Listen to the last episode of Global Careers Calls, in which, Laura Brammar, deputy Head of the University of London Career Service, is interviewing Abdiweli Osman Mohamed about working in the Aid sector and in particular in the Education domain for a Humanitarian agency. Abdiweli, after a MSc in Public Policy and Management from SOAS, (2014 -2019), currently works as the UNICEF Education Specialist based in Somalia and as such, is responsible for the overall management and leadership of education programmes in the Puntland State of Somalia. During this interview, our alumnus will share with us the main trends in this sectors, how digital technology is shaping it and some top tips to get into this noble working area. 

Key points:

[01:26] - How will you describe yourself when you enrolled for your course: a career changer, a career developer or a career changer?

[01:55] - The academic journey of Abdiweli

[03:10] - Can you share with us some episodes when you had to share persistence and optimism in your work?

[05:35] - How do you manage unexpected changes in your workplace?

[08:33] - What are the areas in Humanitarian Aid with more growing opportunities? And which are the projects that generally receive more funding?

[11:59] - What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself looking to embark on this professional route? 

[15:19] - Do you have any tips for networking you would like to share?

[17:07] - Do you think that working with people with different academic specialism can be beneficial in your professional field?

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Listen to the 5th episode of Global Careers Calls in which we will explore the Tropical Medicine and Infectious diseases sector accompanied as usual by the deputy head of the University of London Career service, Laura Brammar. Chris currently works as senior consultant based at Sheffield Hospital NHS Trust besides being a senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Sheffield. His special interests include OPAT, viral hepatitis, tropical infection, and bone and joint infection.

He received his medical degree from University of Ilorin in Nigeria; successively he completed his PGDip and MSc in Infectious Diseases in 2011 and 2013 from the University of London and finally he also carried out a specialty training in infectious diseases and medical microbiology in Cardiff.

We hope you enjoy it!

Key points

[01:24] - What and when did you studied at the University of London?

[01:46] - How will you describe yourself when you enrolled for your course: a career starter, a career developer or a career changer?

[02:18] - How did you become a consultant physician for an NHS hospital?

[03:47] - In which countries and cities have you practiced your profession as a Trop Med doctor?

[04:30] - Chris previous work experience in Nigeria, his native country

[05:43] - How to deal with unexpected changes in the workplace?

[08:11] - Are there any organizations in this field that our students could join?

[13:15] - Placement and working opportunities offered by professional organizations

[14:37] - What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself looking to embark on this professional route? 

[16:16] - Does your professional field and NHS give space to multidisciplinary work?

Notes and links:

ESCMID - European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Its mission is to improve the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of infection-related diseases. This is achieved by promoting and supporting research, education, training, and good medical practice.

ESCMID offers many benefits to members and accepts new worldwide membership applications.

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Listen to Zara Qaiser, Youth Economic Empowerment Officer based in Pakistan. Zara will share with us her career journey which started with a BSc in Economics and her shift to the Development sector and in particular to the Sustainability branch of the latter dealing with issues such as eradication of poverty, inequality, energy crisis, gender disparity and social exclusion. We hope you enjoy it!

Key points:

[01:20] - How will you describe yourself: a career starter, a career developer or a career changer?

[01:41] - Summary of the career and academic journey of Zara: from when she took her A Levels in Islamabad, Pakistan, to the start of her professional trajectory in the Development sector

[03:38] - What motivates you in your career? Working in the Development sector do you find that your job represents your personal values?

[07:14] - Could you tell us about some examples in your professional life when you had to demonstrate eagerness to learn and curiosity? (Two of the most sought-after behavioural characteristics in new recruits)

[11:51] - Top tips for students looking for jobs in the Development sector

[15:55] - How to use LinkedIn to set off and consolidate insightful professional connection

[17:04] - Is being entrepreneurial or courageously innovative a useful quality in the Development sector?

[21:03] - Top tips for impressing recruiter in the Development sector and for upskilling yourself in view of getting the job you aim for

The importance of enhancing your digital literacy and which learning platform to browse for online courses

[24:54] - The importance of transdisciplinary collaboration in the International Development field (working with fellow colleagues from lots of different disciplinary backgrounds)

Useful links mentioned in the episode:

Devex International Development | Devex

Impact Pool - Jobs in United Nations, NGO, European Union

ReliefWeb - Informing humanitarians worldwide

Vacancies boards operating in Pakistan

BrightSpyre - Search jobs in Pakistan, Create Professional Profile Online, Learn Job Ready Skills

Jobs in Pakistan - ROZEE.PK

ONG vacancies page:

UNDP Careers | United Nations Development Programme (undp.org)

Unicef Vacancies | UNICEF Careers

Word Bank Work With Us (worldbank.org)

EDP - Spanish company specialised in developing renewable energies Jobs at EDP

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Listen to Ruwan Fonseka, an alumnus of the University of London BSc Computing and Information Systems Programme with several decades of experience in the Technology sector. Ruwan’s professional trajectory brought him to work as software developer, senior programmer analyst and currently as Tutor for the BSc Computer Science Degree Programme of the University of London. Listen to his professional story in this call led as usual by the Deputy Head of the UoL Careers Service, Laura Brammar. Enjoy the episode! 

