We will be sharing stories from those who have built or are building a career in the social impact space, to help spread awareness of all the different twists and turns that an impactful career can have and to help you kick off or shapre your own career.
This week, we interviewed Net Impact Boston President, Iris Kuqi, about her career journey, moving internationally, and with large NGOs like the United Nations.
Briefly introduce yourself and describe your career so far.
I would have to sum myself up as an enthusiast of global development. As a citizen and professional I am particularly sensitive to sustainability, education, equity and social justice matters. I consider myself a critical thinker, highly observant and naturally inclined to read through data and information patterns. I do believe in using strong evidence to improve strategies and policymaking in various sectors.
I have worked as an agile project manager and coordinator with 15 years of proven professional experience in more than 50 development projects and different geographical regions. And a particular passion is that I love to work with people, train, coach and see them grow.
Having lived and worked in a number of countries and continents, I love the challenge of adjusting to different working environments and cultures.
How did you first get involved with working with NGOs like the UN?
It took a long time and probably hundreds of applications. I got my first job initially through a local NGO in Albania working in a consortium with a consulting company, contracted by the UN to implement an EU-UN financed development project about governance, decentralization and sustainable regional development in Albania. So my first involvement was peripheral and not a direct contract with the UN but at least I had an initial exposure to the UN systems and professionals.
From there it came down to dedication, hard work, and leveraging existing professional references and relationships.
What advice would you offer to those who are interested in working with the UN?
My first piece of advice would be that it’s important to be serious about your job hunting. These jobs can be very competitive so it’s important to utilize professional networking, relevant education and certification, and proven expertise in the sectors and subjects you are applying for.
How did you make the move into consulting positions?
This has not been a linear road but filled with ups and downs. Shifting into consulting is not easy as the regime is completely different from the 9-5 job. Also the environment becomes more competitive, more unpredictable and incomes less stable. So you have to resign from these in order to gain more flexibility and hopefully higher incomes when business is doing well. But you need to always be on the hunt for the next assignment and take particular care of your cash-flow.
As with almost all careers once you have taken the first steps, leveraging my network was important. Colleagues and experts with whom I worked in more long term projects helped me to get into consulting or at least recommend / refer or involve me in projects they were leading.
Gradually you start building a brand where you are known for specific skills and sectors of expertise.
Finally, I cannot recommend networking enough. A lot of networking in the market helps not only to get your name out there, but also and helps you get more info about the various types of assignments that are available, and more open to accepting different assignments.
As someone who has moved internationally, what was the most challenging part of re-starting a career in a new country?
The two most most challenging elements I experienced are:
First, the loss of professional contacts and social capital. When you move from one country to the other it is very hard to rebuild these networks and re-affirm yourself professionally. I found it was important upon arriving in a new place to make yourself know from the start by doing as much as possible in terms of networking and getting yourself out there.
Secondly is the discomfort that comes from the shift from working in a low to middle income country to a developed one. At least in my case this is the hard part. One needs to then to upgrade in terms of skills, subject of expertise and work environment. The challenges among countries and especially continents are very different.
Have you found that social impact is treated with a similar sense of importance in the US compared to elsewhere in the world?
I think Social impact is quite a broad term. If I would refer to the Environmental Sustainability, Green Public Transport, Walkable, greener and smarter cities I would say Europe prioritizes them better than the US. In terms of diversity and Inclusion and Social Justice I would say there is more being done in the US than elsewhere. .
What has been the most rewarding part of working in a different country?
Cultural exchange and cross cultural communication can be challenging, but at the same time is very enriching, as well as being exposed to different ways of working and methodologies.
What actions did you take in order to get yourself immersed into the social impact space in the US?
This one is very simple, and as the head of Net Impact Boston I’m happy to share it - Volunteering and networking!
What role has education and volunteering played in your career?
I have found that Education is most useful when used as a sort of passport or entry ticket to insert you initially in some fields. From then the most important thing you can do is networking and volunteering, especially here in the US
If you could offer one piece of advice to those moving internationally to help with their career, what would it be?
Be open, be flexible, be patient and circulate as much as you can in diverse professional networks to build social and professional capital.
Accept even small, innovative, out-of the box projects, things you have not done before
Observe the niche parts in the market where you can add value, add on top some certifications and then market yourself as the expert in that niche.