Project Trust London Internship Research Project Lucy Hughes

Project Trust London Internship Research Project Lucy Hughes, July 2014

RETURNED VOLUNTEERS AND THE PROJECT TRUST COMMUNITYPROJECT SPECIFICATION AND STARTING POINTS:

- What do PT returned volunteers go on to do next? - How does PT help RVs to get jobs?- How can you maximise the impact of your PT experience on CV’s and in job

applications?- How did RVs further develop the skills developed whilst abroad, to enhance their

career prospects?- Think about your experience as a volunteer and how you have been affected by

your experiences since returning home.

FOCUS: HELPING RVS IN THEIR CAREER PROSPECTS AND FUTURE CAREERS/FURTHER EDUCATION BY UTILISING FULLY THEIR EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

GAINED FROM THEIR PT YEAR OVERSEAS.

Alison Fraser, PT Head of Alumni & Engagement:

“I would like to see you focus on gathering concrete advice from ret vols on CV building and developing the hard and soft skills they developed whilst overseas.”

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AIM: To find ways to improve and build upon the support Project Trust already provides through debriefing and the alumni network. Especially for recently returned volunteers on their next steps after returning. Focusing mainly on CV building, careers advice and skills building.

METHOD: Creating a returned volunteer survey using www.quicksurveys.com and sending it out via social media (facebook, twitter and linkedin.) 75 respondents took part in this research. Then, using the information and feedback, create resources and identify which areas need to be improved so PT can move forward in this area.

OUTCOME: Report of survey results with analysis and resources in CV building, incorporation of PT into interviews and skills building advice.

Facebook: Linkedin:

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Twitter:

THE RETURNED VOLUNTEER SURVEY: 7 PAGES (5 QUESTION PAGES)

Page 1:Introduction

Page 2:Personal Information

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Using QuickSurvey’s tools I was able to create a variety of questions from multiple-choice, matrix multiple-choice, open-ended comment answers and even ranking questions for the skills section. It is a really good resource PT should either invest in or use as a free resource for all its surveys and just one website out there that can easily be accessed by social media.

Page 2 Continued:

Page 3:OccupationSection

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Page 3 Continued:

Page 4:University Section

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Page 5: Skills Section

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Page 5Continued:(Skills are as above in the choices for top three)

Page 6:Project Trust Help

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Page 7:End Page

SURVEY RESULTS AND ANALYSIS:BASED ON 75 RESPONDENTS TO THE SURVEYWORLD MAP VIEW OF LOCATION OF RESPONDENTS (PT’S RVS ARE SO GLOBAL!)

DEMOGRAPHIC BREAKDOWN:

Location:Most respondents were from the UK but also many in the US and a few in the Netherlands among others.

Gender:Mostly female respondents but in relation to how many returned male

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volunteers there are to female, actually a good representation of the male demographic to an extent.

Age of Respondents: Mostly recently returned volunteers in the last 5 years but also a good range of the earlier PT volunteers – something that could be developed further as they will have the most experience in the workplace so far and so have more comprehensive advice and feedback.

Year Overseas with PT:

Again linking with the age range above, mostly in the last 5 years but especially in the 2000s as well, the 90s/80s not so much but lots from returning last year (may be to do with the fact I am an RV from 12/13 so don’t have as much diverse coverage via fb)

Even though just a short survey and only open for a short time for this project, this also is a useful way of seeing the reach of PT’s social media as they were used to promote the survey!

This is Alison’s data on how many vols have gone away each year, could have many more respondents from the 90s who may now be in first few stages of employment…

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76/7781/82

85/8691/92

96/9798/99

00/0103/04

05/0607/08

09/1011/12

02468

10121416

Year Overseas of Respondents

% of respondents in that age group

Number of respondents in that age group


NAMES OF RESPONDENTS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE:

1. Adam Hainsworth2. Adrienne Dowling3. Alastair Macleod4. Alison MacLachlan

(nee McDonald)5. Amanda Innes6. Amy Louden7. Amy Sked8. Anna Barnouw9. Anna Burnley10. Annie Marston11. Belinda Blank12. Ben Biggs13. Billy Kwong14. Brian Harson15. Cate Robinson16. Catherine Oliver17. Charles Roberts18. Charlie Osborn19. Chloe Taylor20. Claire Hall (nee

Bagnall-Oakeley)21. Claire Jennings22. Claire McGarrell23. Clara Harris24. Craig Bathgate25. Dan26. Danielle Kavanagh27. David Ramsey28. Edward Cook29. Eilidh30. Eilidh Duncan

31. Eilidh Quinn

32. Ella Simpson33. Emily Rodger34. Emma35. Evonne Pasquill36. Fern Adams37. Geoff Waterston38. George

Swithinbank39. Graham Parker40. Hannah McMann41. Jack Wilson42. Jake Lloyd-Smith

43. Jeremy Astill-

Brown44. Jodie Fothergill45. Katie Lyall46. Kayleigh McMillan47. Laura Harper (nee

wicking)48. Libby Thomas49. Louise Lynch50. Louise Roche51. Louise Steel52. Lowri Jones53. Lucy dodwell54. Luke Williams

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Unfortunately some names are only first names, but the ones with full names are clearly up for more questions and contact on the areas discussed.

