Where are you are working and in what role?
I’m working for the WI (Women’s institute) in their national head office in Wales as a membership development officer. The WI is looking for innovative solutions to expand their membership base and I’m working on this initiative with them.
How are you feeling about your role so far?
I’m feeling good about it. Everyone has been so welcoming, and they have really spent time with me to ensure I got a good overall view of the organization, the culture, and the “why” behind the work they do.
What aspects of the work do you enjoy the most?
Learning from those around me has been great and it’s clear there’s some brilliant people working in the organisation who really care about what they do. I love a challenge and I think this moment in time is a real turning point for the WI as it takes on the challenges to adapt to modern needs and welcome a new demographic of women. It feels like the work I’m doing could have a positive impact on the future of this cherished historic organization.
What is your commercial experience and how are you transferring these skills to your role now?
I have a very varied background. I was in project based work within the Finance sector for 15 years – systems implementations, client service delivery, process improvements. Skills wise I am a qualified accountant and have project management, business analysis, stakeholder management, problem solving skills. I have also recently done a masters in behavioural science and have angel invested and done a stint in a start-up accelerator.
I’m still working out how the skills transfer, and I guess a lot of my skillset I take for granted but I’m starting to see the adjustments I need to make in how I apply these skills now within the Charity context. It’s required a shift in my workstyle to align with a more collaborative and diverse organisational culture compared to the individualistic, intense, and fast-paced environment of large investment banks.
Why did you apply to The Well Placed?
Previously, I found purpose in successfully delivering financial outcomes – increasing profits for banks or cutting costs in hedge funds. Now, I am passionate about using my skills to achieve outcomes that positively impact society.
However, when reading job descriptions in the charity sector I was often deterred from applying, I wasn’t certain where my skills best fit and how to translate them into something valuable for the sector. I also often find myself overqualified or underqualified with nothing available in-between.
I saw The Well Placed as a valuable learning experience and a stepping stone to a career in the charity sector. I’m hoping it’ll give me the experience needed to apply for subsequent roles and be taken seriously, as well as allow me to make meaningful contacts.
What advice would you give to anyone wanting to switch to the charity sector?
Look at options to get involved in any way you can to see how it feels and to get some experience. See the process as a set of stepping stones, I first did some unpaid work for a department within Save The Children and am now doing my first paid work in the charity sector at the WI and learning what I’m good at and what I’m not, and how I want to shape my career going forward but it takes time and patience. Oh and apply to The Well Placed of course!!