Holly L.
About me
| Holly L. | |
| History | |
| History and Politics | |
| Undergraduate | |
| Vanbrugh | |
| 2013 | |
| United Kingdom |
My employment
| Fundraising and Partnerships Manager | |
| Reach for Change | |
| Sweden | |
| Charity and voluntary sector |
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A day in the life of a Fundraising and Partnerships Manager in Sweden
The most life-changing thing I ever did was spontaneously sign up to volunteer at Nightline while I was in my first year at York.
Briefly describe the organisation you work for
Reach for Change is an international non-profit organisation which specialises in supporting local social entrepreneurs around the world to develop and scale innovative solutions to challenges facing children and youth
What do you do?
I coordinate and write funding proposals to a range of institutional donors (e.g. EU), foundations and corporate donors
Reflecting upon your past employment and education, what led you to your current career choice?
It was during my time at York - more specifically, volunteering for the student Nightline service - that I realised I wanted to end up working for some non-profit organisation with a social cause. After uni I therefore pursued internships within the NGO world and also studied for a Masters in Peace and Conflict Studies. After a few years working for an NGO in London, I moved abroad to get some international experience, including in Moldova and Albania.
Is your current job sector different from what you thought you would enter when you graduated?
After my experience at Nightline, I had a vague plan that I wanted to continue working with charities and NGOs. It was only a bit later on that I figured I wanted it to have a more international outlook - hence I ended up working in the humanitarian/development sector.
Describe your most memorable day at work
Any day we win a proposal - especially if it was a hard-fought one.
What’s your work environment and culture like?
Working for a Swedish organisation is arguably a lot more informal than some of my previous jobs. There's a lot of trust and delegation going on, which I particularly find motivating at this stage in my career.
What extracurricular activities did you undertake at university and what transferable skills did you develop through these?
The most life-changing thing I ever did was spontaneously sign up to volunteer at Nightline while I was in my first year at York. I had never done anything like it before, but I learnt so much about myself and gained a vast amount of confidence in skills I didn't even know I had. I ended up with a key coordinator role within the service, which helped teach me a lot about managing different personalities, staying organised, and ultimately the importance of having a passion for what you do day-to-day.
What top tips do you have for York students preparing for today’s job market and life after graduation?
Volunteer, gain experience wherever you can. Figure out what excites you - that's the best way to ensure you remain motivated to wake up and go to work every single day of your career.
What topics from students are you happy to answer questions on?
Making personal/professional decisions, experiences within the non-profit and international sectors.
Next steps...
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