MSc in Health Policy, Planning and Financing, 2012
Head of Delegation for Algeria/Sahara, Spanish Red Cross
I have been a volunteer with the Spanish Red Cross since 1992, when I started as a volunteer in a group for youth activities. Ever since I have been developing myself within the organisation, including volunteering during my degree, and now I have followed a career path with aid organisations.
I have been a humanitarian aid worker for the past 10 years as a health delegate on a wide variety of missions helping vulnerable people across the world. Helping those less fortunate than you in some of the world’s poorest countries can be an immensely rewarding experience. While working I have taken a few breaks where I have studied new international protocols and continued my education and studies, including my MSc at LSE. The mix of fieldwork and studying has really helped me develop my professional skills and I have been able to apply these in my missions for the Red Cross.
I am currently working for the Spanish Red Cross in Algeria and Sahara, coordinating the teams working in the field as well as their resources; trying to optimise our efforts and provide the highest quality of aid to the Saharawi refugees. There is also another side to my role, where I try to secure sponsorship and support from organisations and companies so that we can continue our vital work. To be able to perform these activities, you need to be calm, patient, know the organisations and be able to network effectively and build strong relationships. The nature of the job means you will meet a lot of great people who will open doors of opportunity and future collaboration to you.
I hope that I can continue my mix of education and working. Whilst working I do refresher courses online and when I am not working I engage myself with full time study such as when I did my MSc at LSE. This continuation of education is constantly improving my practical skills and also my knowledge about my field of work, better preparing me for the future. The ultimate dream for me is to obtain a position in a humanitarian organisation’s headquarters working in a more strategic perspective.
My advice to current LSE students would be to make sure you are following a career you are really passionate about because there is nothing worse than being stuck in a job which doesn’t inspire any enjoyment.
The degree content at LSE was exactly what I was looking for, providing me with the perfect mix of economics and health policy which has given me great support in my professional development. The professors on my course were excellent, not just in their teaching but also in their one to one interaction where I was able to learn about their experiences and gain invaluable advice. Attracting the brightest minds in the world LSE gave me the opportunity to make great friendships and contacts with people who share similar passions and interests as me. My only regret is that the experience was all too short and I wish I could have stayed longer, but I am extremely happy with everything my time at LSE has provided me.