I really should’ve put e-mails as well! Hopefully they can be tracked down on the PT database for future use if you need.

676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990919293949596979899000102030405060708091011121314

050100150200250300350

Volunteers abroad/year

Years

No o

f Vol

unte

ers


55. Lusanda Donnelly56. Malcolm Gotts57. Margreet Hankins

(-Schuring)58. Marian Montanha59. Megan Sneddon60. Micheal Jones61. Peter Evans

62. Peter McCrory63. Rebecca White64. Rosie Macgill65. Ruth Fox66. Ruth Gilroy67. Sadie Rodea68. Sam Irving69. Simon Charters

70. Simon Cleary71. Stefan La Rooij72. Stephanie

Enderby73. Tasha Hookham74. Thomas Howie75. Unknown

FURTHER DETAILS OF WHICH TYPES OF VOLUNTEERS RESPONDED:

How long did the respondents volunteer for?

A good balance of mostly 12 month volunteers (70 respondents) which correlates with the higher numbers of volunteers who choose a 12 month placements overall.

[Maybe could use the five 8 month respondents in a different way as they may have views on how the shorter time affected their skills building.]

What kind of projects did respondents volunteer at?

Most respondents were involved in some sort of teaching and there was definitely an under-representation of the outward bound category and journalism in responses.

‘Other’ respondents

Again could use the information to look at which types of projects best develop certain skills/benefit people in different ways?

WHAT TYPE OF OCCUPATIONS DO THE RV RESPONDENTS HAVE? Alison already has an excellent resource to look at occupations of RVs in general. However, could possibly pick

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out a few careers and ask the respondent specific questions as to how they used PT to get that career?

1. Advertising2. Au pair in Spain3. Broadcast System Specialist

4. Cashier5. Charitable Investment Manager

6. Charity Fundraiser7. Charity worker8. Chartered Accountant (not practicing) and CEO of (small) software company

9. Chef10. Children and families social worker/ also own a new life coaching business

11. Civil Engineer12. Commercial Manger for an Office Products Company

13. Community & Events Fundraising Manager at the British Lung Foundation

14. Company Director - Acacia Development Associates Ltd

15. Customer assistant at Budgens and sandwich artist at Subway

16. Editor at wire service17. ELT Editor18. Engineering placement student

19. Estate Agent20. Student (BSc Hons Speech and Language Therapy)

21. Fund Manager22. General manager / Management Consultant

23. General Manager of Ford Dealership

24. English language assistant in France, in an engineering university

25. IT consultant26. Local government project manager.

27. Mechanical engineer x228. Medical student 29. Mortgage processor30. Nurse31. Nurse assistant32. Offshore Contracts Manager

33. Overseas Operations Manager for non profit

34. Parent support specialist35. Programme coordinator Senior Project Officer

36. Programme Coordinator (UN Office on Drugs and Crime)

37. Programmer, I develop the content of debates about for example politics, economics, CSR, law, etc.

38. Research Economist39. Secondary English Teacher

40. Secondary Science Teacher x2

41. Services at Asda42. Shop assistant43. Social Media Coordinator for Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament Press & Communication

44. Student x945. Student & sales assistant

46. Student (MA Education). Working for the summer at an outdoor holiday centre for children and adults with additional support needs.

47. Student and Bar Supervisor

48. Student and currently working as an intern for Centre for Global Programmes at University of York

49. Student and part time sales assistant at Lush

50. Student and waitress51. Student at School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) studying Development Studies Intern at HIV/AIDS organisation AVERT

52. Student nurse53. Student, spending the summer as an au pair

54. Student/ PT Summer Staff

55. Student/Barista56. Student/ Waitress57. Submariner Warfare Officer - Royal Navy

58. Title - Lead Product Manager, in Fresh food for a retailer

59. Tour Guide/Improviser60. Trainee Teacher61. Unemployed62. Waiter/Student63. Waitress/ full-time student

64. Work for Project Trust65. World Bank

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RESEARCH BY ALISON ON WHAT TYPES OF CAREERS RETURNED VOLUNTEERS HAVE GONE ON TO DO: 1077 CASES USED IN THIS DATA

Although I don’t have a similar qualitative way of measuring the types of occupations with my survey results, there are trends in Alison’s research of the most popular types of occupation for RVs:

1. Education2. Medicine3. Voluntary Sector4. Business

These do to an extent correlate with the answers given in the survey, with many respondents now teachers (5 respondents approx.) and holding positions in business, medicine or the charitable sector. However, many respondents in this survey are still students so don’t really fit into the occupation stats yet!

