Volunteer To Career: 14 Career Success Stories

At Tenteleni, we are passionate about supporting the development of our volunteers. After 15 years, we have a lot of successful career stories from our alumni and here are 14 of these stories. Read how the Tenteleni volunteer role has led to careers in teaching, international development, science diplomacy, social work, finance and so many other sectors!

1. Mark Kaye – Tenteleni Project Coordinator, Malawi 2010, now working in Save the Children’s Humanitarian Response Team

Via tenteleni.org

"Well the long and short of it is that without Tenteleni I may never have been sat on this helicopter in opposition held South Sudan. As a student, I seemed to be trapped in a Catch-22 situation where I couldn't get field experience without already having field experience. Tenteleni was the organisation that gave me my first shot, my first experience of working in a developing country, the first line on my CV.

I've had to work very hard since to rise to where I am now but there is no doubt in my mind that the hardest part of getting a job in this sector is getting your foot on the first rung of the ladder. Something I would never have been able to do had it not been for Tenteleni."

2. Katie Rice – Tenteleni Project Coordinator, Kisumu 2012, now Child Protection Social Worker

Via tenteleni.org

"My experience with Tenteleni developed a huge array of skills which have undoubtedly strengthened my performance in applications/ interviews…The key skills I developed include: project management, people management, leadership, diplomacy, negotiation, relationship building, public speaking, training, project development and financial management.

Don’t underestimate the value of ‘frontline’ work at a grassroots level…From my experience, I have learned much more from direct work with children and young people, compared to roles that are entirely desk based."

3. Ella McNab – Tenteleni volunteer, Matsulu 2010 and Pemba 2012, now Programme Manager at Restless Development

Via tenteleni.org

"Volunteering as a teaching assistant in South Africa built my confidence as a facilitator. Facilitation and capacity building are key parts of my current role. Through my voluntary role as Communications Officer on the Tenteleni committee I developed cross-cultural communication skills. These skills have enabled me to build strong relations with the international team at Restless Development, who work across 9 countries in Africa, Asia and the USA.

Looking back at my career development, if I had any piece of advice for someone interested in international development it would be this; overseas experience is really important. Volunteer, explore and find your passion. Don’t be too picky about where you start and focus on developing transferable skills."

4. Tom Wells – Tenteleni volunteer 2004 and 2006, South Africa, now Science Diplomat in the UK Science & Innovation Network in India

Via tenteleni.org

"One of the great things about Tenteleni is that, in a world where you need experience before someone will hire you, Tenteleni celebrated the fact that I was taking on roles for the first time on each occasion.

So, as I completed my PhD and I realised I wanted to leave research, I wasn’t just someone who knew lot about chemistry. I’d shown I could lead groups of people, build networks and relationships. In short, I was a much more rounded person, with a lot more to offer.

Now, in my current role in UK Science & Innovation Network in India, I’m combining my science background with my Tenteleni experience every day - building international networks of researchers and helping them to collaborate. And an extra element of my Tenteleni experience has been useful. Back in South Africa, I proved to myself and any potential employer that I could live and thrive in another culture. The world is getting smaller, and I think anybody who has that is going to have an advantage."

5. Holly Smith– Tenteleni Volunteer, Pienaar, now Fundraising and Communications Director at African Revival

Via tenteleni.org

I did not have a wealth of experience in PR, but I was forced out of my comfort zone as I undertook a branding exercise for the charity, produced recruitment materials, and wrote newsletter articles. I stayed on the committee throughout my studies, becoming the PR and Fundraising Manager - and then I realised I'd hit on what I wanted to pursue as a career. That’s the beauty of Tenteleni.

When I interviewed they were incredibly impressed with Tenteleni, and the fact it was a charity run entirely by young volunteers. I was able to draw on my experiences on the committee and I genuinely think this helped me get the job.

Now I'm using skills I honed during my time with Tenteleni - working with others, managing a tough workload, thinking innovatively and creatively to problem-solve, and a genuine commitment to the cause for which I'm fundraising.

6. Joe Blatch – Tenteleni Volunteer, Lekazi 2012, now Secondary School Teacher

Via tenteleni.org

"My Tenteleni experience was invaluable in interviews; both my first teaching role and especially for the PGCE course. I was repeatedly able to draw upon experiences with Tenteleni in my interview: working with children, overcoming education-based challenges, teamwork, communication… in fact I had to consciously ensure that I used a variety of different work experiences, as it was just too easy to keep coming back to Tenteleni. It didn’t just help me get to where I am now, but still supports me in my current role.

Young people have the most to gain from our input; constructive intervention, in whatever form that comes, can help young people to develop the hard and soft skills they will use the rest of their lives. Tenteleni facilitates an exchange of cultures and ideas, that can help inspire less-able students, but also push the most-able students to strive further."

7. Claire Harlow – Tenteleni Volunteer in Kanyamazane, 2003, now Chartered Financial Advisor

Via tenteleni.org

"It was clear that, even as a trustee, Tenteleni was as much about helping me develop my skills as about me volunteering to help Tenteleni.

Tenteleni focuses on supporting the development of the considerable skills and talents not only of those young people who volunteer to go on projects, but also on those volunteers we partner with abroad and those who volunteer in the UK.

While some have aspirations of working in the charitable sector, (indeed, many already do), others are keen to take the opportunity to develop soft skills for completely different careers, while benefiting a worthwhile, responsible charity. This means that the skills our volunteers bring to Tenteleni are very varied, as are the people!"

