Hazal Eylul Secilmis Sengul in Turkey
In this new blog series, I’d like to ask four questions to people from different countries, backgrounds, professions, and genders who have all one thing in common: volunteering. I hope you’ll get inspired by their journeys and take the leap into volunteering.
Notice: The positions, views and information contained published here are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily represent my views or opinions.
Hazal Secilmis was born in Istanbul. After graduating from economics, she has gained experience in banking sector and energy industry, respectively, at several positions. Then, she has started to work as managing partner in her company which specializes on vehicle inspection services in Turkey for 6 years. Aside from that, she pursues her doctoral degree on financial economics, currently focusing on thesis. she particularly enjoyed being active - interested in many sports, and always chase the opportunity to travel, read and learn more.
How did you begin to volunteer?
My volunteering journey has begun 5 years ago when I started to be donation projects volunteer at Turkey’s one of the oldest and prominent non-governmental foundations which focuses on educational support (in the form of scholarships) to the young students who need financial support to continue their education. Hereby, as I still continue to participate in this field, I have inspired by feeling of fulfilment that brought by making an influence within an organization which I share its vision and ideals. Afterwards, I decided to continue to devote myself and my spare time where I could make any difference. Now, I am actively volunteering on 3 different organizations - hoping to be expanded and diversified in the future.
Why did you continue volunteering?
Main driving force for me to continue volunteering is realizing that I, personally, could make an impact (towards people/children/community/nature/animals etc.). Most importantly, getting concrete and observable results motivates me to carry on each time. I believe that volunteering is exactly giving something about yourself, though, this leads to amplify your soul, cultivate your life goals and feed self-actualization motives.
How has volunteering helped you in your career?
To be honest, I do not see volunteering as a part of my career and I carefully try to allocate my personal time for volunteering. However, I experience many social and spiritual benefits of volunteering, including, meeting amazing and enthusiastic people, getting places that I haven’t been yet and hearing unusual and unlike stories from people that I could not have the chance to meet in my daily routine. This feeds my consciousness and enhances my social awareness. Thereby, volunteering improves my social and communication skills and I believe, inevitably, this reflects on my professional life.
Would you encourage other people to take up volunteering, and if so, why?
Sure! Volunteering develops and grows you, satisfies your persona, broadens your horizon and, at the end, it feels so good!
