Does volunteer work count as professional experience?

Yes, volunteering can be considered as work experience, especially if you lack professional experience or if it is relevant to the role you are seeking. It can be used to emphasize specific kinds of experience or stand in the place of traditional work experience on a resume. Many skills utilized in volunteering are transferable to professional positions, making it a valuable addition to your resume. Additionally, listing volunteering on your resume can help explain gaps in your employment history, highlight certain transferable skills, showcase knowledge and experience in a particular area, demonstrate your interests and passions, communicate your values, display development in a certain area or in general, and demonstrate on-the-job experience when you are a student or a recent graduate.