In today’s competitive digital world, breaking into remote work or even securing long-term employment without prior experience can seem like an uphill battle. 

After the pandemic, when businesses began to adopt the culture of working remotely, it gradually got saturated– I mean who wouldn’t want to work from the comfort of their homes?

Emmanuel Akyeam’s journey proves that with determination, learning, and strategic volunteering, incredible opportunities can unfold.

The Challenge: A Graduate in Search of Experience

Emmanuel is a talented young man based in Ghana. 

After he completed his first degree, he acquired a skill in Google’s e-commerce marketing to propel him further but didn’t have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience.

He heard so much about working remotely but struggled to get a remote job where he could apply his knowledge in a real-world setting until he discovered SkilledUp Life – a platform offering hands-on experience through volunteer roles.

A Life-Changing Opportunity

After registering on SkilledUp Life, Emmanuel applied for multiple volunteer opportunities and soon received an email from Victoria Howell-Takacs, Head of Operations at ChainyAcc, a Web3 company led by CEO Tamas Toth. 

Although he had only taken a few courses in SEO, ChainyAcc was looking for an SEO strategist.

Emmanuel saw this as an opportunity to get started on his career and was determined to make the most of it – if he eventually got in. 

He prepared so hard for the interview and impressed the team. Despite competing against candidates from different countries, ChainyAcc chose to work with him.

When he resumed duty as a volunteer in February 2023. He brought in his A- game bearing in mind it was not only an opportunity to enhance his skills but also to grow his network.

Leading as a Volunteer

There were six volunteers in the team who did their job casually but their results weren’t evident enough. Emmanuel took it upon himself to lead the group. With no monetary compensation initially, he focused on learning, networking, and proving his value.

It was quite challenging as Emmanuel hadn’t assumed a leadership role before, but he was dedicated to pulling through and getting results.

Speaking about his volunteer experience at our weekly X Space event, Emmanuel said:

“I had to psych my mind and resources, knowing that as an unemployed graduate, I would be doing this for three good months. Even if there wasn’t a job for me at the end, I would have learned something valuable.”

After completing his three-month volunteer term, Emmanuel continued with ChainyAcc. His role expanded beyond SEO to include digital marketing campaigns, content optimization, and Web3 content creation. His work directly impacted ChainyAcc’s growth, making its website more discoverable and its marketing more effective.

Lessons for Volunteers

Emmanuel’s journey didn’t stop there. The experience and skills he gained at ChainyAcc attracted global attention. Companies from Florida, India, Australia, Egypt, Dubai, and even within Ghana have reached out to work with him. 

Today, he collaborates with an Australian company and a Ghanaian company, applying the knowledge and expertise he gained at ChainyAcc.

While reflecting on his journey at our weekly X Space event, Emmanuel said he understood how challenging volunteering can be, but had this bit of advice to share:

“To those volunteering, don’t give up. Challenges will come. At one point, my laptop broke, and I had to borrow a friend’s phone just to communicate with my team. Always stay committed and transparent. Your dedication will open doors you never expected.”

Follow these tips to make the most out of your SkilledUp Life volunteering experience.

Who knows, opportunities can come knocking sooner than you think, just like it did for Emmanuel.

A Testament to the Power of Volunteering

From an unemployed graduate struggling to apply his skills to a sought-after SEO specialist working with multiple international companies, Emmanuel’s story showcases the power of SkilledUp Life’s volunteer experience. 

His journey shows how dedication, proactiveness, and resilience can turn a volunteer role into a thriving career.

For those wondering whether volunteering with SkilledUp Life is worth it—Emmanuel’s story is proof that it can change your life.

This article was written by Ezinne Agbai, a SkilledUp Life copywriter.