From Admin Professional to Research Consultant - Here’s What I Have Learned

By: Augustine D Kamanda

In April 2013, with nothing but a high school certificate in my hand and a heart heavy from the loss of my father three years earlier, I stepped into my first professional role as an Enumerator in data collection for the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in Kailahun District, Sierra Leone. I had no degree, no fancy credentials, just a determination to build a future from the pieces life had handed me.

The months that followed took me to Koinadugu, working with Catholic Relief Services in May and June, going door to door, asking questions, recording answers, sometimes under the heavy rains, often in villages where the people had more urgent worries than data collection. Yet, I saw something deeper, the power of information to bring about change.

Back then, I never imagined that those first steps would lead me to a career where my work would help expand NGO programs and improve lives by reaching more beneficiaries. My journey was far from easy starting with just a high school certificate, navigating grief, and fighting to rise, but it is a testament to what passion, resilience, and learning can achieve.

If you’re at a point in your life where the road ahead seems uncertain or your role feels small, know this: your story is not insignificant. It can be the foundation for something greater. Mine certainly was.

Learning from the Ground Up

My career started with the fundamentals office coordination, data entry, scheduling, and managing communications. These tasks may seem minor in the grand scheme of things, but they built critical professional values: discipline, time management, attention to detail, and perhaps most importantly, people skills.

I began to notice patterns. The projects I supported succeeded when information was clear, data was well-managed, and everyone was on the same page. The connection between organization and impact became increasingly clear to me. That was my first lesson in research, although I didn’t know it at the time.

As I worked closely with field officers, M&E teams, Research Consultant and development practitioners, I became intrigued by their processes. They talked about “baseline assessments, focus group discussions, impact evaluation” terms I had never learned in school. I started asking questions, reading more, and offering to assist in any way I could on their research-related tasks.

Those were my first informal steps into the world of qualitative and quantitative research.

Training and Formal Education

Experience, while valuable, has its limits without structure. I knew I needed formal training to build credibility and competence. I began pursuing professional certifications and academic qualifications that would complement my experience and prepare me for a future in research and consulting.

I enrolled in:

• Google’s Project Management Certificate Program, where I mastered the fundamentals of initiating, planning, and managing real-world projects.

• Market Research Certification from the University of California, Davis, which deepened my understanding of research design, sampling, data collection methods, and reporting.

• Additional certifications in CRM, Entrepreneurship, and Negotiation to broaden my perspective.

Alongside that, I continued my undergraduate education in Business Administration. My goal was to develop a multidisciplinary profile that integrated administrative skills, research competence, and technical fluency.

Every course I took helped me connect the dots between theory and practice, and my ability to contribute meaningfully to development-focused research grew exponentially.

The Breakthrough: Real-World Research with Impact

With better skills came better opportunities.

I began supporting NGOs and international development organizations with survey design, field coordination, data collection, and analysis. One particular project stands out, a market research initiative conducted for an international NGO considering program expansion into a rural district.

The assignment involved:

• Conducting baseline surveys and stakeholder interviews

• Facilitating focus group discussions

• Synthesizing findings into actionable reports

• Recommending areas for scaling service delivery

Our findings revealed underserved communities with high unmet needs, strategic logistical entry points, and opportunities for cost-effective scaling. Based on the report, the NGO moved forward with program expansion, and within a year, the number of beneficiaries increased by 35%.

That was a turning point for me, not just professionally, but emotionally. It was the first time I saw how evidence-based decision-making could tangibly change lives. And I was part of making that happen.

Lessons Learned Along the Way

Every journey carries its share of lessons, some learned the easy way, many learned the hard way. Here are the most valuable takeaways from my path so far:

• No Skill Is Wasted:

  The ability to organize documents, manage schedules, and communicate clearly may seem basic, but these are the building blocks of larger competencies like project management, stakeholder engagement, and research administration. The key is to recognize value in every role you play.

• Curiosity Drives Growth:

  Asking questions, volunteering for new responsibilities, and staying curious opened doors I didn’t even know existed. Growth isn’t passive. It’s fueled by a desire to learn more and do better. Had I stayed within the strict confines of my job description, I wouldn't be where I am today.

• Professional Development Is an Investment

  Pursuing courses and certifications often meant sacrificing weekends, evenings, or even rest, but the return on investment was worth it. Knowledge builds confidence, and credentials build credibility. If you want to make the leap, prepare to put in the time.

• Data Is More Than Numbers

  Many people think of research as just collecting statistics. But good research tells a story, it uncovers needs, reveals gaps, and proposes solutions. I have learned to treat every dataset with the respect it deserves because behind each number is a real person with a real need.

• Impact Comes from Understanding Context

  Development work is complex. Solutions that work in one village may fail in another. That’s why research must be localized, inclusive, and participatory. Understanding cultural, social, and economic dynamics is just as important as running statistical tests.

Where I Am Today

Today, I serve as a Business Admin Professional, Skilled in Qualitative & Quantitative Research with a background in Project Management and CRM and Contributed to Market Research that informed an NGO’s program expansion, boosting beneficiary reach by 35%.

My work has impacted programs in Health, Education, Agriculture, and Livelihoods sectors that are vital to sustainable development in Sierra Leone and beyond. I also continue to freelance on Upwork, where I have supported clients globally in delivering timely, accurate, and actionable Executive Virtual Assistant Services.

What drives me now is the belief that knowledge can transform communities, when we listen to people, collect data ethically, and turn findings into action.

My Final Thoughts As Your Journey Matters Too!

If you’ve read this far, chances are you're reflecting on your own professional path. Perhaps you’re in an administrative role, unsure of your next step. Or maybe you’ve already started the transition into research, project management, or consulting.

Wherever you are, your journey matters. And it’s not just about where you’re going. It’s about the mindset you adopt and the lessons you learn along the way. Success doesn’t always look like a straight path. It often looks like detours, self-doubt, small wins, and quiet progress that eventually leads to big impact.

So here’s my advice:

• Start where you are

• Use what you have

• Keep learning

• Stay curious

• Believe in your potential

You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just need to keep moving forward.

Let’s Continue the Conversation

I’d love to hear your story too. What’s one lesson your professional journey has taught you? Feel free to share it in the comments or message me directly. Let’s inspire each other, because every journey is worth telling.