Socheat

Working at OIC Cambodia

Nov 30, 2016Socheat Nhip is the Project Manager at OIC Cambodia. Socheat facilitates inclusion training in communities and schools. Socheat started working with OIC Cambodia in August 2015 and has been an incredible asset to the team. We don’t know how we survived without her!We asked Socheat what it’s like to be part of the OIC team.How did you find out about OIC Cambodia?I started working with OIC a month after I graduated from university.I came on board to cover a staff member who was on sick leave at the time. In October 2015, I was offered the full-time position.Before working for OIC, I was completing my Masters Degree in Educational Administration in Thailand. I was also a volunteer with Pour un Sourire d’ Enfant and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), working as an assistant to National Office on Child Trafficking projects.Why do you think OIC’s work is important?OIC’s work is important to Cambodia in two mains ways:Firstly, OIC gives children with communication difficulties the chance to reach their full potential. This enables them to go to school, which many of them have never had the opportunity to experience before. Through the training we provide to teachers, we have raised awareness about students with communication difficulties in school. We encourage teachers to look for children’s strengths rather than making an assumption that children with disabilities are lazy.Secondly, we want to establish a university course in speech therapy. This enables Cambodians to get the service locally.What challenges do you often encounter at work?I have been working with OIC for a year so I’m still learning. Managing training is a new skill for me and I find it challenging. I’m still improving my skills in facilitating meetings and networking with people.How do you overcome this challenge?Confidence is important. I’m reading self-help books to learn more about people skills. I also ask advice from my mentors. My team is also there to encourage and assist me.Why do you like working for OIC?I value an organisation where I can use my knowledge and skills to their full potential, and enhance them. A good team spirit is also important for an ideal working place. And OIC is just that.I love to be a part of OIC because the working environment allows me to be independent. I’m free to express my opinions and seek feedback. For example, the team gives me full control and confidence to manage our training for the teachers. They are always ready to support me. The team gives me advice on how to implement project activities, like where to go for resources, who I should talk to or how much funds are available for the project.OIC invests a lot of time and effort in developing its staff members. I was introduced to relevant articles and books to help broaden my knowledge and skills. We also have professional development sessions running once per week for staff to share their knowledge with others. I receive valuable information transferred from my team through these sessions, as well as sharing with them the knowledge and skills that I uphold.Working at OIC is a great experience. It’s a place where all my work expectations are met. I’m satisfied.by Socheat Nhip