For those curious of how the selection took place, here is a summary below:
Game... The name of the game is applying for the opportunity to volunteer with VSO through Randstad. Last year I became interested through reading the blog post of another US volunteer in Zambia. I was impressed and excited about what she was doing, and began reaching out through proper channels (all can be found on RT connect intranet) to research what to do to apply.
*Note- you can also apply directly with VSO if you do not work at Randstad and are reading this, just go to the website on this page in "Useful Links" to the right :)
Set... After a lot of inquiries and a couple of phone interviews, I was happy to hear I'd been selected for next steps - to go to an Assessment day for CUSO (North American VSO partner) in Chicago. This was an experience in itself! It was a full FUN day of activities designed to assess each of us on our ability to work in teams to solve problems, along with watching videos from other volunteer experiences, as well as an in person interview. That was in October and I still keep in touch with my fellow volunteers from that day, a truly amazing group that I'm happy to call my friends. *SHOUT OUT* Within a week or so I was contacted to say my assessment day was successful and I'd been accepted to the program-yay! Now I was to wait for VSO to match me with an open volunteer assignment where my skills would be best put to use. Little did I know this could take a while....
Fast forward to February... I received a job description from VSO for an HR Adviser position in Tanzania, and an interview was scheduled with the Program Manager in Mtwara (Southeast region of Tanzania).
Match!! I found out I had been selected for the assignment and started my journey of immunizations (which can be summed up as ouch-eh- OUCH- bleh- and eh), visa's, criminal checks, and other paperwork, and here I am now- flights should be booked soon and we are moving right along. Will write again soon!
Below is a group pic from Assessment day :)
