Mónica Almeida
VET intern
When I decided to leave my country behind and venture into unknown territory, I never imagined that the journey I was about to embark on would be so enriching.
During my internship, I worked as a trainer in seminars, which helped me to develop several skills. My communication and language skills were put to test straight away due to the fact that I had to talk to large groups of people. My intellectual and creative side reached new horizons when I was challenged to create workshops on different subjects. I was introduced to non-formal methods in education and I now recognise its importance for personal development and mobility.
I also participated in an international seminar with people from different countries and organisations, whose aim it was to discuss the process of preparing projects for people with fewer opportunities. This was a unique chance to understand how NGOs work and achieve their goals.
Aside from the work in seminars, I worked at EFM’s head office. There, I created newsletters for projects, learnt how to use new software and work to tight dealines. I was fortunate enough to be present when new projects were launched and helped fill in the forms.
Overall, I can say that I wouldn’t change the 6 months I spent working for EFM for anything. I honestly hope more people will enroll on programmes like VET because it really helps your growth both on a personal and professional level, preparing you to face the challenges of the labour market and the world of work.