I Got Hired: Fundraising Officer at The Brain Charity

Posted on: 21 November 2023 by Richard Finch in Graduate stories

Esme Smithson is a Class of 2022 Communications and Media with English Literature graduate, now a Fundraising Officer at The Brain Charity.

I've always wanted to work at The Brain Charity, so I followed them on LinkedIn and had job alerts set in case they were ever hiring. I also received the LCVS newsletter, which lists lots of roles available in the charity sector across Liverpool and is a great resource if you're looking to work in this industry!

I always knew I wanted to work in the third sector, as my mum is a nurse and my dad has worked for several amazing charities. It only made sense to me to continue the family tradition and find a fulfilling role where I could help people and make a change.

Initially in third year I got a job at Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, where I worked for just over a year. I learned a lot and got the chance to understand what kind of work and environment suited me.

It gave me a really great foundation and helped me develop my skills as a fundraiser, so when my current job at The Brain Charity popped up I had the confidence to apply for it, even though it was for a different type of role!

One of the most amazing experiences I have had is representing The Brain Charity in the Houses of Parliament as part of their 'Its all in your head' report launch, which explores the journey and difficulties of getting a diagnosis of a neurological condition. A team of staff, trustees and people with lived experience spoke to MPs about the report's findings and asked them to pledge their support to back the #1in6 people living with a neurological condition. It was my first experience of being 'in the room where it happens' and getting to be on the inside of how change is made. It was really inspiring to be a part of.

The most challenging part of my graduate journey was the fear of the job market after the Covid-19 lockdowns. So many charities had scaled down their staff to save money, and I didn't know if there would be opportunities for me to apply for after graduation.

A lot of organisations had moved to be fully remote and I knew after spending most of my uni experience learning from home that I wanted to have the social experience of a hybrid or office-based job. I do think overall the options to work flexibly are really positive to suit different types of workers, but it's important to find the right one for you.

My Top 3 Tips for current students and recent graduates.

1) Look for internships or volunteer opportunities in your chosen industry - I had two charity internships during uni and they helped me understand more clearly what I wanted to do, as well as gain a broader knowledge of the sector as a whole. So many businesses offer remote and flexible internships after the Covid-19 lockdowns, so don't be afraid to look wider than Merseyside for opportunities. They also look great on your CV and LinkedIn and you never know where those connections might lead in the future.

2) Put aside a little bit of time each week to research jobs. Taking a couple of hours here or there to look at your options makes it seem like a much less scary task! New vacancies are posted every day and you never know which one could be the perfect opportunity for you, plus it's always great to get interview experience. I got my first graduate job in the April of third year and they agreed to take me on part time until I finished my studies and joined in a full-time role. If I'd waited until the end of term, that job wouldn't have been available anymore!

3) Look after yourself! Balancing studies with looking for jobs or grad schemes can be really stressful, so make sure to take time with your friends, speak to your family, and do things you love to take a break. Your assignment or job application isn't more important than your mental health."