As Hurricane Harvey continues to cause devastation through Texas, many people are coming together to rescue survivors and help them through the aftermath.

It may seem on the surface that there couldn't be a downside to volunteer work. After all, aren't people supposed to give back a little, help others in need and otherwise engage in selfless pursuits?

Aside from the tangible benefits of volunteering, which may include building a house for Habitat for Humanity or getting clerical duties done at a hospital, the intangible benefits of volunteering are numerous.

If you want to volunteer, be prepared for some competition. Nonprofit organizations often have more applicants than positions, so many are using a formal screening process to select appropriate volunteers. A report by the organization "Volunteering in America" notes that 1.

Volunteer work provides an organization with a free resource to help it meet its mission or goals, which often include filling the gap between an individual or community’s resources and those provided by the government.