What's it like to work for. . . GOAL ?

Edel McNameeEducation co-ordinator

What's it like to work at education co-ordinator for GOAL?

As a recently returned GOALie from Sierra Leone in West Africa, I really enjoy talking to students about my experiences in one of the poorest countries in the world. I have been fortunate to have been invited as a guest speaker not only in schools, but also some third- level institutions and youth groups, to discuss development issues.

How does this job compare to your last job?

I have quite a varied background including working in merchant banking and foreign affairs. However, most recently, I was a sales and marketing manager for an Irish company, during which time I worked in Asia and Russia. It was quite a pressurised job with an incredible amount of travel involved. However, having seen at first hand the work that GOALies do, both overseas and here at home, I now realise that I didn't really have an appreciation of what hard work really is!

What's the best part of your job?

I really enjoy travelling around Ireland to about raise awareness about GOAL and our work. Young people are very honest and to get immediate feedback on student's empathy and willingness to take action to help those who are less well off than themselves is very rewarding.

What's the hardest part of your job?

I love the fact that I'm not deskbound but it can sometimes be a little unsettling not having a permanent base.

Where's the best place in work to retreat to when it all gets too much?

As I'm out and about a lot, I really look forward to getting back to base in Dún Laoghaire to catch up with colleagues and friends in GOAL. When I'm not working, I try to spend as much time as I can with friends in Galway and my family at home in Co Donegal.

Who's your education idol?

Like most people, I had a favourite teacher at school who really influenced some of the choices I made, and who I remember with great admiration and respect. I consider education to be one of the basic fundamentals that every human being has a right to and I really admire those people who have given of their time and expertise to not only teach in the developing world but also to share their knowledge and experience with the future teachers in these countries.

If you could change one thing about your job what would it be?

I would like to visit as many schools as I can within the academic year, so I guess I would like more invitations as a guest speaker for GOAL!

What's unique about working for GOAL?

Coming from a background in the international business community, GOAL's commitment to consistently low administration costs (an average of 5 per cent over the past 28 years) really impressed me from a cost-benefit or value-for-money point of view. As I have worked with GOAL overseas, I know for a fact that GOAL's programmes, which alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable and most disadvantaged communities in so many different countries, are implemented in a cost-effective manner.

In conversation with Louise Holden