8. Jonny Tostevin – Tenteleni Volunteer Nkomazi East, 2011, now DFID Ebola crisis team

Via tenteleni.org

"Being a PC gave me the opportunity to take on a position of real leadership. Through the experience I learnt a huge amount about building teams and how different people like to work in different ways, and how to bring people with you. Inevitably in these sorts of roles, you get a lot of experience of problem solving.

Experience counts for a lot. It doesn’t necessarily have to be directly relevant to what you want to do but you need to be able to show that you have a broad range of skills. There is so much competition in the development world that having something that makes you stand out is important. I’m not sure there are many other organisations that can give you that experience of leadership overseas. The PC role is a fantastic opportunity and I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today without it."

9. Katie Stewart – Tenteleni Volunteer, Lekazi 2013 and 2014, now Training Coordinator with Raleigh International

Via tenteleni.org

"Normally I find interviews are the hardest and where I let myself fall short as nerves get the better of me. But you deal with so much on project and need to develop remarkable adaptability to situations that I reminded myself that if I can handle the ever changing events that projects introduce each day, I can handle this interview. And I did. I talked extensively about my experiences with Tenteleni, my adaptability, communication skills, managing teams of volunteers, training skills and openness to learn and push and develop myself – all of which I had built whilst on project with Tenteleni. A week later I was offered the role and would be moving to London when I returned from South Africa, excited and ready to embrace the next challenge.

Tenteleni provided me with an opportunity to develop the skills that made me stand out from the crowd, and that means I can now work for a charity that stands for the same passions and visions that I do: sustainable development and providing young people with the opportunity to develop themselves."

10. Maddie Thomas – Tenteleni Volunteer, Kisumu 2013 now University Volunteering & Engagement Coordinator

Via tenteleni.org

"Before I went out on project, I often lacked confidence but I learnt so much about myself while I was in Kenya, that I came back feeling ready to tackle new challenges with confidence. I was able to expand and develop my skills to include problem-solving, teamwork, communication and planning – these skills are important in any job.

Having a degree is unfortunately often not enough these days; employers are looking for graduates with a really developed skill set and experience of different situations. When I graduated, I had that standard worry that I was never going to get to where I wanted, no matter how many jobs I applied for. So landing my first job in the sector I wanted to work in was one of the most exciting moments of my life! I am certain that my experience with Tenteleni was invaluable in ensuring that I stood out on my application. It gave me an edge over the other candidates because I had so much first-hand experience of volunteering as a student. My volunteer experience with Tenteleni meant that I was able to develop my CV to include skills that I wouldn’t have had otherwise."

11. Katie Lissamore – Tenteleni Volunteer, South Africa 2010, now Sending Coordinator at ICYE

Via tenteleni.org

"Training and public speaking are key to my job and something I had very little experience of before joining Tenteleni. In my interview I drew heavily on how my Tenteleni experience developed these skills, for example, the training sessions I had to facilitate in South Africa for my volunteers and stakeholders, the numerous presentations I had to give to schools, churches and chiefs; all of which have given me the confidence and self-belief that I can stand up in front of many different people and inspire them to work together towards a common goal.

I owe so much to Tenteleni, both professionally and personally. Not surprisingly, it has opened up so many avenues and has enabled me to pursue my dream of working in the third sector but I have also met so many like-minded people, friends for life, who help keep me focused on achieving my goal of making a difference to our world!"

12. Lauren Harrison, Tenteleni Volunteer, Pienaar 2011, now Secondary School Teacher in Jakarta

Via tenteleni.org

"Tenteleni is like no other charity I had worked with previously. They actually took care and time to develop us as volunteers and prepare us for the roles we would be entering with full training and a support structure throughout the project.

Without my Tenteleni project experience I would never have had the confidence to move into teaching full time and I also think that I would be less attractive to international employers. It certainly helped me get my foot in door and I am sure it will continue to do so, but more importantly it began giving me the skills I needed to develop myself and build my career."

13. Micaela Linnane – Tenteleni Volunteer, Lekazi 2013 & Kisumu 2014, student soon to graduate

Via tenteleni.org

"Studying in my final year of university I have found that I am constantly faced with the same question: ‘Do you know what you want to do when you graduate?’ Naturally, my initial response was to completely freak out. However, as time has passed and I have progressed through my studies, the question is slowly starting to become less and less scary. Volunteering with Tenteleni has definitely played a significant part in this.

After I left South Africa I returned to university and applied for a part time job in the Students Union. In my interview they asked me when I had managed a team and use my initiative in a tricky situation. Normally this kind of question would completely stump me, however, I was now able to use my volunteering experience to give an answer based on my project additional role - I organised a Sports Day involving five schools in the local community, over 200 pupils and managed a team of 6 volunteer organisers. My application was successful and without this volunteering experience I would have struggled to come up with a comprehensive answer that helped me stand out from the crowd.

The question of ‘What will you do when you graduate?’ is still scary but I have gained a whole set of new skills and been opened up to a whole new career sector meaning I am becoming less and less fazed by the prospect."

Sarah Waymouth – co-founder, Tenteleni

Via tenteleni.org

And finally, a word from our co-founder on these incredible Tenteleni volunteer to career success stories, and how Tenteleni has helped shape her career and future.

Applications for our 2015 projects are OPEN - follow this link for role descriptions and application forms

http://tenteleni.org/volunteer-roles-africa