Sarah Cowley

Corporate Communications Manager
ISI Group
Cambodia
My study provided a great theoretical understanding of global development, international politics and community development programming. After this, I wanted to go and learn about community development practically, so moved to Cambodia to work for an NGO.

What was the best thing about studying at UQ?
I really enjoyed the individual courses that were offered throughout the degree. Lecturers and teachers were very knowledgable and overall the program was great.

What was the best thing about your program at UQ?
Each course was interesting and relevant.

How did your study help you to get to your current role, and what does your current role involve?
My study provided a great theoretical understanding of global development, international politics and community development programming. After this, I wanted to go and learn about community development practically, so moved to Cambodia to work for a grassroots NGO. There I supported their education and skill development programs. I then travelled and work in Nepal and India as well. Throughout these experiences I was able to apply what I'd learnt at uni, and further my understanding of what "community development" is and how to and not to do this successfully.

Working with marginalized and disadvantaged women and girls, victims of sexual, physical and mental assualt in a number of scenarios and organizations, as well as living in developing countries, taught me about the reality of development that added to what I'd learnt at uni. I also worked for the Peace Crane Project implementing their global peace education program around these regions too. As I continued to work and learn, I realized I didn't know enough about the legal side of development - and how corruption, lack of access to justice, poor services etc can impact social development so much. Therefore, I applied and was successful in getting into the United Nations University for Peace (UPEACE) in Costa Rica to study MA International Law and Human Rights. I was also successful in receiving a Rotary Global Grant Scholarship to support this study. Working with Rotary was also a huge opportunity for me as I was able to see development and peace work in action in Costa Rica too. During my MA I was also selected as a guest speaker at the United Nation headquarters in New York to speak at their 2017 Peace Day event for my work with the Peace Crane Project.

Throughout those years, many of my experiences also involved doing social media, fundraising and organizing events - which in short added to my skills in communications. So, I was please to work at UNICEF Cambodia in their comms team for five months at the end of 2017. Again, I was able to gain experience in community development but at the INGO & UN level, which was a big achievement. After that, I moved into my current role as Corporate Communications Manager at ISI GROUP, a private group of companies in Cambodia. This role is a sector move but I am happy to provide advice to our businesses CSR Foundation on their programs, head comms across 8 companies and 2000+ staff and act as a loud voice for gender equity and equality in our organization. I believe corporations have a role to play in international development and am happy to be working for a company that is leading the way in Cambodia.

Prior to UPEACE I also worked for Institute for Economics and Peace, and in 2018 I was awarded Young Woman of the Year for my work in global peace building.

What advice would you give to students in the same discipline you studied?
If you love it, commit to it and do it.

What challenges have you came across in your career, and how did you overcome them?
Five years ago a career in international development didn't seem viable and I found that some people didn't understand or see value in this path. Now however, it's clear that there are plenty of great career options. I think the biggest thing is being true to yourself and working hard to achieve your goals.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Social Science (Community Development)
2014