Mohamed Ahmed is a passionate and driven social change advocate, whose commitment to constantly learning and ability to think in different ways make him a natural leader and innovator - and a perfect fit for our Social Change Leadership program! In addition to his work on our Organisational Development and Partnerships teams, Mohamed has been playing a key leadership role in the design and development of our very exciting Legal Needs Research project, the first community-designed research project of its kind looking into, and addressing, barriers to justice affecting migrant and refugee communities in Victoria. (Watch this space!)
You can find out more about the incredible work Mohamed is doing with the other Changemakers by following us on Facebook or Instagram (@changemakerscollective).
Find out a little bit more about Mohamed in this quick Q&A below (conducted by fellow Social Change Leadership participant, Archna Yadav).
Describe yourself in five words
Driven, hard-working, compassionate, trustworthy, and reliable.
What made you decide to study Criminal Justice?
I have always been fascinated with criminology and psychology. Also, my dad works for the government as an interpreter. I have observed and know about the challenges people face when migrating from a different country. Studying a Bachelor of Criminal Justice seemed perfect to better understand the system and processes involved.
What is the social issue you are the most passionate about? If you could do anything to solve this social ill, what would it be?
I am passionate about working with young offenders and in rehabilitation, specifically, assisting young people to turn their lives around. I know this is a big one to tackle but I think that by taking a holistic approach and understanding each aspect of the young person’s life, there’s a lot you can do to make an impact.
What career path do you see yourself taking after graduation?
I am interested in working within the youth justice department but also would not mind working with the courts or drug counsellors and working closely with the community.
What did you want to be when you grew up (as a kid)?
I wanted to be a pilot as I was obsessed with planes as a kid.
What is the biggest adventure/highlight of the past few years?
My biggest highlight so far is travelling to America and meeting family members who I had not met before.
What is your leadership style?
Being the eldest child in the family and having those additional responsibilities has helped me develop my leadership skills. I have learnt to understand other people better and motivate them to achieve their goals.
If you could give yourself advice back in the day, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self not to overwhelm myself. I am human and there are limits to what I can do. I would tell my younger self that it is okay to take time off when you need.
What do you love/like about yourself the most and why?
I like my competitive spirit. It helps me motivate myself to work hard.
One thing people often misunderstand about you.
I have been told that I am too nice. I come across as someone who is not firm but I do not think that is true. I like being helpful, but I know where to draw the line.