Brandon Charleston, education and development adviser, Raleigh

What do you do?

Over the next two years I am researching and evaluating the learning experience of young people on our overseas expeditions. People have life-enhancing experiences with Raleigh, and my role is to help them show those outcomes more explicitly, whether it be to an employer or for university or college entrance. I will help develop an award system that provides a meaningful recognition of learning experiences.

How did you get into this line of work?

I first became an advocate for Raleigh after being a participant in Chile in 1992. I had just finished my apprenticeship as an electrician and was picked by my company to go. The experience changed my outlook on life and expectations. I've gone from City & Guilds to a doctorate, and have been a volunteer manager three more times.

What are the challenges?

To evaluate the experience so that Raleigh participants have something concrete to take away from their expedition, and to do so without detracting from the whole experience. We do not want people deselecting themselves, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The assessment won't be a formal exam, but it must be meaningful.

How do you make a difference?

There has been a lot written about how young people leaving school lack leadership or interpersonal skills, so there is a gap that Raleigh fills. When they are being interviewed by an employer about what they have learned from international volunteering, the award will enable participants to record their voluntary achievements.

Will you be travelling with the job?

I will be going to India to talk to participants to better understand the expedition and how they feel about the concept of gaining further recognition from their volunteering. There's also the possibility of travel to Raleigh's bases in Borneo and Costa Rica as well as Raleigh's training site in Derbyshire.