How I Did It: Meet 20 Yr Old UoN Student With The ‘Perfect’ CV

By Tabitha Makumi,

Dennis Murimi Nyaga is just starting out on his career with a Bachelors of Commerce (Finance Option) at the University of Nairobi but his CV will put many who claim to have “experience” to shame.

The Starehe Boys’ alumnus has successfully managed to combine his academics with volunteering services at Sheria House, Kenya Re-Insurance and Nairobi Hospital to create a magnet sought of CV.

“I have a passion of giving back to the community. I never paid a single cent for my High School education fee. Thus, I want to express my gratitude to those selfless individuals and the community as a whole for making an impact in my life,” he shares during an interview.

How did you land your first volunteering post at Sheria House?
At Starehe Boys’ Centre, we had a Volunteer Service Scheme, which was charged with the responsibility of organizing volunteer for the students.

Those students who were ready to volunteer and were qualified (based on character) were usually posted to different organizations during the holiday. In Form 2, I applied for volunteer post and I was taken.

Which vital skills did you gain from this experience?
During the 4 months, I was able to enhance my interpersonal communication skills and gained ability to perform multiple types of duties with precision

You’ve also volunteered with Kenya Re-Insurance and Nairobi Hospital…Tell me about this.
Both positions I got through VSC at Starehe. At Re- Insurance the work was more of maintaining file records. While at Nairobi Hospital I held conversation with patients and comforted them.

I also completed clerical office work as needed and directed patients and visitors within the hospital premises.

Was there a stipend at any of the three opportunities?
No. There was no stipend. The only benefit I got was the experience. However, the organizations provided lunch while Starehe Boys’ Centre provided the transport fee.

Some organizations gave the school(Starehe Boys’ Centre) some cash grants after the volunteers (myself included) had left.

What inspires you to keep volunteering?
I want to help people selflessly. I draw my inspiration from Starehe Boys’ Centre founder , Dr. Geoffrey Griffin who built the school to help the needy, not for any personal gain but from a motive to make an impact to the humanity.

Have you tried looking for paying positions?
Yes. I took a paid position last year before joining the university, in a supermarket at Ruaraka, Nairobi as a customer attendant. I hope to get a permanent and paid job position towards the end of my university course.

When will you be done with your degree and what kind of jobs are you hoping to get?
I will be done with the degree in April 2017. I hope to get jobs in the financial sector.

What’s your advice to young Kenyans on volunteering?
They should be ready to take up volunteer position as a way of gaining experience in the different areas they hope to work later in.
Above all, volunteering is a way of giving back to the society.

What would you like to tell potential employers reading this?
I am ready to volunteer in their organizations. I am certain to prove an important asset to their organization. I strongly believe their organization will leverage a platform for me to put into practice the wide knowledge I have received through my volunteering and in the University.

Would you like potential employers to notice you through Career Point Kenya? Share your stories with tabitha@www.careerpointkenya.co.ke

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