If I have time I would like to contact a few very specialist occupations listed such as Royal Navy, World Bank, Social-Media Co-ordinator etc. to see some specific cases of quite unique career paths and how PT could have helped to gain those.

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OCCUPATION ANALYSIS CONTINUED:

How useful was their PT experience in helping them gain their current occupation?A really high percentage found the experience very useful (33.33%), useful (30.67%) or at least slightly useful (13.33%). For those who selected N/A or Not Useful, it would be interesting to see if they could use their experience in the future with more training in how to use it.

Those who selected ‘Other’ had some good feedback comments:

Interestingly the responses have a theme of PT experience helping in other areas of life outside of their chosen career – I think a challenge will be to relate the PT experience to every type of job, not just those in charity work or with an international focus.

I believe the PT experience can relate and be used in every kind of interview and CV for any career creating more resources that are general and to an extent can be applied to most job sectors will help volunteers in this way.

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How often do respondents use their PT experience in their CV or in interviews?

This shows that CVs have a strong inclusion of PT but yet when in an interview setting it almost halves in being used ‘always’ – from 81.33% on CVs to 42.67% in interviews.

This means that we need to focus on interview techniques using the PT experience a little more, alongside building on the CV writing aspect which is pretty strong.

‘Other’ respondents also had other ways they have used their PT experience:

Interestingly Linkedin is mentioned, something PT can continually build on and advise more strongly on debriefing.

I think sending an e-mail to all recent RVs after debriefing with the Linkedin page and how to sign up would help make the most of that excellent resource Alison has created.

It seems as well that the most impact the PT experience has is at graduate level or at the beginning of careers rather than being used later on as by then other experience has been accumulated and can be used instead. PT is clearly a great way to differentiate an individual from a large crowd of degree-holders and something I think PT emphasises very well at the moment!

However should the experience become less valuable in the workplace as time passes? Or can it always be drawn on at any age? I think we should consider this and maybe challenge that perception! E.g. “the foundations of my leadership skills were built when I was 18 and overseas in Cambodia…”

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Key for how often they mentioned PT:


COMMENTS AND FEEDBACK FROM RESPONDENTS ON ANY OTHER WAYS PT HAS HELPED THEM IN THE WORLD OF WORK:Instead of copying all 75 I have chosen 30 of the responses to present in this report. However I will send them all over to you for your records, there are some amazing stories and feedback, if you’re ever having a bad day then read through these!

1. As a general confidence boost it is irreplaceable. Whatever weird and wonderful situation you are thrown in at work chances are you had a weirder one while volunteering for PT!

2. Breadth of awareness, perspective, sensitivity, ambition and a sense of responsibility to make the most of every opportunity that presents itself on behalf of the many intelligent, astute, aware and globally interested friends that I made in Uganda who, by circumstance of birth, will struggle to access the educational and professional opportunities presented so easily in the UK that I enjoy unquestioningly and of which they would undoubtedly make so much more.

3. Gain a more rounded perspective than others in the interview process. Prepared me very well for working with 27 other nationalities in the European Parliament :)

4. Helped give me something to talk about and experiences very few other people my age have.

5. I am back living and teaching in Peru (my PT placement country). It gave me an advantage in interview as I knew the country, spoke a little Spanish (rusty).

6. I have recruited lots of people and occasionally I came across a CV from a returned project volunteer, they always got through the paper screen and into a face to face interview on RV status alone.

7. I now work across housing and social care and having worked as a support worker abroad I then went on to work in the field in the UK which directly attributed to me getting my graduate scheme place and later jobs.

8. I shamelessly use it at every opportunity. I've also found it a useful way to build a relationship with Indian patients and staff in the hospital. (I worked in India)

9. I think it made me a more independent and resilient person

10. I used to work for Project T in the early 90s -- Alison will remember! Loved the work and the island. My time in Indonesia was central to my career(s), both in leading me to work on Coll and after that as a journalist in Asia and London. Just last month I was down in Indonesia reporting in Sulawesi -- using the same skills that I started to learn in 1986-1987.

11. I'm more comfortable working with people with whom there is a significant age difference and now I am au-pairing in France I'm less intimidated by the language barrier than I would have been otherwise. I can adapt more quickly to new situations after my year with PT which has been really helpful and the extra confidence I have after my year out is always helpful (especially with school talks/careers fairs).

12. In an interview I can discuss how being overseas helped to develop my skill set and it has also shown my responsibility and put me in a position of trust

13. It gave me focus and direction, so I have a bit more of an idea where I want my career to be going now. I consistently use overseas experiences and RV work in interviews, I definitely don't think I'd be where I am today if I hadn't gone to South Africa. Even my fundraising experience itself has come up multiple times in interviews so that has been really beneficial.

14. It helped me to understand how charities work and what their needs are.

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15. It helped shape who I am, how I approach things and my general attitude in life. I've done many things because of the experiences I had on my PT year and this has led me to where I am now.