Key points

[01:11] - How will you describe yourself: a career starter, a career developer or a career changer?

[04:29] – As a software developer, how do you deal with unexpected changes and the appearance of new technologies?

[10:15] - were there times when you had to be kind of entrepreneurial and enterprising even though you were working for a company?

[13:31] – Based on your experience, what students can do to impress employers and stand out from the crowd in the competitive field of Computer Science

[16:34] – The importance of joining professional organizations

[19:44] - Does Computer Science involve working with different types of specialists and from different academic backgrounds?

Y2K is the shorthand term for "the year 2000." Y2K was commonly used to refer to a widespread computer programming shortcut that was expected to cause extensive havoc as the year changed from 1999 to 2000.

C++ is a popular programming language. It is used to create computer programs and is one of the most used languages in game development.

C is a general-purpose computer programming language. It was created in the 1970s by Dennis Ritchie and remains very widely used and influential.

PMI Chapters are volunteer-run communities that allow you to connect to other project management professionals, develop your skills and give back to your local area.

COBOL is a compiled English-like computer programming language designed for business use. COBOL is primarily used in business, finance, and administrative systems for companies and governments. 

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Listen to Adi Walker, director of POD International Consulting. Adi will share with us his journey in the International and Humanitarian development sector.

An alumnus of a joint degree from SOAS university and the Imperial college, Adi will talk you through his career in Humanitarian development and will share with you his professional insights and some valuable tips and digital resources to enter this exciting sector. As usual, Laura Brammar will be your host for today’s episode. Enjoy the podcast!

Key points:

[01:16] - How will you describe yourself: a career starter, a career developer or a career changer?

[01:43] - The early stages of the career journey of Adi Walker

[03:48] - In which occasion you had to demonstrate courage in your professional life?

[05:10] - The importance of questioning the status quo and bureaucratic regulations

[06:54] - In which way students at the beginning of their career can find a job in International Development

[09:14]- Is there any part of the sector that is particularly famous for offering volunteering opportunities

[11:14] - The importance of getting involved in a wider range of projects

[12:41] - Are there any global trends, issues and changes that are impacting the International Development sector?

[15:69] – Are there opportunities within this sector also in Developed countries?

[18:13] - [Is there any source of information to keep abreast of the last tendencies in the sector?

[19:30] - And in terms of written publications, do you have any suggestions?

[20:42] - What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself looking to embark on this professional route? 

[23:10] – The importance of showing that you are eager to learn in the recruitment process and at work

[24:57] - Any tips for students that want to build the network in this field?

[29:44] - The importance once you have built your professional network, to keep in touch with those contacts

[30:45] - Does International development involve transdisciplinary work?

Links to resources and useful platforms mentioned by our alumnus, Adi Walker:

Download Free Books Online (Pdf & ePub Ebooks) (obooko.com)

ODI: Think change

International Development Services — DevelopmentAid

Sharing the best in global development research for policy and practice. | Eldis

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Listen to Branishka, a former nurse based in the Bahamas that thanks to her desire to constantly upskill herself, embarked in a course in Public Health at the University of London. Explore how thanks to this course and thanks to the invaluable guidance of her academic mentor she launched herself in a career as Director for the HIV clinic of the Health Ministry and then as Public Health Officer for Royal Caribbean Cruise.

Key points:

[01h16] - How will you describe yourself: a career starter, a career developer or a career changer?

[01h52] -The career journey of Branishka from being a registered nurse to studying for a master in Public Health

[03:29] - How did Branishka found a job as a Public Health Officer for the public sector

[05:47] - What do you do in your job as Public Health Officer?

[07:40] - Branishka career and job responsibilities as a Director of the HIV center for the Ministry of Health in the Bahamas

[09h37] - The fundamental role of Branishka mentor

[12h51] - The role of COVID in opening areas of the labour market in Global and Public Health sector

[16h25] - Advise for job seekers that want to get a job in this field

[19h35] - Is Global Health transdisciplinary in the sense that it involves working with people from different fields of expertise?

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