Embracing a Major Career Shift: Sameera’s Journey from Corporate to Charity

Making a significant career change is both a scary and exciting prospect. I’m Sameera, and I’ve been the Partnerships and Fundraising Officer here at Goodwill Caravan for almost a year.

Before joining the non-profits world, I spent 13 years in the corporate sector, working in the asset management field. In the corporate world, the focus is on growth and profits, and finding ways to maximise these. During my career, this entailed getting involved in business development, client relations, and thinking about strategy. It was certainly very exciting, but something was missing.

I realised I wanted my career to have a meaningful impact, and to feel that I was part of something bigger. I wanted to do work that could change lives, whether this was bringing about social change, the alleviation of poverty, or aiding displaced populations.

After careful consideration, I made a big decision. I left the corporate world behind and joined Goodwill Caravan, where I now focus on building partnerships with organisations that share our mission of supporting displaced communities. Success is no longer defined by profits, but rather the positive change created in the lives of those we serve. I’ve also come to discover that professionals from the corporate world bring valuable expertise that can strengthen the charity sector. Skills such as relationship building, stakeholder management, strategic planning and operational efficiency go a long way in propelling a charity forward.

Every day, I get to create connections which help us expand our global impact. I could be working on a training program for refugees, or a project providing food to those in a war zone.
While it’s been a huge change, it’s also the best decision I’ve made. Working in the charity sector allows one to see the direct impact of their efforts, bringing so much emotional and personal reward.