Elena Chavez Back to Profession through Volunteering at Minerva
2009 was a difficult year for me. After a few months of looking for a job without any luck, I decided to apply for a volunteer position at Minerva Foundation.
At that moment I didn’t know anything about this organization. I talked with a nice lady called Astrid about the position of Office Assistant, but when she saw my resume and found out that I was a Graphic Designer she asked me why I wanted to work as an Office Assistant instead of a Graphic Designer? I mentioned to her that had been very difficult for me to find a job as a Graphic Designer, and I wanted to try something new. “Well, actually we need the help of a Graphic Designer to work with us because we are updating our image, website, and the newsletter” –she said- “would you like to help us with those projects?” I said –“yes”-
During this time I was able to help them complete the website as well as the newsletter; moreover, to show them my abilities and my skills. Also I learned more about Minerva Foundation and their programs to help women get back on their feet. In addition, I learned that they might be able to help me to get back to my profession through Minerva Helping Women Work program.
Definitely working under a volunteer position helped me to see the other side of the coin, and get back to the possibility of fulfilling my career expectations in life trough my Graphic Design skills.
>>>Elena Chavez was born in Mexico City. She attended the Metropolitan Autonoma University. In 1992 she completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design and Communication. Since then she has worked as a freelance designer. In 1997 she immigrated to Vancouver, Canada. There she went to Bodwell Internet School and completed a Web Page Graphic Design Certificate. One year later she completed her diploma in Multimedia Studies from the University of British Columbia. >>>
Elena Chavez
Email: elena.chavez.c@gmail.com
www.elenachavezdesigner.com