Rose Donovan’s path to a career in international development began with a simple desire – to make a difference. As a young woman with a deep passion for social justice and global issues, she was determined to find a way to contribute meaningfully to the world. After living and studying abroad, Rose gained a broader understanding of the global challenges that she wished to address and knew that international development was the path that she wanted to pursue.
Driven by this passion, Rose applied for an assignment through VSA’s UniVol programme, hoping to gain hands-on experience in the sector. She applied to volunteer as a Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Assistant in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, eager to develop practical skills in a field that is both competitive but impactful. “I just knew I wanted to work in international development, and trying to get into the sector is so competitive.... so the VSA UniVol [programme] was the perfect opportunity for that.” This opportunity not only allowed her to immerse herself in a new culture, but also provided invaluable on-the-ground experience that would shape the path towards her future career.
Rose (right) with team members on the way to a Disaster Risk Reduction project.
During the first three months into her assignment, Rose encountered some logistical challenges, however, she overcame these obstacles by maintaining a positive mindset, and staying focused on the broader community and cultural experience. “You’ve just got to keep a positive mindset, turn up every day, take the small wins.” She emphasized the importance of not only focusing on the assignment itself but also connecting with the local community and neighbours. One project that stood out to her was teaching community members how to sew sanitary pads, which had a lasting impact by shifting the mindsets of the locals and encouraging a new set of practical skills that would benefit women and girls in the community for years to come. “Outside of my partner organisation, I think I got to have a really amazing impact on the community that I was living in, with my village.”
Rose (second from left) with teachers from remote schools who attended the sanitary pad sewing workshop.
Rose’s volunteer experience in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville played a crucial role in laying out the pathway to her current job, allowing her to develop a range of valuable skills that are directly applicable to her work today. By engaging with Pacific partners and colleagues, she has gained a deeper understanding of geographical isolation and the patience required to navigate these challenges. In addition to her cultural knowledge, Rose developed important hard skills such as monitoring and evaluation, Wash, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), and disaster risk reduction, all of which have proven vital in her role. Equally important were the soft skills she honed, including engaging with diverse groups and people and adapting to local contexts – qualities which are highly valued in the NGO sector. “I definitely have a better understanding of the challenges that they’re [Pacific partners] facing, the issues in the communities, and also, the geographical isolation that a lot of our Pacific partners are facing.” These experiences, combining technical expertise with interpersonal skills, have been instrumental in helping Rose secure her job and succeed in the field.
Volunteering abroad through programmes such as UniVol can be a transformative experience, and Rose believes it has a lasting impact on a young person’s career, no matter what field they eventually pursue. Her advice for future volunteers is to engage deeply with local communities: “It’s important to embrace and appreciate the local culture and the interactions that come with it, as this helps to encourage genuine connections.”
Rose (left) teaching her neighbour how to sew a bag.
Rose encourages young volunteers to step outside of their comfort zones, as doing so will not only contribute positively to the community they are serving but will bring personal growth and self-discovery. “You’re going to give a lot more than you think.” Ultimately, she believes that volunteering will shape volunteers in ways they may not expect, offering invaluable skills, insights, and experiences that will benefit them far beyond their time abroad.