My CV: How I Got an NGO Job After 5 years of Unpaid Volunteering

Tips on how to get a job with an NGO through volunteering

By Elizabeth Benu,

Would you volunteer to land a job with the UN? In a world where experience is a must to help you land a job, a young man took it upon himself to connect young graduates with jobs and opportunities.

Nicholas Jimmy M, an award winning development expert and Director at United Global Volunteers International, a leading International NGO talks about job which has created opportunities for interns, researchers, Gap and exchange programs.

Was volunteering something you want to pursue while growing up?
No. I joined Daystar University to study communication, but ended up in a community development class. In my first year I was invited to a forum supporting people with poverty and HIV/ AIDS and this is what got me attached to community projects.

I can call it my turn around. I used to volunteer for 3 months in turns to different organizations from my first year all through to my fourth year in campus.

Quite impressive. Was it for the money or what was the drive behind it?
In volunteering one gives part of their time, energy and resources free of charge, It was actually out of passion. Some of the communities are too poor to offer anything in return, but when they give you mangoes or roasted potatoes plus a wide smile, it’s all they can afford and most important from their hearts.

Have you ever worked outside an NGO setting?
I have. After clearing campus, I landed a job in a tour company. The company sponsored me for a ticketing course, but after a while I realized that I was poorly placed. Within one year and a few months I resigned to follow my volunteer passion.

This time it was in an NGO where I later resigned and went for a third job which I also resigned. This is when I made up my mind to fully follow my passion by creating the opportunity for people to make key contacts and develop solid industry relationships.

You were jobless for a while, what challenges did you face?
Having resigned, I was torn between fulfilling my personal needs such as paying rent and running the foundation, especially the cost logistics. Sometimes I was too hard on myself, but 5 years later my efforts bore fruit.

How are you helping graduates gain experience with NGOs in Kenya?

I want to give more opportunities to graduates through opening more forums. Currently I work with schools, NGOs, CBOs, Health centers, Orphanages, Wildlife, human rights activists in the following fields: economics, finance, public health, education, nutrition, social science, agriculture, environment, private sector development, social work, doctors, nurses, community development as well as other related fields.

You have been volunteering for the past 10 years, what your advice to young graduates

Do not take internship just as a course fulfillment. This is a mistake I have seen with most graduates. They come in and do a shoddy job and expect a good reference. To avoid this I always ask candidates “what can we do for you?” If my organization cannot live up to their expectations I let them go because the organization has expectations as well.

In achievement, one should learn to unlock full potential, set goals and priorities right, make plans for work and personal life, and increase effectiveness and success.

Do you have any questions on the above or a career story to share? Contact elizabeth@careerpointkenya.co.ke

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