CAREER GUIDANCE FROM MONICA CURCA, SOCIAL AND BEHAVIOUR CHANGE COMMUNICATION PRACTITIONER BASED IN LOS ANGELES, USA

Follow Monica on Twitter: [ @MonicaCurcaPAX ]

1. What qualities do you look for in the people you hang out with?

 I look for someone with passion, curiosity and open mindedness. 

 

2. What do you do?

I am a peace-builder and communications specialist. I am currently working as the Communications Manager and Restorative Justice Community Organizer for a local community-based NGO, in addition I am a consultant for peace-building and social impact organizations helping them with strategic communications, experiential learning and peace-building.

3. Why do you do what you do?

I have a passion to help tell the story of those that have not been heard, I want to augment and amplify those voices. Mostly I do the work I do to shift the dominant narrative towards peace.  

4. Is this where you thought you would end up?

I take everyday as it comes - more recently I have been envisioning where I want to “end up” I think it's better to prepare yourself and make yourself available but always be ready for what might be.  

5. What values are you committed to?

I am committed to community, peace, justice, compassion

 

6. How many hours do you work in a typical week?

50-60 hours

 

7. What skills are required in your position on a day-to-day basis?

Technical: Design, media strategy, writing, editing photography among others. 

8. Are there any negatives to your job?

If you want to go far ahead of the people you serve you might lose them. Innovation is great but not everyone is there yet. 

9. What do you wish you knew at our stage? (IE: Entry-level SBCC practitioners)

That you need to bring SBCC into every space. It's an organizing and strategic planning model as much as it is a communications strategy. It is useful in all areas. 

10. What is the best piece of professional advice you've ever received -- and used or implemented?

"If you wanted applause you should have joined the circus"… it keeps you grounded

 

11. If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?

Every experience makes us who we are.  I would however worked harder to remember that I have something valuable to contribute and advocate for myself even when it felt like the tide was against me. 

12. What should keep entry-level SBCC enthusiasts up at night?

The big issues and problems that we can solve. 

13. What professional organizations are you associated with, and in what ways?

I focus on SBCC for Peace and International Development and thus I am connected with peacebuilder organizations like the Alliance for Peacebuilding. However, I found WACC to have great information. I am also part of social marketing associations.

 

14. What mistakes have you made?

I let others define who I was.

 

15. What one thing do you still struggle with?

The saying “the first revolution is internal” is very relevant. We must first strive to transform ourselves and our outlook before and during this type of work … sometimes I fail at this. 

16. What traits impress you the most in a working professional, irrespective of their area of expertise?

Humble leadership, I respect people who keep their eye on the prize and are not easily bought and sold. 

 

17. What are the top 7 technical skills that entry-level SBCC enthusiasts should strive to horn?

•  Analysis,
• Asking the right questions,
• Research and understanding context,
• Strategic priority,
• Excavating positive deviance,
• Collaboration,
• Having a clear vision of the outcome and working to get there.

18. Considering all the people you have met in your line of work, what personal attributes are essential for success?
Kindness and perseverance -- as they say, people may not remember what you did for them, but they will remember how you made them feel.

 

19. What's the best advice you can give to help plan a career rather than simply work to keep a job?

Don't give up.

20. What has been your most rewarding accomplishment?

 I have rediscovered my calling and vision for my work … this positive energy has propelled me into some great successes. Myself along with coalition partners across California just won a bill that became a Law which requires police to document who they stop. This law will curb racial profiling. This sort of ecological model systems change required all sorts of behavioral change, attitude change and shifting of beliefs as knowledge increased. It was a great accomplishment for us as it will literally affect millions of people and curb racial profiling by law enforcement for communities of color in California. 

21. What developments in the horizon could affect future career opportunities in this field?

We need to find ways to include and enhance SBCC into every field. 

 

 END//