Opportunity knocks for Anna

Master’s student, Anna, has given her future career a boost with work experience at Yes for Success (YFS). Anna is no stranger to the challenges of change. At the age of 28 she left her small home town in Kazakhstan to settle in of Moscow for nine years. “My time in that huge, dynamic city taught me a lot,” says Anna, “most importantly, they showed me that there are countless opportunities to change your life for the better.”

It inspired her to take the next step and last year Anna, her husband and their 12-year-old daughter emigrated to New Zealand. Once again, they were stepping out of their comfort zone and adapting to a new environment. Anna joined YFS to build on her studies with hands-on local experience. She immersed herself in the work of our Wellington Hub office, gaining valuable skills in social media and marketing that will serve her well as she forges her career.

How did you hear about YFS? One of my classmates recommended the Seek Volunteer website to me. I saw a vacancy at YFS and applied.

Why did you come to us for assistance? I wanted to do voluntary work in marketing and get practical experience that will help in my future career. I also saw this as a great opportunity to improve my English as it is not my first language.

How did we help you? I truly appreciate all your support and guidance. I have learned a lot and gained essential experience, especially in social media and marketing skills. More than that, you have helped me to believe in myself while adjusting to life in a new country.

How did our volunteers make you feel? The volunteers at YFS were always friendly and welcoming. I felt like a valued part of the team and really enjoyed working alongside them. I felt needed, which was something I deeply missed after moving to New Zealand. Having left family and friends behind, it was great to belong a community again.

Did our programmes meet your expectations? Definitely, yes! As well as marketing experience, this work has helped me overcome the language barrier. I now feel a lot more comfortable speaking English with others.

What was the result? Getting hands-on marketing experience and being trusted and supported to take on responsibilities really lifted my confidence. I now feel more comfortable in the local workplace environment. It has also been incredibly fulfilling to contribute to the wider community.

How would you define success? For me, success means achieving goals in different areas of my life while maintaining a healthy balance between them.

What advice would you give others? Look for opportunities to improve your life and take them! We have no regrets moving to New Zealand and continue to discover something amazing every day. But it can be hard settling into a new country. This is where YFS can really help. If you want to boost your confidence and gain valuable experience, I highly recommend applying for one of their volunteer positions. They provide all the tools you need to prepare for your future career.

What’s next? Have you set any goals? Once I complete my education, I plan to apply for a marketing job. I’m sure the experience I have gained at YFS will be incredibly useful.

We wish Anna and her family well!