Why I decided to volunteer

Young Talk 2026 is my first volunteering experience this year. I joined the marketing team, and it gave me a chance to meet new people, take responsibility, and become more confident. More than anything, it reminded me why I enjoy being part of a community.

I have always liked being active in the community, meeting people and making new friends. For me, volunteering is not only about giving your time. It is also about trying something new, learning from other people, and doing something useful for the community.

One of my close friends was volunteering at Young Talk and told me about the opportunity. I was interested, so I decided to join. I saw it as a good chance to get out of my comfort zone and do something different.

I also enjoy being around people and connecting with them. That is why the opportunity felt like a good fit for me.

My role in Young Talk 2026

My role is in marketing. It is interesting to see how much work happens behind an event. When we attend an event, we usually see the final result. As a volunteer, I could see the planning and small tasks that help make the event happen.

Working with marketing also gave me a chance to use my creativity and communicate with other people. At the same time, I had to take responsibility for my tasks and make sure I did my part well.

Getting out of my comfort zone

One of the main reasons I wanted to volunteer was to challenge myself. Doing something for the first time can feel a little uncomfortable, especially when you are not sure how everything will go.

For me, taking responsibility for a task is one of the moments that helped me grow. I had to trust myself and get the work done instead of waiting for someone else to do it. It may sound like a small thing, but it makes me feel more capable.

I learned that confidence does not always come before you start. Sometimes, you become confident because you take the first step and learn by doing.

The people I met

One of the most memorable parts of Young Talk 2026 was meeting people from different backgrounds. Everyone has their own experiences and stories, and I enjoyed getting to know people and sharing moments with them.

This is one of the things I like most about volunteering. You may join because you want to help, but you can also leave with new friends, new connections, and memories that you did not expect.

Why it was important to me as an Energy Technology student

As an Energy Technology student, the Wasa Future Festival is personally important to me. Energy is the field I am studying, so being part of an event connected to this area was a valuable experience.

Getting the chance to volunteer made it even more meaningful. I could be part of the event while also learning skills outside my studies. University life is not only about lectures, assignments and exams. Experiences like volunteering can teach you communication, teamwork, responsibility and confidence in a very practical way.

What I learned

My biggest learning from Young Talk 2026 is confidence growth. I became more comfortable taking responsibility and trusting myself.

I also learned that personal growth can come from simple experiences. Meeting new people, working with a team, and taking care of a task can all teach you something about yourself.

A small message to future volunteers

If you are thinking about volunteering, my advice is simple: give it a try. You do not need to know everything before you start. You can learn along the way.

Volunteering helps you grow. It can help you become more confident, meet people you would not normally meet, and discover skills you did not know you had.

For me, Young Talk 2026 is more than just another event. It is a chance to step outside my comfort zone, connect with people, take responsibility, and grow. I am happy that I said yes to the opportunity, and I hope this is only the beginning of more volunteering experiences in the future.