16. It is entirely thanks to Project Trust that I work in the field of security and development. The opportunity to take a year out and to explore what I wanted to do with my life was invaluable.

17. It is quite an international environment and my international experience helps. More so when I applied for my internship at UNESCO in Paris than for my current job.

18. It was a long time ago but remains the seminal experience of my life; it gave me faith in my own abilities and life experience I could not have gained in other ways. It is impossible to quantify what it has meant to me.

19. It was an invaluable and wonderful experience; it shaped the way I am. Although it doesn't directly help me get employed the experience I had with Project Trust made me a much better candidate for all the jobs I have gone for. The experience isn't direct, it was an amazing and life changing year, my life is different because of Project Trust.

20. It's all about exposure and learning and cutting ones teeth early, understanding difference, appreciating other cultures through deep engagement - very valuable competencies.

21. It's always an interesting obvious talking point in interviews and you living abroad provokes questions. This leads on to any ability you may have in another language - regardless of it's on your cv or not - always comes up.

22. It's given me invaluable experience and social experience, definitely helped me securing jobs in interviews, being generally more confident and resourceful. Also helped me secure a place on my degree programme (Language and Cultural Studies)

23. More confidence in applying for jobs I would not normally consider.

24. Project Trust was mentioned a lot when applying for jobs in the first couple of years after being away, but now only comes up occasionally as I have more recent experiences that are more relevant to the type of part-time work (as still a student) I apply for. Project Trust certainly acted as a stepping stone into my chosen career path and into the part-time work I have undertaken.

25. PT experience really helped expand my experience in working with people. What I learnt during my placement has really helped both with getting into university and in finding work in my chosen field of working with people with additional support needs.

26. PT gives you endless anecdotes and examples for when asked to prove you have a certain quality/skill.

27. PT taught me to how to demand more from every situation and feel confident that no matter what happens in the world or work I'll probably be able to cope with it.

28. Teaching and presentation skills have been hugely important and a year with PT definitely improved them immeasurably. Working abroad this year was also infinitely easier after having been away with PT, getting stuck into a new culture as well as figuring out practical things like phones felt like a breeze the second time around.

29. The experience was the catalyst for how the rest of my life developed without a doubt.

30. The experience is something which has set me apart in a difficult job market; it makes your CV stand out among dozens of others.

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HOW DID THE PT EXPERIENCE IMPACT RESPONDENTS’ UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS?

Did PT help respondents to get into University?

A mixed response to this but still a majority who selected ‘Yes’ (34 respondents, 45.33%) showing PT has a real impact in university applications – one of their biggest strengths in recruitment is definitely the appeal this type of gap year will have to universities.

The ‘Other’ answers either referred to the question as inapplicable or weren’t sure if it had helped or not.

I did also ask a question on whether respondents deferred their entry but the data is unreliable as I didn’t have an N/A option so those who didn’t go to university would’ve

selected an answer (hope that makes sense, apologies for that!)

Did respondents mention PT on their personal statements?

A large majority of over 2/3rds of respondents did mention it on their personal statements.

The ‘Other’, ‘No’ and ‘N/A’ answers were all people who either didn’t go to university or didn’t think to add it to their personal statement. Two of the ‘Other’ respondents wrote that they did put it on their personal statement but only for their first degree. Also personal statements are not needed in Holland!

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Did respondents change their university course based on their PT experience?

Again with this question the N/A option was added later so most respondents who didn’t go to university at all will have also selected ‘No’ answers as well, again a fault on my part I’m afraid!

However, much more importantly the 27 who did change their courses have some interesting examples stated below! This data can be trusted with 36% of respondents selecting ‘Yes’.

This truly shows the potential impact PT has on the course of futures after a gap year.

Respondents who selected ‘Yes I changed my course because of PT’ specify how it changed their university course below:

I have bolded what they went on to do, mostly changing to languages or something with teaching/international focuses but overall a really interesting range of changes.

After being so independent for a year, I decided to choose a university further away from home.

Before PT I was planning on going into midwifery- my experience helped me realise I wanted to teach

children with additional support needs and behavioural issues.

Decided to study international development instead

From Biology to Hispanic Studies

From Law to Politics and International Relations - I realised I would find it more interesting and I

definitely did

I began studying Computer Science, after a year of studying I changed to do French & Spanish

I changed from a law degree to study Latin American Studies & International Relations. I spent a year

in Uganda sharing a compound with French speaking refugees from DRC and, following 6 years of

studying it at high school, used my French on a daily basis and realised that we learn a language to

understand and be understood, not for classroom translations. This inspired me to pick up a new

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language at University and combine it with something that genuinely interested me rather than

something my teachers recommended I study based upon High schools subjects and grades.

