I strongly second this. This doesn’t even have to mean direct EA work—I think you learn a lot even by volunteering for non-EA causes (a few hours knocking on doors for a political candidate, an evening at a soup kitchen, etc.). It’s good to see how nonprofits of all stripes organize their events and volunteers, and also good to be able to discuss the different nonprofit experiences you’ve had. (It’s easy to come across as “do-nothing philosopher idly speculating” when you talk about EA with someone who spends every weekend volunteering, and that’s not a good look.)
I strongly second this. This doesn’t even have to mean direct EA work—I think you learn a lot even by volunteering for non-EA causes (a few hours knocking on doors for a political candidate, an evening at a soup kitchen, etc.). It’s good to see how nonprofits of all stripes organize their events and volunteers, and also good to be able to discuss the different nonprofit experiences you’ve had. (It’s easy to come across as “do-nothing philosopher idly speculating” when you talk about EA with someone who spends every weekend volunteering, and that’s not a good look.)