A Passion for Not-For-Profits: Claire Sargeant ‘09

Claire Sargeant ‘09 is a graduate from Queen’s University where she obtained a BA in Psychology and Sociology. When Claire graduated from Queen’s, she decided to pack her bags and move to the UK with her friends to start a new adventure.

Claire got a two-year Youth Mobility VISA, packed her belongings and headed off on her adventure. “I was excited about the opportunity to travel Europe while living in London. It was so easy and inexpensive to get around. Within my first year I managed to visit 11 countries,” Claire says.

While in the UK, Claire worked at Terrence Higgins Trust, which is the UK's leading HIV and sexual health charity. Her favourite part about working for them was the passion and commitment demonstrated by her co-workers. Her team was focused on ending HIV transmission in the UK by 2030 and the charity is on track to do so. “Working with others who are so passionate about achieving the charity’s objectives creates an inspiring and motivating environment. I love knowing that my desk job had such a significant impact on other people's lives,” she says.

Claire has always been interested in working in the not-for-profit sector. She volunteered with different organizations back home, including some during her time at Greenwood. “The way Greenwood instilled the values of giving back to your community has shaped my entire career path,” says Claire. “It is something I have always valued, and thanks to all the opportunities I had at Greenwood, I was well prepared to continue volunteering and eventually working for several different charities.”

Along with charity fundraising, Claire has spent the past few years working on mass participation teams. Mass participation teams are unique to the UK and arise when supporters choose to participate in big events to raise money for their chosen cause. Last year, Claire started training to run in the London Marathon to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust. Claire ran the London Marathon in October; however, because of the pandemic, it was a virtual experience.

Recently, Claire moved back to Toronto and started working at Wellspring as an Event Manager. Wellspring is a Cancer Treatment Centre in Toronto that offers programs and services, at no charge, to anyone with any type of cancer. 

Claire encourages anyone who is wanting to move abroad to “just do it!” “The Youth Mobility VISA for the UK is super easy to get and the opportunities to travel, work and explore are endless,” she says. Claire also believes working in the non-profit world is a great way to align your passion and motivation with a job while supporting your community. “I have been lucky enough to turn my hobbies from high school and university into a rewarding career,” says Claire. “I did have a brief stint where I tried to work in a different sector but it didn’t last very long!”

We look forward to having Claire speak to our students about her endeavors at our annual Careers Morning on February 2.
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