I changed from English to Development Studies

I changed to Modern Languages after learning Spanish on my project

I chose my Master’s degree largely based on PT experience and other overseas experience I gained

during my undergrad

I had an unconditional place at B'ham to study accountancy. I did not go as although it was not then

clear what I DID want to do, it was clear to me that I did NOT want to do accountancy.

I had initially planned to study German, but after being accepted by PT to go to China I changed my

course to Chinese.

I have now decided to study Primary Education

I initially accepted a course at Exeter and then changed to Liverpool as they had a Chilean politics

tutor there who had been exiled under Pinochet

I started one term at brum uni... I was meant to do French and geography, changed it to Spanish and

Geography. But I left because it didn't feel right, I spent the rest of the year working and applied to do

social work in Glasgow the following year.

I was going to do English Literature to become a journalist in development work, but after going out I

realised I needed to learn the theory and practice of development work.

I was going to do French and Spanish, then decided to do a vocation- nursing

I was not going to go to Uni before I went overseas

I was originally unsure of what to study but having previously enjoyed spanish and then being able to

speak in fluently in Chile I realised I had a passion for it

I was set to study General Engineering but i believe my PT experience helped me decide to be a Civil

Engineer

Initially I was going to be doing a psychology, film and media and marketing course at Stirling, and now

I'm going into my fourth year of a Sociology and Social Anthropology course - I guess due to my

interest in overseas cultures and societies, and understanding things different to what I'm used to.

It allowed me to work out what I was passionate about

Originally wanted to study Economics and Spanish - changed to focus on Spanish and Cultural Studies

Originally supposed to do Russian, changed this to International Relations after my year abroad.

Politics and Philosophy to Politics and International Relations

Same degree, but changed area of interest

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SKILLS GAINED BY RETURNED VOLUNTEERS

For this section I looked at the top 13 skills employers are looking for in recruitment across most occupations and also in certain higher education courses as well.

1. Leadership2. Planning/Organisation3. Teamwork4. Time Management5. Presentation Skills6. Stress Management

7. Inter-personal Sensitivity (Empathy)

8. Cultural Awareness9. Self-Confidence10. Written Skills

11. Financial Management (e.g. Budgeting)

12. Ability to work as individual contributor

13. Communications

Also an option to select ‘other’ where a skill has not been mentioned which applies to them.

What skills did the PT experience give respondents?

Firstly I asked to what extent the respondent had gained the skills listed whilst overseas on a scale of ‘Gained a lot’ to ‘Didn’t Gain at all’ with a few choices in between.

The colour code here shows which skills were gained the most, if they have the largest block of light blue then they were the most gained etc.

It is hard to judge this but some interesting results:

1. Leadership: Majority gained this skill a lot!

Gained a lot: 48%, 36 people

Gained a little: 45.33% 34 people

Not sure: 4%, 3 people

Didn’t Gain at all: 1.33%, 1 person

N/A: 1.33%, 1 person

2. Planning/Organisation: Majority again gained this skill a lot whilst overseas


Gained a little: 37.33%, 28 people

Not sure: 0%



3. Teamwork: not gained as much as the previous two but still mostly gained a little by most respondents

Gained a lot: 37.33%, 28 people

Gained a little: 52%, 39 people

Not sure: 5.33%, 4 people

Didn’t Gain at all: 4%, 3 people


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4. Time Management: even less gained this a lot but still a large proportion who gained this a little whilst away




Didn’t Gain at all: 6.67%, 5 people

N/A: 0%

5. Presentation Skills: Majority gained this skill a lot, a strong impact




Didn’t Gain at all: 4%, 3 people

N/A: 2.67%, 2 people

6. Stress Management: A pretty even split majority between gaining this skill a lot and a little



Not sure: 1.33%, 1 person


N/A: 4%, 3 people

7. Inter-personal Sensitivity (Empathy): A really positive reponse as no N/A answers or not gained at all, so all respondents gained this skill in some way




Didn’t Gain at all: 0%

N/A: 0%

8. Cultural Awareness: A really high proportion in particular for this skill gained it A LOT from their year!

Gained a lot: 92%, 69 people!!


Not sure: 0%



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9. Self-Confidence: The most gained skill overall with all respondents selecting either gained a lot or a little with no other options selected.



Not sure: 0%


N/A: 0%

10. Written Skills: A lot weaker in this skill, mostly an even split between not gained at all, gained a little and not sure.





N/A: 4%, 3 people

11. Financial Management: mostly gained a little but weaker with less respondents gaining this skill a lot in their year.






1 person somehow missed out this question!

12. Working as an individual contributor: A strong skill with most answers gained a lot





N/A: 0%

13. Communications: Again a very strongly gained skill from being overseas without any ‘N/A’, ‘Not sure’ answers



Not sure: 4%, 3 people


N/A: 0%

‘Other’ skills answers included: languages (very common other option and gained a lot on the scale), intuition, independence, creativity and adaptability.

