My volunteering journey: Graduate to Project Coordinator

“I have enjoyed connecting with the team and working with people from diverse backgrounds”

By Harkiran Bharij Project Coordinator at We Make Change

Harkiran Bharij shares her experiences of volunteering after university, joining We Make Change as a Researcher and most recently being appointed as Project Coordinator. Harkiran has helped connect Social Enterprises with ChangeMakers across the world and has contributed her hard work to many causes. We take a deep dive into her day in the life of a volunteer Project Coordinator

HOW IT STARTED

In today's world, experience is just as or even more important than qualifications. When applying for jobs, especially at the beginning of your career, employers tend to look at the amount of work experience you have despite your degree or other qualifications for the job.

After finishing university last year, I found myself in the position that all other recent graduates find themselves in: looking for work experience that I could add to my CV. I already had a part-time job and had volunteered in various charity shops in the past, but nothing indicative of what I really wanted to go into as a career.

This all changed when I joined We Make Change earlier this year. I was volunteering at We Encourage, Jess Lohman and EcoWillow Ghana, all three of which are part of the We Make Change network. Volunteering for these Social Enterprises was beneficial in enabling me to work on different projects simultaneously. All of which captured my diverse interests: gender equality, the environment, and writing.

Having volunteered at these Social Enterprises, I wanted to expand my knowledge further. Therefore, I got in touch with Jens, We Make Changes’ Chief Operating Officer (COO). After a few chats over Zoom, I was offered the opportunity to become a Researcher, with my interests lying in female entrepreneurship in East Africa and Asia, where I have since written a report about! My role also allowed me to map Social Enterprises around the world which work towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and create change. As a Researcher, I mapped and contacted Social Enterprises that are aligned with all the different SDGs. I learned that there are so many Social Enterprises out there tackling different Sustainable Development Goals such as reducing poverty (SDG 1) and food waste (SDG 2), empowering women (SDG 5) and children (SDG 10), and/ or even lessening negative environmental impacts (SDG 13)!

WHAT I’M DOING NOW

Most recently, I was appointed as Project Coordinator, joining the Members Team, which is led by Rebecca, Head of Projects. At first, I was out of my comfort zone, but I have become more confident in the role. I organise various member and project applications every day. It is an honour to monitor these applications and gain exposure to so many impactful projects creating change around the world. The projects are endless, both in scope and diversity!

Alongside coordinating projects, I am also a contributor to the We Make Change Blog, working with Soni, the Marketing Manager to educate, inspire and showcase the importance of making change. I have written about important United Nations days such as World Refugee and World Oceans Day. Additionally, I have also written about Change Days that enable ChangeMakers to make an impact in one day! Working on the blog has enabled me to pursue my passion for writing, and reconnect with this medium less academically, and expand my writing skills further.

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

Joining We Make Change has been a blessing in disguise. Before I joined, I didn’t know much about the Sustainable Developments Goals or what it meant to be a volunteer for a Social Enterprise. However, the more that I have been exposed to this environment, the more I have learned. I have gained some valuable experience, acquired various skills, and formed key relationships with individuals from all around the world.

Before joining, I was looking to make my CV ‘sing out loud.’ However, I’ve learned that volunteering is much more than something to put on my CV. One of the main things I have enjoyed is connecting with the team and working with people from diverse backgrounds - this has to be the best thing to have happened to me this year (after getting an offer to study for my Master’s at my dream university!). I’ve gained experience in a possible career path and have tried something new before I go back into education.

GET INVOLVED

If you would like to use your skills to volunteer, you can join a project here.
If you are running or starting up a Social Enterprise or Non-governmental organization dedicated to making a change, you can find the skilled volunteers you need to grow your impact for free here.
Contact us to find out how your employees can make a difference and create a lasting change in your organisation here.