Michael Simpson Follows his Passion to South Sudan
Michael Simpson, who graduated with a BA in International Relations in 2014, is doing exactly what he wanted to do. He works today in South Sudan as a Logistics Officer with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
What he is doing is remarkable, but how he got to do it is even more remarkable. Michael’s is a story of initiative, drive, daring and global citizenship. Here is how he tells the story himself:
I knew I wanted to do some type of humanitarian work for a while and in my last semester at BU was contacting NGOs and UN staff to try and set up informational interviews in New York and Washington, DC. I would sit down with anyone who would take the time to meet with me and ask them about their work, experience, how they got started etc. Ultimately my goal was to try to network for an unpaid internship or volunteer position and get them to send my CV to some colleagues in the field.
After applying for positions and holding informational interviews for a few months I was not getting anywhere and repeatedly just received the advice to go to the field and try to find work. By being in the field locations and offering your services, you are able to show commitment, the ability to start almost immediately as opposed to the long application process, and if you can get yourself to the location safely, you’re probably not a complete idiot.
I took out a loan, decided to pack up my things, and fly to Nairobi, Kenya. Because of the looming crisis and expectations of famine, I knew South Sudan was where the humanitarian community needed staff, but because of visa restrictions could not get into the country without an invitation from an organization. As the East African regional office for most NGOs/IGOs, Nairobi was the closest I could get. Through my contacts I was able to get in touch with three people in Nairobi who were willing to hold informational interviews with me. After meeting with a man from WFP-Somalia he passed my CV onto WFP-South Sudan who offered me paid work as Logistics Officer.
Michael Simpson thinks that he “got very very lucky.” In fact, it was strategic thinking and the tenacity to fiercely follow his passion that got him to humanitarian work in South Sudan. Here’s how:
Essentially I knew that with only a bachelor’s degree and my ROTC/military experience, I cannot compete on paper with the average UN applicant who is 28, has a master’s degree, experience, and probably speaks 3 languages. I had to network, meet with staff in person and convince them that while I do not have experience, I have the ability to learn quickly and am worth taking a gamble on.
The UN World Food Programme was willing to take a gamble on Michael Simpson and he was able to follow his passion all the way to South Sudan. Today, he is doing exactly the type of humanitarian assistance work that he wanted to do before he joins the US Marines next year.
Michael Simpson tells us that he misses BU. Keep up the good work, Michael. Proud of you.
(Note: Also read about how Alumna Bethany Saul followed her passion to Syrian refugee camps in Jordan, here.)