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WHICH SKILLS HAVE HELPED VOLUNTEERS THE MOST SINCE RETURNING FROM OVERSEAS?

After looking at each skill in detail, the last part of the skills section asked them to rank their top 3 skills in terms of how much they had helped them in life after Project.

Instead of looking again at each individually I have picked out the highest ranking answers and created PT’s top skills gained as a result:

1. SELF-CONFIDENCE

This wins the most popular option for being placed first in the ranking with 27 respondents placing this skill at the top of their top three.

2. CULTURAL AWARENESS

In second place, cultural awareness was ranked the top skill which has helped in life after Project by 14 respondents to the survey.

3. LEADERSHIP

Another popular option for first place in the ranking, 10 respondents chose leadership as their most helpful skill gained from PT.

There is a more detailed breakdown of all the skills and their rankings on the website holding the data; also 2 respondents didn’t fill in this part of the survey!

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HOW CAN PT HELP VOLUNTEERS?

Moving on from the feedback about what impact PT has had so far, this last section focuses on how PT can improve its debriefing program to help maximise the PT experience in the future for RVs. It especially has some great individual ideas and feedback from RVs at the end of the section.

Did respondents attend de-briefing?

Quite a large proportion of respondents (14.67%, 11 people) have filled in this survey having not benefitted from the focussed sessions PT runs on debriefing.

The reasons given are often financial difficulties, clashing with timings/dates etc. which meant some RVs missed out.

To avoid this having such a potentially negative impact on an RV, online resources could be made with online sessions/tutorials on basic careers advice and duplicating sessions on debriefing for those who do miss it. Or some kind of e-mail could be set up for careers/education related queries specifically and given to all volunteers? This could be a direct way of communication for those RVs needing references or specific advice on careers.

If respondents did attend, how useful did they find debriefing?

I didn’t focus this question just on usefulness for careers/future plans advice but it still is a good way of telling how effective the course has been over a wide range of RV experiences with PT!

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Most found it useful in some way but still 24 people rated it ‘okay’, ‘not useful’ or ‘not useful at all.’ That can however be based on a very personal view of their year overall which impacts the course and its focus and structure also has changed dramatically over the past 5 years I am sure! With new and exciting areas such as global citizenship, the RV weekend and more, it doesn’t stop at debriefing anyway now, so this in no way represents PTs overall RV impact.

HOW CAN PROJECT TRUST HELP RVS MAKE THE MOST OF THEIR EXPERIENCE IN TERMS OF PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE? I asked for examples where possible and here is the incredible feedback which is good, bad, constructive and critical – a real insight into RV views on this research.

Some RVs feel it is not PTs role to do this or that they already do a good enough job, but also many who think PT can improve and do more to help:

Help link to skills at work (as above) / help evaluate impact on self and whether this should change decisions made pre PT yearA little more help after debriefing, leaving your year overseas is devastating, keeping in touch with other RVs through forums, get together and so on would helpA well-structured career mentoring programme.Although I did not benefit, I believe that the new NVQ is an excellent innovation. It will help people otherwise inexorably drawn toward university to legitimise their choice to defer or even not attend at all. I am not too sure how, but anything which helps to differentiate the PT experience from just dropping out on a Thai beach will be helpful. Do we need a new, better employed word for "gap year"?Be more open to getting a job straight away. I felt like they were pushing uni as the only option and it really isn't. I came straight to a job and am doing really well, no debts just saving.Buddying with returned vols in relevant work areas. CV and interview skills sessions on debriefing? Strengthen local networksCommunication with older RV's, to see common lines of work gone into, networking etc... Alison Fraser did a bit of this at the globcit weekend; top idea.Continue to grow the network of RVsCovering responsibility and how to balance this whilst still pursuing your long term goalsDepending on the field you volunteer in the experience contributes massively to chosen careers. In general, it makes for interesting life experiences at a really young age (especially I think if you're from a working class background and weren't able to experience PT style things like travelling before)Encourage further volunteering and in depth thinking about career paths and alternative career paths.Encourage RVs to think about the skills they've gained, and what they could do with these. I know that I gained loads from my year out but sometimes it's hard to remember exactly what activities I participated in, and what skills I developed as a result.Encourage them to learn the local language, if applicable, and keep it up after returning. Encourage them to join and form societies at University or locally after returning. Encourage them to network with other RVs and people they meet abroad. Encourage financial planning and

