JCU Welcomes Amnesty International Representatives at Career Fair
On April 12, the Career Services Center invited two Amnesty International representatives to the Spring Career Fair: Anna Guglielmi (Digital Fundraiser), and Donatella Guarnori (HR Manager). Guarnori met with students, while Guglielmi gave a talk on how to break into the nonprofit field and inspire others to make a difference. JCU’s STAND also had the opportunity to meet with Guglielmi and Guarnori and to gather further information about Amnesty and its impact today.
STAND’s mission is to raise awareness on human rights violations and social issues and advocate for marginalized groups. This message is carried out through practical activities, from event organization, to fundraising, to raising awareness. Each semester, STAND organizes several volunteer opportunities and other initiatives.
Donatella Guarnori was impressed with the level of experience STAND members had already acquired in the human rights field. Guarnori, who studied at an Italian university in Rome, said that she was “pleasantly surprised” to discover a different reality at an American university, with students involved in clubs and extracurriculars. “The representatives of STAND impressed me with all of the activities they carry out and the level of specificity of the tasks they perform,” Guarnori said.
Anna Guglielmi, who works with student movements such as feminist, eco-feminist, LGBTQ groups, and geographic minorities, shared her outlook regarding the future of the field of human rights work and how young people can impact it. She said that the new generations make her hopeful about the future of human rights awareness.
“Younger generations have a more enhanced sensitivity regarding human rights violations, are proactive, and know how to employ language to achieve the maximum impact on society,” explained Guglielmi.
Guglielmi also gave guidance to students who are considering entering the field of human rights work in organizations like Amnesty International but are intimidated by the complexity of the field. She said that the best way to weather the complicated world of human rights is to be curious, and open to dialogue, as well as to be passionate about the human rights mission.
There is a common misconception that work in the human rights field is not a ‘real job’ that can lead to a long-term career. While this can be discouraging for students, Guglielmi’s advice was not to lose interest in the field because of this belief.
“We are workers with our own specificities and professionalism. We are prepared for what we do, each in our own role, and we are compensated accordingly,” Guglielmi said. She encouraged students to pursue their goals in the field because enthusiasm for the work pays off and it can be an extremely rewarding job.
