Prove your worth and build a network of contacts that will help you secure a permanent role or advance your career.

Corrado Cok graduated in International and Diplomatic Sciences at the University of Trieste. He is currently based in Nairobi (Kenya), working as Program Manager for AVSI Foundation and as a Research Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR). In 2024 he spoke in a Career Focus session organised by the University’s Career Service. Interview updated in April 2024.

What was your first work experience after graduating? Did it help you get into the organisation you work for today?

My first experience was a three‑month internship at the Italian Embassy in Paris. It was highly formative and eye‑opening, especially in relation to my academic path. However, it did not directly help me enter the NGO where I currently work.

What are your duties and responsibilities?

In my role as Program Manager at AVSI Foundation, I manage the local team and the implementation of a project in Somalia; I coordinate logistics, financial and administrative tasks; I handle project reporting; I liaise with the donor and other institutional stakeholders; and I work on fundraising and the development of new projects.

As a Research Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, I conduct research on political, economic, security and energy issues in the Gulf and sub‑Saharan Africa; I write commentary and analytical reports on key trends in the regions of interest; I organise roundtables with policymakers and economic actors; and I carry out research interviews with stakeholders and experts connected to the topics analysed.

Looking back, is there a mistake you think you made when searching for your first jobs—something you’d share so others don’t repeat it?

Not taking the time—immediately after completing my bachelor’s degree—to reflect seriously on the professional path I wanted to follow and on what I was truly good at: two aspects that must go hand in hand. The result was that I juggled different paths in an attempt to keep many doors open, but ended up spreading myself too thin.

Which skills or qualities helped you achieve your professional goals?

Perseverance, steady commitment, research and analytical skills, strong writing in English, good knowledge of a second foreign language (in my case, French), a multidisciplinary background, listening and a willingness to learn, and flexibility.

What would you recommend to a recent graduate who wants to pursue your profession?

I suggest getting involved with a non‑profit organisation—ideally one that is well established at regional or national level—by actively volunteering while still studying. A useful next step is a period of civil service abroad or, alternatively, an internship in extra‑European missions of the same or another humanitarian organisation. Finally, it is essential to prove yourself and build a network within the organisation that can help you secure a stable position or move up in your role.