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independence as much as possible while abroad. Encourage them to do extra work (if possible) while abroad to add to their CVs and experiences. Help them to phrase their learnt skills for their CV and interviews. Encourage them to continue to volunteer after they return, to add to their CV.Encourage us to take part in school talks and other volunteering projects within society to ensure that our work doesn't end as soon as we return home, ensuring our experience is always up to date and relevant for future employment etc. The PT meet ups are a good way of meeting other people doing the same thing and it would maybe be helpful to have these more often.Examples of what previous volunteers have been inspired to do following their yearGive a mandatory presentation at your own school. Enhance the link between RVs from different years, maybe someone from 40 years ago can use a RV as intern or something.Give practical real life work situations - then compare them to the situations you had as an 18 year old abroadHave even more focus on the CV section on debriefingHelp CV writing perhapsHelp writing CV's Keep RV's updated with any job vacancies in organisations that might interest them, and within PT Writing references for RV'sHonestly, I think debriefing is too soon after returning from the UK to seriously talk about planning for the future; I certainly hadn't settled back into living in the UK by that point and it was a good few months before I could really organise my thoughts about my time abroad enough to think about how I could seriously make good use of those experiences in the future. Perhaps it would be helpful to have RV reunions that specifically focus on future plans for more recently returned RVs.humm, in no particular order - Formal opportunities in the UK with foreign organisations/companies or UK organisations who look to employ internationally 'experienced' grads. A low key networking/meet and greet for RVs and potential employers every year in London say... It's not PTs core role, but the 'family' aspect of PT is something that isn't really talked about much before you volunteer, but since returning I have come to appreciate it a lot. I have bumped into a lot of RVs through work etc and the connection made is always valuable. I think it's because PT attracts a certain type of person - always interesting and always useful to know. Capitalise on this PT! You should aim for an 80% 'in contact' rate after 5 years or something - set yourself a metric - what are the stats? Do you even measure it? I think Alison Fraser's job as head of RV engagement is critical to the success of PT as it marches into the future.I didn't go to debriefing as I decided to stay on at my project for another 6 months. To do this I had to 'leave' Project Trust. However, I found it slightly disappointing that I never heard from PT after I 'left'. In this way I, personally, wasn't helped at all to make the most of my experience. While I understand that it was my decision to stay and I have no regrets I feel like perhaps some follow-up contact from them would have been helpful and, more importantly, really nice. I was kind of left with the feeling that PT didn't really care once they were no longer responsible for me- I suppose that makes sense but it was a bit anti-climatic after all the fundraising and training as well as the regular contact while I was overseas for the first year.I have been out of touch for a long time. A few ideas might be help with CVs, interview skills, introduction to fields past volunteers work in - organise a careers conference etc. Happy to help with this. You have a wealth of professional returned vols to call on!I have wonderful memories of my Debriefing week. It was such a worthwhile part of the year

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abroad and did feel that those volunteers who decided not to go, had missed out hugely. I knew that I was going to go to University, so I had the following four years planned out. However, on completing my year, I had doubts as to the course I had chosen. I think the inclusion of some form of career advice from ret vols would have been useful. Maybe they could have given examples of what they had done/hadn't done, or how they had used their skills in their careers.I think a lot of volunteers underestimate the skills they have gained over their year, because life overseas becomes normal and people don't want to make a big deal about what they did abroad. I think PT could do a short session or give out something about how to specifically tailor their experiences for CVs and cover letters when applying for jobs etc. As well as this skills-focussed way of looking at things, it might also be useful to look at what the volunteers specifically enjoyed and try to quantify that a bit to look at if it points towards a career or even just a new interest they could pursue back at home or uni or work. It is a bit too easy to draw a line under the year as something you could never recreate, which is true, but there are lots of ways to continue the passions and skills discovered. Basically, just having a few suggestions of how to transfer the experience into the future in a basic, explicit way. :)I think an excellent job is done already!I think debriefing is good but for me it was not necessary for planning for my future. I had reverse culture shock when I got back and for my debriefing was where I felt most comfortable because I was with people who had done the same thing. PT gave me ideas for the future but I don't know how they can help that much, it's the volunteer that has to make their plan.I think it's a given that this will happen...their minds will be opened anyway and as a natural consequence they will use what they have learned.I think PT cover pretty much everything at debriefing, and once they have given RVs all the info it is up to them to use it.I think that there should be some guidance as to where to go to continue doing voluntary work, e.g. is the other charities that do similar things for people of a different age, government schemesI think they give sufficient support.I think you are already doing a great job at thatI'm not sure there's an easy answer to this. Everyone and everyone's experience is different.I'm not sure. When I applied to do a year overseas with PT, I wasn't actually expecting any help planning my future afterwards. I'm not sure it's needed!Information about what areas other RVs have done since. More information about similar opportunities (for example more emails sent out like the one near Christmas with opportunities for RVs)Invite non-staff, non-student RVs to support day 2 of debriefing when you are encouraging recent RVs to consider the real world and their prospects - it's difficult to do when you are so encased within a PT context, with PT staff. Alternatively collate some vox pop testimonials from RVs of different generations with soundbites of advice/ reflection/ relevant experiences that will support the recently RVs transition process. If these are available as video clips it is something that can be returned to at a later date when their relevance may suddenly become clear.Making them aware of opportunities, jobs and careers they might be interested in or suited to, maybe through the separate RV volunteer Facebook page that was talked about at RV weekend? Connecting recent RVs with older RVs with relevant experience, probably through LinkedIn. Could also maybe ask RVs or help with PT tasks pertinent to their uni courses so they can gain

