Daisy Vaughan
Current Employer/Organisation Name
British Red Cross
What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?
Since graduating, I have worked as a Bilingual Refugee Support Worker in Devon for resettled Syrian families through the Gov VPRS Scheme/Community Sponsorship. I subsequently moved to Mexico to work as Coordinator of Refugee Support Services for a UNHCR-partnered organisation called Habesha Project, resettling Syrian and Central/South American refugees through Higher Education grants at Mexican Universities. Since October of 2020 I have been with the Red Cross.
Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?
I chose a humanitarian career as I love having the opportunity to use my language skills for something that can have a really tangible positive impact on someone’s migratory journey and life in general. I most enjoy advocating on behalf of and alongside our clients to ensure that they have a voice, and that it’s heard, in an ever-increasingly hostile environment for Refugees and Asylum seekers both within the UK and the global context.
Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?
I was a member of the kayak, climbing and outdoor society, as well as the Friends of Palestine society.
Were you part of the Exeter Student Ambassador Scheme at any point during your studies?
Yes.
What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?
What I enjoyed most was the diversity among teachers, and how this reflected our curriculum. Having teachers with experience in Translation, Literature, Interpreting and a range of other subjects made for a dynamic and engaging approach in the classroom.
What did you enjoy most about studying here?
The beautiful campus!
Why did you choose to study at Exeter?
The beautiful campus/area of the country to live in!
What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?
Interpreting skills, which I have used in all 4 positions since graduating, have undoubtedly been integral to my career. Translation skills have also been very useful as I took on two free-lance translations projects in my first year after graduation.
What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?
Volunteer – but only so far! It sounds silly, but a lot of the relevant experience you need can be gained through volunteering, but it’s only really sustainable to do so for a certain period of time I think. Don’t be afraid to accept what might not seem like your dream role, as you never know what that role may turn into!
What are your plans for the future?
I wish to continue with the Red Cross for a few more years, hopefully progressing to a more senior role such as Operations Manager (of a whole area of the Country, i.e South West), and then explore roles in the wider IFRC community potentially in the Middle East.
