About EDUCA SWISS

What brought you to EDUCA SWISS?

I started studying international relations with the desire to work in development cooperation. However, I quickly realised that what I was learning was too far removed from the concrete situation of each individual. So I switched to the “front line” and completed a degree in social work at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences. At the same time, I worked mainly with young adults. This taught me a lot about the importance of intrinsic motivation and people’s needs. Almost every day I asked myself: What can I do to help my counterpart take control of their situation and, ideally, improve it? I am a firm believer in the concept of helping people to help themselves.

Before I was allowed to take over the management of EDUCA SWISS, I gained important experience working with volunteers and coaching other social workers. My profile was therefore an ideal match for the existing expertise of the team and the Foundation Board, which is heavily involved in operations. Source and more at: https://www.fundraiso.ch/de/blog/interview-mit-simon-merki-geschaeftsfuehrer-der-stiftung-educa-swiss

What do you like to do best when you’re not working for EDUCA SWISS?

Camping trips with my daughter (1 year old) and my partner, preferably on unknown trails somewhere in the middle of nowhere. And if there’s not enough time, walks in the countryside.

What was your most inspiring experience at EDUCA SWISS?

So many! But above all, the positive feedback and letters of thanks to the entire EDUCA SWISS team from candidates who have successfully completed their training.

What is your favourite thing to do when you’re not working for EDUCA SWISS?

My favourite thing is to be out in nature with my Lakeland terrier Fina, whatever the weather. Whether on foot, by bike, on a stand-up paddleboard or with snowshoes.

What role has education played for you personally?

It’s important to me to continue my education after my studies, to learn new things and to develop myself. And that’s why I really enjoy working at EDUCA SWISS, because it gives me the opportunity to do just that.

What has been your most unusual job so far?

Purserette on a cruise ship in the Caribbean. An experience of its own kind.

What role has education played for you personally?

It opened many doors, broadens my horizon and is part of my happiness in life.

What is your motto in life?

Learning something new every day, no matter how small.

Project Coordinator Coaching

Why is promoting education and equal opportunities so important to you?

I am the first in my family to go to university. Due to a lack of support, I financed part of my studies with a student loan. It is only thanks to this degree that I can stand here today and say that I have arrived in my career and I am happy. I know from my own experience how important education is for social advancement and the difficulties and hurdles you have to overcome in the educational and professional world because of your background. Through my work, I want to help people who cannot afford to pursue their dreams of education or training, so they can live a happy and fulfilling life in their chosen profession. In this way I would like to contribute to more equal opportunities.

What was your most unusual job so far?

I worked as an exhibition hostess and promoter during my studies. I had the most boring job – as a “clicker” I spent three days counting how many people visited a particular conference room with a clicker in my hand. But I also had the coolest job – as a promoter for a major beer brand, I spent a day playing football and table football with customers outside a supermarket, barbecuing with them and giving away free beer.

What do you like to do best when you’re not at EDUCA SWISS?

I dance salsa, bachata and kizomba, so in my spare time you can find me either training, at a dance festival or at a party.

What has been your most inspiring experience with EDUCA SWISS?

It’s great when our candidates are able to complete their dream training programme with the help of EDUCA SWISS and express this in their thank-you emails to us. That makes me very happy and motivates me enormously.

Katharina Cuthbertson-Merki studied archaeology and German. She is the mother of four children in education and knows first-hand the needs and challenges of students and trainees. Katharina has worked for the Foundation since its inception, supporting candidates and scholarship holders. She has a complete overview of our day-to-day work.

What has been your most unusual job so far?

As an archaeology student during my year abroad in Edinburgh, I worked for a few weeks on an excavation in the Scottish Highlands. We were looking for Neolithic cup marks and traces of settlements. Unfortunately we were not very successful. But I have fond memories of working in the bog, in the wind, in high boots and yellow raincoats, and of the daily journey in the windy, rumbling jeep. I fell in love with the country and its people.

What do you like to do best when you are not working for EDUCA SWISS?

Kriens – Roteflue – Mülimäs – Kriens: On foot on Mount Pilatus, 800 metres in altitude, 15 km, 4.5 hours.

What was your most inspiring experience at EDUCA SWISS?

In the online diary of our DreamTeam mentoring programme, mentors share the activities, conversations, highlights and concerns of their meetings with their mentees.  Seeing how mentor and mentee grow together on their journey of discovery motivates me immensely and constantly reminds me of the importance of friendships and role models in our lives. 

What has been your most unusual job so far?

When I was a student, I worked at the kiosk in Basel Cathedral. However, my services at the kiosk were rarely in demand and I was often alone. I was able to immerse myself in the silence and majesty of the place and get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. That was great.

What subject could you talk about for hours?

My favourite subject is music. So I’d love to discuss your Spotify review of the year over a coffee – or two.

What role has education played for you personally?

Free and constant access to education has had a strong influence on my life. Attending secondary school, going to university, and even pursuing a doctorate was a privilege that I greatly appreciate. These opportunities have not only allowed me to follow my curiosity, but also to actively contribute to answering open questions and to travel the world. I am eternally grateful for that.

Why is promoting education and equal opportunities so important to you?

Education is of central importance for the full development of the human personality. That is why there must be fairness when it comes to access. Also, as a society, we cannot afford to leave some of us by the wayside.

What topic could you spend hours discussing?

Character development, plot developments, and twists in books and series. If you celebrate d’Artagnan or think GoT should have ended after season 5, you’re in my good books.

What has been your most unusual job so far?

When I was a teenager, I conducted interviews with prominent Swiss personalities for the parenting magazine “Fritz und Fränzi”. Among others, I interviewed Joel Basman, Anna Rossinelli and 77 Bombay Street. I travelled around Switzerland a lot to earn some pocket money.

What role has education played for you personally?

Education opens your eyes to areas of interest and makes you curious about certain topics. I think it helps you find your way in the complex world we live in.

What do you like to do when you’re not working for EDUCA SWISS?

I like to make small pieces of furniture from wood.

What impresses you most about EDUCA SWISS?

The accessibility for everyone and the fact that we have such a big and positive impact on so many lives.

What is your motto in life?

“Do good and talk about it”. I think that’s why I enjoy working in communications for NGOs.

What has been your most unusual job so far?

I did a lot of jobs when I was a student. My most unusual job was working backstage for international bands on a houseboat in Lille, France. From helping with soundchecks and mixing cocktails behind the bar to fulfilling the band members’ crazy requests, it was a great combination of musical experience and varied work.

What convinces you most about EDUCA SWISS?
EDUCA SWISS is truly there to help. There are many people who don’t have wealthy parents who can finance their education. Many hesitate to start further education or studies for financial reasons, which can lead to dissatisfaction in life. EDUCA SWISS offers these people the support they need to realize their studies or further education.

What do you like to do most when you’re not working for EDUCA SWISS?
In my free time, I enjoy being in nature, doing things with friends, and pursuing my hobby, floristry.

What is your motto in life?
Take the step and try it. A ‘no’, a rejection or a failure won’t cause you any pain.