Six lessons from my six months AIESEC experience

As I contemplated how to write this article and what I wanted my main focus to be, I couldn’t resist the urge to search for other people’s AIESEC experiences. I was mind-blown by the different milestones people have been able to achieve in their lives, credit to their AIESEC experience. I also realised that I resonate with the experiences of many other AIESECers worldwide.

I joined the youth-run organisation in April 2022. My journey began with the application process, which was exciting and required effort coupled with introspection. I had to do personality tests and answer questions about myself that required a certain level of self-awareness, one of AIESEC’s leadership qualities. Here are the greatest lessons I have attained from my six months in AIESEC:

Personal branding

In AIESEC, you must learn to tell your story, speak your truth confidently and believe in yourself. From the member application process to applying for leadership roles and Organizing Committee roles, you’ll have to explain why you think you are best suited for the position. The journey doesn’t stop there; every step is a chance to see what you are made of, your strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities.

Taking Responsibility

Once I became a member, I joined Talent Management portfolio; I was assigned a role and given job descriptions (JDs). I got to realise that neglecting my tasks means failing my entity. In AIESEC, everyone has a role to play, and the entire entity is counting on you to deliver and isn’t that the essence of life? Taking Ownership and realising you are in control of the kind of life you experience.

You must also take responsibility for your AIESEC experience by actively applying for roles. Passivity results in stagnation, and you’ll be left wondering why your experience didn’t match up to the stories you heard. In filling out the application booklets, you get to learn, look within and get out of your comfort zone. Filling out the first booklet wasn’t a walk in the park. I had to call my LCVP to consult. When the review results came, I wondered if I was best suited for the job. However, every opportunity presents a chance for growth. It’s in AIESEC that I have seen that your results are directly proportional to the efforts you put in. To achieve anything worthwhile, you have to invest in it fully.

Financial management

Let me spill the beans; you need money to have the whole AIESEC experience. Numerous activities and conferences play a critical role in your AIESEC journey. Failure to have good financial planning will make you miss out. I have leant to save diligently and find other income streams, all due to being in AIESEC. I advise anyone joining AIESEC to have an AIESEC finance kit where you consistently save for the AIESEC opportunities and experience. The upside is that these conferences will allow you to build a network, learn, grow and have fun with other AIESECers.

Expectation Setting

When I joined AIESEC, I learnt about the four disciplines of Execution from my LCVP. I had to look for the book because of how insightful the session was. Having a clear WIG (Wildly Important Goal) is critical in the whirlwind of the many activities to ensure the organisation's smooth running. This lesson also applies to your personal life; you need to work towards a goal that will have maximum impact. When I applied for my first OC role, I had to come up with KPIs and MOS. I didn’t know what they were, but now I know, thanks to my OC manager. If you don’t, just do a short google search.

Team Work

“If you want to move quickly, walk alone; If you want to go far, walk with others.” AIESEC has taught me to work in a team to achieve great results. Being accountable to my LCVP and TM members keeps you in check. You also get a pool of individuals who have gone before you that you can consult on the various tasks and challenges.

Planning

AIESEC is an organisation run by young people, and you get to experience the entire work environment while still doing your day-to-day activities. There are meetings every other week, tasks to deliver on, conferences to attend, and planning events and activities. Without a strong ‘why’, you may get lost. I had to learn how to plan, manage time, and work smart.

“To achieve a goal you’ve never achieved before, you must do things you’ve never done before.” - The 4 Disciplines of Execution: Achieving Your Wildly Important Goals, by Chris McChesney

AIESEC offers a chance for growth, learning and unlearning. The journey is not easy, but it’s worth all the hype.