Interview with ExC Alumni Laura Peña

It is my first day in Colombia, I landed a couple of hours ago in picturesque Cartagena and am still fighting my jetlag but I want to optimize the little time I have in this beautiful city.

No better way to make sure you don’t fall asleep mid interview then a strong cup of Juan Valdez Colombian coffee!

I am meeting Laura Pena an ex alumni from Ensena por Colombia (ExC) on the well-known plaza de Bolivar.

Laura is one of 100 star teachers that was selected to work in one of Ensena por Colombia’s colegios.

Some fun facts for you:

• Over the past 6 years Ensena por Colombia has had more than 17,000 applicants

(wherefrom only 221 were selected)

• Ensena is active in 38 schools and

• Their teachers have taught over 20,000 students

Before I start my marketing assignment with the head office in Bogota and before I visit the schools – which I am very excited about- I was keen to understand what motivates young professionals from top universities aka the future leaders of the country to sign up for a two year contract to teach and support children in under-resourced communities. This is the reason why I have decided to interview Laura Peña who is going to share her experience in Cartagena.

Can you give us a brief overview of your background?

I was born in Bogotá, Colombia, I am 27 years old and I got my bachelor degree in fine arts. I love museums, history, cooking and nature.

I have always combined my passion for art with work. When I graduated in 2012, I found a job at an art gallery in my home town Bogota, where I was in charge of the educational part of the museum sharing my love for art with children.

In 2015, I worked for two years as a teacher for Enseña for Colombia in Cartagena where I am currently still based and working as a coach for ExC's new teacher recruits.

How did you first hear about ExC?

It was actually my mum who told me about the program ExC offered. That was back in 2015, by that time ExC had already been active in Colombia for 5 years so they were already pretty established and in full marketing mode. For one of their recruitment-campaigns, they appeared on the national radio, my mum heard the interview and immediately thought it was meant for me! She told me to apply but at first I have to admit I wasn't 100% sure as I loved my job at the time and was pretty comfortable... I decided to do some research first before applying and the more I read about ExC, the more I was intrigued so I decided to go ahead and give it a go!

I knew ExC had many many applicants from top universities so I wasn't sure I would get the job, but I I went for it anyway with all my heart and the rest is history!

Tell us more about the recruitment process?

Oh, the recruitment process was very different from other "normal" job interviews I had had. There were many of them too! They made us work in pairs, do role plays, etc They even made us pretend we were teachers for 5 min, it was then that I knew this was for me, I loved every minute of it, and it was only the beginning!

The following month I received a phone call informing me I had been selected to work in a new school on one of the Islands of Cartagena, Barú! I felt like I had won the lottery that day, I didn't just get offered an incredible job with high-end continuous training and support, I was being sent to one of the most beautiful and diverse places of Colombia!

What did you learn during these 2 years?

And what was your biggest achievement?

I dont know where to start, I learned so much in these 2 years, it was a very steep learning process with constant new personal targets. But if I have to chose 1 big lesson I learned, I would say it is that I learned how to fail. It might sound weird but I learned to use that experience to grow and improve.

An other important growing point is that I also learned how to work together with others as a real team, to work with my students their communities and other teachers. I built a "family" in my school and town, that, I would say is my biggest achievement.

How did this experience change your personality?

I left my comfort zone in Bogota and arrived at an unknown town ready for a challenge as prepared as I could be.

For the first time in my whole life I had the time to really know who I am and how to deal with my emotions and expectations. This unique experience, gave me the chance to teach me who I really am!

Which part of the job did you enjoy the most?

To work with my kids, seeing them grow and reach their potential!

(And of course the beaches! We have the most beautiful beaches in Cartagena! )

What would you change if you had to do it all over again?

Nothing!

What did you decided to do after the 2 years?

Most alumni (ex teachers) stay in the social sector, I would say 80% chose to stay in this field, not per se as school teachers but they chose a job where they can utilize their experience. Look at me for example.", I still work for ExC but as a coach for new teachers. I mentor them, support and guide them were needed.

I absolutely love my job.

* Note that this whole blog is based exclusively on my personal views

#teachforcolombia #colombia #fundraising #nathalieRUIZ #education