Starting a career in relief work

When Stephanie Roberson attended RedR’s So You Think You Want To Be A Relief Worker? Workshop one Saturday afternoon last September in London, she never could have imagined that as a result of her training she would end up hopping on a plane to begin a Masters programme in Lyon, France a mere five days later. Using the knowledge she gained from the training, Stephanie was able to better understand how the humanitarian sector worked and what she needed to do to begin a career in the field.

Stephanie originally signed up for the course hoping that she would gain more insight into how to break into the sector. During the training course Stephanie learnt that she needed to obtain more qualifications before she could become a relief worker. “I went to the workshop, So You Think You Want To Be A Relief Worker? and it seemed by the end of it that there were certain things I needed to do in terms of training. I really wanted to enter the sector, but knew I didn't have the experience or training.”

The next day, she began researching programmes in humanitarian aid that would help her obtain those skills. From the training course Stephanie knew what elements to look for in a degree programme. “A few of the things highlighted in the training included speaking two languages, so I decided I'd like to learn French, to enable me to work in parts of Africa more easily. Also the need to have a Masters course in a relevant subject, or else to do some professional training in logistics etc. would be useful ways to enter the sector”.

Stephanie found the perfect programme for her at the University of Liverpool and rang them first thing Monday morning to find out about late admissions to their MSc. in Humanitarian Programme Management which offered the first three months in France studying with Bioforce. The programme would allow her to practice her French while getting the training she needed.

The University told her to pack her bags and come to Lyon. “Although the course had already started they said it was fine to come and catch up. After a manic two days of preparation, I was on a plane on Thursday morning heading to Lyon. So, less than a week after the RedR training, there I was in France starting a Masters course at Bioforce!” Fast-track one year later and Stephanie is well on her way to completing her degree and loving every moment.

Even while at University, RedR training is proving to be useful. During her recent Technical Support module in Water-Sanitation and Logistics she was told by her lecturers that: “the RedR book Engineering in Emergencies is the single best book to have on practical/technical aspects of relief work. If you only have room in your bag for one book, then you should take that one.” With RedR’s support Stephanie is gaining all the necessary skills to become a qualified relief worker, and will have the competitive edge needed to enter the sector. “RedR training had a huge effect on my decisions. I wouldn’t have known about any of these options if I hadn’t attended your course,” she says.

Stephanie is now beginning her job search, after having just returned from a six week placement in South Sudan, where she carried out dissertation research and put her newfound practical knowledge to use. “I got to practice some of the tools I learnt on the course, particularly using Participatory Rapid Appraisal techniques and conducted a needs assessment with an NGO - it was a really great experience. It's really been an amazing year, and it's all thanks to RedR.”

More Personal Stories