Where are you currently working/volunteering, and what are you doing?
I am working with UK DFID's flagship Urban Programme in India, The Madhya Pradesh Urban Services for the Poor (www.mpusp.org).
My job description includes the following - overseeing the City Development Plan preparation for 106 towns, writing a successful proposal for (and currently establishing) a Cities Alliance/World Bank funded Planning Support Unit, overseeing Zonal Planning in major cities, training and capacity building initiatives pertaining to development planning, Adaptive Re-use of a heritage precinct in Bhopal as an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable urban design/development (building on the research work developed at the Green Research project of INTBAU-UK), overseeing GIS and household surveys, slum policy development and policy level inputs to the Urban Development Department of the State (building on similar work in my voluntary consultancy assignments with DPU and voluntary internship at ADB's Urban Water Supply and Environmental Improvement Programme MP).
What volunteering were you involved with whilst you were at UCL?
While in UCL, I was involved in a London Sustainability Exchange voluntary internship with INTBAU-UK (www.intbau.org) as a project associate for their Green Research Project. Also, I was involved with the International Student House as a resident volunteer, and was involved in various departmental consultancy projects voluntarily.
I also served as PG Faculty Representative of Bartlett faculty of Built Environment at UCLU, as Departmental representative at the Faculty Teaching Committee for DPU and as Class representative for MSc. Urban Development Planning at DPU.
What useful skills and experiences did you gain as a volunteer when you were at UCL?
My belief in volunteerism was definitely reaffirmed while in UCL. Having worked with communities in various summer schools and architecture and development projects before, UCL was a fresh change where volunteerism is pursued in its purest selfless form at VSU and elsewhere.
I gained valuable work experience and learned to be more kind and compassionate.
How has volunteering helped you in your career so far?
I gained valuable work experience and solid credentials for my CV in the process. Moreover, volunteering gave me an inroad into places where my lack of experience would have been a barrier. There are multitude of indirect benefits to be had from volunteering both in terms of career, social bonding and the joy that comes with helping others. Certainly, it’s been one significant factor in getting me my current job
What would you say to UCL students considering whether or not to volunteer?
Whatever your reason is, it is always a good idea to volunteer; it will always leave you with a sense of fulfillment and contribution to the society.