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experience - e.g. ask those interested in English/journalism to write for the blog on suggested topics, ask any interested in PR/events to help with RV meet ups etc.Maybe encourage them to reflect/discuss more about things they have learnt and find a way of storing this information by writing it down etc. as sometimes it is difficult to be aware of exactly what you have learnt/how you've grown and therefore how you can go forward and use these to your advantage.Maybe have more returned volunteer reunions and even events on Coll again for people who went in certain years etc.Maybe on debriefing give examples of what people are doing now and how project trust helped to get them where they areMore about return culture shock.More discussion on examples of ways to get involved back home with projects which are similar to your PT project (e.g. soup kitchens for me as I worked with street children overseas).More examples of volunteering within the UK and more opportunities like that. Also a better system to get RVs to get together in cities around the UK , there must be loads of RVs in cities and even at the same uni but it’s difficult to find each other.More individual sessions at debriefing would have been niceNot sure I am afraid. PT cannot do it for them.Not sure its PTs responsibility.Perhaps providing a bit more information of possible career paths past volunteers have gone down Also providing a bit more information on international development sectors/employment may be useful as some volunteers will have been exposed to a lot of aspects of this work on project and may not know much about organisations in the UK etc. Also pigeonholing the skills that we have learned on project so that we can utilise them better in interview situations.Perhaps run employment seminars on how to make the most of the experience (on CV's, during interviews and in the world of work). PT could also provide a scheme/certificate which identifies formally the skills/attributes demonstrated or notable achievements during the volunteers time. This could be in the form of a report, for example, which could be presented to potential employers/universities as part of a portfolioPersonal experiences of RVs, advice on revisiting your project?Reflection during their year overseas I think is really important, but I think this is something that is in place. On returning, a sit down and focusing on different transferable skills that were developed overseas, examples of how these were gained and how these can apply to an RV's future career.Returned volunteer group (closed) on facebook to keep people up to date with potential and relevant jobs opportunities, seminars, conferences.Strengthening the network of RV'sTell RV's how to use their experience for a job interviewThe experience was so intense in Cuba and it was the pioneer project in that country so when we came back I found it very difficult to readjust into life in England. Time and space helped but I made some poor decisions afterwards that I still question to this day. Perhaps more contact with other RVs who have reintegrated into British society would have been helpful.There was no follow up after debriefing. Sharing problems and successes through university and on entering the job market with both other RV's and Coll would have been useful.

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They've done great. I think a lot of people use university as more of a guide than PT and I'd say most of my friends that did PT went straight onto uni who have more time to give more support in terms of future plans.Tips on CV writing and how to put experiences down on paper. How to intergrate skills learned abroad into daily life at home and not forget them/ take things for grantedUse past vol examplesWas really useful when applying to study abroad, try and retain contacts in the country and keep/improve your language skills•Give links to other charities that RVs could work with in the future. •Set up more RV meet ups/ have more events. •Stay in contact with RVs for longer! They say that after 3 years RV may drop off the radar, but I think they could do more to keep in touch.

SUMMARY: THANK YOU FOR READING THIS MAMMOTH REPORT OF THE SURVEY RESULTS!

I have tried to analyse as I have gone along but I will just put a quick summary of what this research project has taught me and how PT can use it:

- Lots of RVs are happy to collaborate with Alison and help out, it is such a large task to connect the thousands out there and keep in contact with everyone – I think delegating regionally would be the next step as you have with recruitment. Those RVs could be used to research local volunteering, keep networking RVs and source resources to use at debriefing with Alison.

- In terms of careers advice, CV building and using the skills gained as a unique point in interviews this can be further built upon in debriefing. Especially the interview side of things and identifying key skills gained. Attached I have put an example dialogue of how I could use my own skills and experience in an interview.

- Read through the feedback given by the RVs in the survey in the last section in detail, some really creative and innovative ideas – plus you have all of their names to add to your database hopefully! I’m afraid I couldn’t track the names to the detailed answers at the end which was annoying but I will keep trying to do so and let you know! (Especially as one person volunteered their expertise to help Alison.)

- Further research needs to be done into the areas covered more in-depth as I have brushed broadly over many topics rather than on one area (such as university applications, specific job advice etc.) However the survey has been a good exercise in identifying these key areas.

- All the information for the survey is available online at quicksurveys.com and I can hand over my login and password to PT to keep this data as a resource to be looked at again in the future or built upon.

Project Trust is an experience which doesn’t end at debriefing for most people, clearly many RVs yearn to get back in touch or keep using their experience afterwards. It is a really innovative and upcoming part of PTs future and it has been great to be a part of researching it.

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Documents

Project Trust London Internship Research Project Lucy Hughes