Features

Step Up and Serve

Unique volunteer opportunities that can align with your future career

Mikayla Ho, Center Spread Editor • 15 Views

February 13, 2026

With the future in our hands, getting experience is one of the most important things in order to find out what career you want to pursue. One way to expose yourself to different occupations is by volunteering at specific places to become more career-oriented. As high school students, it is important to explore your interests and find out what you want to do in life.

Step Up and Serve

Gain experience in caring for animals and learn how veterinarians do so. (Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA)

Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA

Interested in veterinary work? Local to the Bay Area, the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA is a nonprofit organization that specializes in caring for and finding homes for thousands of animals. You can expect to be exposed to different areas of caring for animals through the many volunteer positions the organization offers. The PHS/SPCA offers Junior Volunteer positions to those 13 to 17 years of age. The organization requires junior volunteers ages 13 to 15 to be accompanied by a parent or guardian, while 16 to 17 year old volunteers can work on their own in limited roles. Additionally, all junior volunteers are obligated to volunteer two hours per week for six months.

Visit volunteer page here: https://phs-spca.org/volunteer/
Get first-hand experience working in the medical field by watching how doctors work. (San Mateo Medical Center)

San Mateo Medical Center

One way to jump-start your medical journey is to volunteer for the San Mateo Medical Center, with additional nearby community clinics in Daly City and Redwood City. Volunteers must be at least 15 years of age, with parental consent. Moreover, volunteers are expected to commit to a minimum of four hours per week. In order to volunteer, you must go through an application and interview process. The center offers long-term, seasonal, and summer programs where you will experience non-medical roles in a medical environment. From greeting visitors to assisting in clinics, you will become skilled in communication and support.

Visit volunteer page here: https://www.smchealth.org/smmc-volunteer
Support young children on their musical journey, while engaging with your future interest. (Do Re Mi Project)

Do Re Mi Project

If you are interested in music as a career or want to share your skills, consider The Do Re Mi Project. The Do Re Mi Project is an international nonprofit that focuses on making music education accessible to elementary and middle school students. This program gives a chance for high school students ages 14 to 18 to tutor students online. Tutors are required to have at least five years of experience with their instrument and concurrently take private lessons. Additionally, the program provides dedicated tutors with the opportunity to play and learn from professional musicians via Zoom, and offers their Accelerando Scholarship to help tutors progress on their musical journey.

Visit volunteer page here: https://www.doremiproject.org/tutor.html
Surround yourself with the culture and history of Asian art, while also helping visitors have a memorable visit. (Asian Art Museum (San Francisco))

The Asian Art Museum of San Francisco

Located in The City, The Asian Art Museum of San Francisco welcomes volunteers ages 16 and up to venture into the world of historical Asian art and culture. Frontline volunteers are expected to regularly volunteer for at least one hour with a minimum of 96 hours in a year, equivalent to two four-hour shifts per month. The museum provides numerous opportunities to those that volunteer, including the chance to learn more about Asian art firsthand, access to the museum’s research library, invitations to special events, and many more.

Visit volunteer page here: https://about.asianart.org/volunteering/

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About the Contributor

Mikayla Ho, Center Spread Editor

Mikayla is a sophomore returning for her second year in journalism as a Center Spread Editor and Social Media Manager. After getting the chance to experience the culture of student newspapers, she is ecstatic to be back and play an active role for The Thunderbolt. Mikayla has always wanted to write for the school newspaper and is grateful for gaining the experience. She finds journalism an incredible opportunity to express her interests in writing, reading, and communicating. In her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to music, volunteering, sleeping, and attending concerts. Mikayla has high hopes for the journalism class this school year and is optimistic they will achieve great milestones and recognition!