After graduation from university this year many young people are struggling to find a job. Two graduates of 2009, who are now in employment, believe that being a Lattitude Global Volunteer can help to get ahead in today’s competitive job market.
Not-for-profit organisation Lattitude Global Volunteering provides overseas volunteering opportunities for 17-25 year-olds, assisting with their educational development.
Hannah Riches, 22, volunteered with Lattitude at a primary school in the Jiangsu Province of China, teaching English. Following her graduation from the London School of Economics, Hannah is working for Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) as an Assistant Economist on the GES (Government Economics Service) graduate scheme. She feels the experience from her Lattitude placement has assisted her throughout the application process and at work.
“My job involves communicating a lot of complex subjects, and I think teaching children who speak English as a second language has developed my ability to explain things clearly and sensitively”
Rachel Hearn, 22, graduated from Liverpool University with a degree in Architecture. She volunteered with Lattitude at an Anglican school in Australia, which had an outdoor education programme, before going to university.
Although her placement may not have seemed relevant to her career at the time, Rachel can see the benefits and experience she has gained to help her get to where she is now, working in an Architect’s office.
“I was offered my job partly based on a presentation I gave at university. Volunteering with young people in a position of authority helped build my confidence and communications skills”.
Many graduates who have struggled to find a job are taking the opportunity to volunteer abroad to gain valuable experience, in the hope that it will significantly enhance their CV. “A volunteering gap year provides the kind of life experience that students just can’t get at university” explains Paul Rompani, from Lattitude. “We provide meaningful and structured volunteering placements, which allow young people to develop their skills and broaden their education.”
For over 35 years, Lattitude has provided placements in teaching, caring, environmental, outdoor activity, medical and community development in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas and Oceania.
“Our placements have a positive impact on our volunteers and our volunteers have a positive impact on the communities they work in” Paul continues. “Whatever career path our volunteers choose to follow, they will certainly have gained relevant skills from their Lattitude placements.”
For further information visit www.lattitude.org.uk/
-Ends-
Words: 441
Notes to editors:
1.
For further information, pictures and interviews, please contact Jude Mitcham on 01903 207408 or jude@molokini.co.uk We are able to offer spokespeople from the charity, as well as returned volunteers and parents. We also have a large selection of photographs and written case-studies submitted by young volunteers on placements around the world.
2.
Lattitude Global Volunteering (Lattitude) is a charity specialising in volunteering for 17 – 25 year olds. We have a global vision and aim to provide unique experiences of voluntary work placements for young people from around the world.
Lattitude is an organisation with attitude. We are passionately concerned about the world; we are passionately concerned about the issues facing us all, our families and our communities;
3.
Lattitude has a global network of placements that spans 17 countries for British volunteers and includes projects in conservation, caring, community, camps and outdoor, medical, sports coaching, teaching, and language assisting. Current destinations include Canada, Argentina, Ecuador, Mexico, Brazil, Ghana, Malawi, Tanzania, South Africa, Australia, China, Fiji, Japan, New Zealand, Vietnam, Vanuatu and India.
4.
Lattitude is a member of the Foreign Office “Know Before You Go” campaign and a founding member of the Year Out Group.
