Being proactive creates opportunities and can give you the courage to take opportunities that align with your values.
Taking opportunities
Sometimes opportunities come your way and fall right into your lap. In these rare cases the opportunity still needs to be taken. You may be nervous about what the opportunity entails. You can be proactive here to find more out about the project and to ask questions to determine if you think it is worth your time taking or applying for. Sometimes there may be little information available. In these cases you may consider taking the opportunity regardless as it is possible to drop it later if it isn't right for you. Be bold and courageous if you believe that the opportunity could be right for you. Even if you feel unqualified at this point in time, you may realise that you underestimated yourself.
Opportunities most often do not make themselves. You often have to look for them or be connected to the right people. Often opportunities create opportunities as you build your network, but to start with you will likely need to find them yourself. Research online, ask people questions and look for projects and initiatives. At present there are lots of opportunities for young people aged between 16-25, you just need to search for them and write a short application.
Making opportunities
You can go one step further than finding opportunities and that is creating them for yourself. Sometimes this could be asking people questions or presenting ideas to others with influence. You could band together with your friends to create a group or a society that organise activities and events. Often teachers maybe willing to support these activities if asked.
Making opportunities requires boldness - the willingness to stand out, and this can be learnt and developed over time. For further information on how to develop your skills in boldness, making and taking opportunities see the podcasts below.