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Two years after graduating from RMIT, I left the corporate world to pursue a career in a lesser-known field: nonprofit, youth development, and peacebuilding. It was an unconventional path that went against my parents’ expectations, but it led me to a fulfilling career aligning with my personal values and professional interests. I got to work with grassroots organizations like Sarus, where I supported youth leadership, community development, and peace education through cross-border exchange programs in Cambodia and Vietnam.Â
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When I told my mother I wanted a flexible, impactful job that involved travel, she said, “There's no such job."
Since my student days at RMIT, I knew I wanted a career that involved helping others, though I didn’t have a clear direction. My first job in customer service aligned with that interest, but I later shifted into the finance sector. Despite the second job meeting my parents' expectations, I found myself unhappy and constantly browsing nonprofit job listings. When I was eventually let go from my finance role, I saw it as an opportunity to finally follow my heart and pursue meaningful work in the non-profit sector.
The biggest challenge was going against my parents’ hopes and expectations. I was also afraid I wouldn’t find a job in a completely new field. When I told my mother I wanted a flexible, impactful job that involved travel, she said, “There’s no such job.” I also heard that NGO work paid poorly, which added to my doubts.
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Feeling stuck, I turned to RMIT’s Career Service. My counsellor, Ms. Phoenix Ho, helped me see things differently. She said, “Your parents didn’t have the privilege of choosing work they liked. Twenty to thirty years ago, they had to take any jobs available. But your time is different — if you don’t have genuine interest in the job you’re applying for, it’ll be hard to convince others to hire you.” Her words gave me the courage to pursue what truly mattered to me.
My first NGO job paid half of my previous salary, but it was the first time I felt aligned with my values. A year later, I found the job I once thought didn’t exist: at Sarus, where I could travel, support young people, and contribute to peacebuilding through education. There have been many proud moments—especially when students shared how the program changed their lives. But the proudest was in 2017, when I secured my first grant from GIZ Cambodia to run a Sarus program. It marked my first fundraising success, and more importantly, it showed that someone believed in me and in the impact of our work.
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