Attending the Education and International Development: Career Conversations panel at UCL on May 13th was an incredibly rewarding experience, especially as an Intern with the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA). Creating spaces where people can learn from one another and feel supported is something I deeply care about, and this evening truly embodied that spirit.
We were fortunate to have a brilliant panel of speakers at different stages of their careers who shared their honest reflections and practical guidance. Their passion for their work and their generosity in supporting students as we think about our next steps was wonderful to witness. A huge thank you to the amazing speakers:
Dr. Nooralhaq Nasimi MBE, Founder and CEO of ACAA, a pioneering charity dedicated to the integration and empowerment of refugees and asylum seekers in the UK, with extensive advocacy work in Afghanistan.
Lily Owen, Asylum Move on Liaison Officer at the UK Home Office, working at the intersection of asylum policy and practical support for people navigating the system.
Izzy Levine, Humanitarian Action Programme Coordinator at the British Red Cross, working to support and develop the next generation of humanitarian practitioners .
Dr. Anushay Mazhar, Postdoctoral Researcher and Consultant at Oxford MeasurEd, specializing in early childhood education, child development, and research evaluation across global contexts.
Dr. Paul Fean, Senior Adolescent and Youth Development Advisor at Mercy Corps, an education and youth livelihoods specialist with extensive experience designing humanitarian programmes across the Middle East, Africa, and beyond.
Cennydd Young, from Refugee Education UK, working on access to education and support for refugees and displaced young people.
A major highlight for me was hearing Dr. Nasimi speak passionately about the importance of youth involvement in grassroots organizations. He emphasized that joining these community initiatives is one of the best ways to gain real world experience and be a part of meaningful change firsthand. He expanded on how grassroots work allows us to directly connect with the communities we are trying to help, bridging the gap between high level policies and everyday human realities. Hearing him reflect on ACAA’s journey and the tangible impact of supporting diaspora and refugee populations was incredibly inspiring. As someone currently interning at his organization, his words resonated deeply with me. It reminded me exactly why I wanted to get involved in this sector in the first place, proving how dedicated local action and advocacy are absolutely essential when tackling complex global issues like refugee integration.
Lily Owen also offered a refreshing and deeply honest perspective on navigating the sector. She addressed the realities of the current instability in the international development space, but noted how the room was still filled with an overriding energy of hope. Lily shared her own journey, detailing her transition from academia to becoming a Civil Servant at the UK Home Office, which began with various internships. What struck me most was her candid discussion about imposter syndrome and self doubt. She reminded us that these feelings occur at all career stages, and emphasized the importance of trusting our own excellence and perspective. Her vulnerability showed just how useful open and honest career conversations can be for building confidence.
Another incredibly insightful perspective came from Cennydd Young, who reflected on the importance of having representation from the charity and social change sector at university career events. They shared how it felt like an incredible full circle moment to return as a panelist, having once been a student searching for guidance in this space. Cennydd also provided valuable advice on navigating careers, noting how following their curiosity led them to the youth and refugee education sector, where they discovered just how deeply political our communities are. Their point about the enduring importance of our individual voices, especially in a world increasingly influenced by AI, and the need to build the confidence to take up space in our careers was a powerful takeaway for all the students present.
Events like this one are truly vital for young people entering the fields of international development, humanitarian work, and refugee rights. For many of us, the path into this sector is not always clearly defined, and the distance between academic theory and real world practice can feel overwhelming. Career conversations like these create a rare and precious space where that gap is meaningfully closed. Hearing directly from practitioners about their setbacks, pivots, and unexpected journeys normalizes the non-linear nature of building a career in this field. They remind us that passion, curiosity, and a willingness to serve are just as important as credentials. For youth from diaspora and refugee communities in particular, seeing leaders like Dr. Nasimi demonstrate what is possible through dedication and community service is not just inspiring, it is transformative.
Thank you to the UCL Students Ioana Stan, Simone Datzberger, Isabela Calle, Nilabja Das, Yuri Enokida, and Meike Gucuk for their hard work in organizing it.
I hope this is just the start of many more career conversations that help bridge the gap between academic study and the impactful work happening on the ground.
By Alekha Chowdhury