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Dita Karklina

dita

Trading and Performance Analyst at Vodafone

“I feel very grateful for all the skills that Warwick Volunteers have given me and that has not only helped me to get a graduate job, but also helps me every day in my working life.”


 

My story with Warwick Volunteers started at the end of my first year of university when I saw an opportunity to apply for project leader role for Bake It Up! I love baking and had previously volunteered in high school and loved the idea of helping local communities so didn’t have to think long before I applied. And I’m so glad I did!!!

Since then Warwick Volunteers was highlight of my time in university, I led Bake It Up primary school project and managed several one-off baking sessions, and in my final year I was elected to be on executive committee as a general event officer as well as volunteered in Fun With Numbers and Kidz Kamp projects.

I’m very grateful not only for all the great friends I’ve met through Warwick Volunteers (even after graduating I catch up with my fellow volunteers!) but also for all the skills and experiences I’ve gained that have helped me immensely in my career after university.

When it comes to the time to apply for internships and graduate jobs many students struggle to find the answers for standard interview questions – Warwick Volunteers definitely gave me experience and skills I needed to answer all these questions and stand out from other applicants. A few examples for interviews I did:

  • Tell me a time when you’ve led a team? Project Leader Roles are an amazing opportunity to gain leadership and project management skills. Not many candidates will be able to tell they’ve managed a real project and lead a team. On top of that – it’s all for a great cause!!
  • Describe a time when you’ve worked in a team. All projects Warwick Volunteers do involves a lot of teamwork – you often need to solve problems quickly, come up with creative solutions and make sure you all work as a team, all of which are qualities you need when you start your working life no matter what career path you choose.

So what I am doing now? Wearing my WV hoodie (I still love it!) and getting ready for another working week in Vodafone. After university I joined Vodafone graduate scheme, currently one year in the scheme I feel very grateful for all the skills that Warwick Volunteers have given me and that has not only helped me to get a graduate job, but also helps me every day in my working life. Also my volunteering journey hasn’t stopped – I’m one of Vodafone graduate charity committee board members, looking out for new graduate volunteering opportunities and tracking how much fundraising we’ve done.

Photos: me on student exec committee; with some of my Bake It Up! volunteers at celebration event and most recent one on the top left – volunteering with my team in Vodafone at donkey sanctuary :)dita-exec.jpg

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