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Mobile Loaves & Fishes, Special Olympics, and The Food Bank. His involvement began as a teenager and continued through college and into his professional life.
“I wasn’t always sure of myself in school or in work,” Short said. “Volunteering gave me real confidence because it taught me how to show up for others first. That changes how you show up for yourself.”
According to a study by UnitedHealth Group, 76% of people who volunteer say it makes them feel healthier, and 78% report that it lowers their stress. Another 95% say that volunteering adds purpose to their lives. Data from the Corporation for National and Community Service shows that communities with higher volunteer engagement have stronger civic health, better educational outcomes, and lower poverty rates.
“It’s not just feel-good stuff. There’s real evidence that when people give their time, whole communities do better—educationally, economically, even physically,” Short added.
Building the Skills Money Can’t Buy
Short believes community service is particularly valuable for young adults just starting their careers. “Volunteering builds soft skills—communication, teamwork, resilience—that you won’t find in a classroom or Zoom call,” he said. “It also puts you in situations that test your priorities and your values. That stays with you.”
In today’s rapidly changing work environment, where soft skills are increasingly valued, community involvement provides a unique and authentic setting to develop them. According to LinkedIn’s 2023 Global Talent Trends report, 92% of talent professionals say soft skills are just as important—or more important—than hard skills.
More Than a Resume Booster
While service can help build a resume, Short emphasizes that the deeper reward is personal.
“Volunteering has helped me reset when I’ve felt stuck or lost,” he shared. “You start to see your own problems differently when you’re helping someone else through theirs. It gives you perspective, which is hard to teach.”
A Simple First Step
For those unsure of how to begin, Short recommends starting local and keeping it consistent.
“You don’t need to fly overseas or make a big donation,” he said. “Start with one afternoon a month. Pick something you care about—housing, hunger, youth sports. Just show up and see what happens.”
There are more than 1.5 million nonprofit organizations in the United States, according to the National Center for Charitable Statistics, and most rely heavily on volunteers. Even an hour a week can make a measurable difference.
Spencer Short encourages others—especially college students and young professionals—to find one local organization and get involved. “Don’t wait for the perfect opportunity,” he said. “Pick one and learn as you go. The reward is often greater than you expect.”
To find a local opportunity, visit:
“You don’t need to be in a position of power to have impact,” Short concluded. “You just need to show up, help out, and keep going.”
