- Name: Mitch Hermansen
- Age: 29
- Current location: Toronto, Ontario
- Home town: Russell, Ontario
- Education: Bachelor of Commerce, Chartered Professional Accountant Designation.
- Current position: Finance Manager, Doctors Without Borders
- Organization description: Doctors Without Borders, also known as Medecins Sans Frontieres, is an humanitarian organization and international NGO that works in over 70 countries, providing health care, water, and sanitation.
- Bio: Mitch Hermansen's career path was clear - a degree in commerce, a CPA designation, and a job at a large accounting firm - but it didn't last for long. Looking to move out of the corporate world, he stumbled upon a Financial Manager position with Doctors Without Borders in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, and he jumped at the chance. After an incredible experience in Central Asia, he continues to marry his skills in finance with his interest in NGOs, working as a Finance Director and Development Manager for the Movember Foundation.
- Countries I've worked in: Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Canada
- Sector / subsectors: Business, Finance, International Development, Humanitarian
- Areas of expertise: Finance, Accounting, Public Speaking, Business Development
- Region: Asia
- Sector: Humanitarian, International development
- Degree subject: Accounting, Business & commerce
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Who are you, what's your role and what does it entail?
Meet Mitch Hermansen.
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Tell me about your career trajectory. How did get to where you are?
When it comes to a stable job in Kingston, Ontario or going to Uzbekistan - always choose Uzbekistan.
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What was an average day like?
Mitch had travelled to Kenya and Tanzania to climb Kilimanjaro, and taken trips to Australia and New Zealand before this, but Central Asia was a completely different world. Mitch talks to us about daily life, and gives us a break down of Uzbek handshake etiquette.
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What were some of your responsibilities in this role?
Four words: Suitcases full of money. Literally.
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You're from a small town outside of Ottawa, what was it like when you arrived in Uzbekistan? What were the challenges?
Nothing says "You need to learn Russian," quite like a glass of sour yogurt.
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How does someone get their foot in the door in this industry?
Education, networking, and facing your fears.
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You mentioned networking. What are the most common mistakes you see people make when it comes to that?
Pedestals don't belong anywhere but museums.
Tags: networking -
As someone who does have their accounting designation, how important has that been to your career? And is it worth getting?
You don't need necessarily need a CPA to work as a finance manager for Doctors Without Borders. But like it or not, little letters after your name count for instant credibility.
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What abilities and qualities does it take to succeed in this line of work?
People don't always work the same way you do.
