Teaching and Learning > DOCUMENTS
CSR Case Study - Oxfam
Julie Gallimore
Oxfam
Fiona, Campaign worker
BA Marketing Management, University of Huddersfield
Motivation
I knew early on that I wanted to work in the not for profit sector and use my marketing skills in a positive way. Only two people out of a course of over one hundred wanted to work for this sector. Marketing is a useful tool and it doesn't have to be about exploitation.
Experience
On graduation I travelled around India, China and Australia and combined this with fundraising for Greenpeace. I got promoted to team leader and worked as a fundraising coordinator for a couple of years. Towards the end of this time I realised I wanted to work in campaigns and didn't have the relevant experience.
When I got back to the UK, I started to make campaign applications and didn't get anywhere. When I asked for feedback they told me I was qualified and capable but didn't have the experience to step into the role. So I took on a volunteer role with Oxfam two days a week getting involved in their campaign work, I combined this with part time work in shops. After a couple of months Oxfam offered me a paid role.
It's taken me a while to get where I want to be so it's important to have confidence in your ability and not loose focus
Campaigning
Is about getting a core message across and ensuring that this translates well into the media spotlight. It involves skilful networking, lobbying and political work. My campaign work has been linked to raising awareness about health and education and trying to inspire people to take action.
Networking skills have been useful in liaising with community projects. Project management and commercial skills have also been essential.
My mantra - always question, always challenge. You will find lots of activists in this work - people who believe in what they are doing and taking practical steps to hopefully bring about change.
This page was originally on the website of The Subject Centre for Philosophical and Religious Studies. It was transfered here following the closure of the Subject Centre at the end of 2011.
