How Volunteering for Run Talk Run helped Kirsten land her dream job

If you’re sat with a 2022 goal to move your career into an entirely different industry, then volunteering in your chosen field can be a wonderful way to open the doors to more opportunities.

Kirsten Knappett led our RTR in Sydney through 2021 and has now found herself working in the mental health charity sector in her dream role.

This is her experience of getting involved with Run Talk Run…

Running along the bay in Melbourne I was listening to a podcast and heard about Run Talk Run for the first time. Originally from the UK it is quite common for me to listen to podcasts from back home – but this particular one got me thinking. I am at a stage in my life where I do want to give back to people, to my community.. and both running and mental health resonate with me.

It took me a few months and a move to Sydney to take the plunge and reach out to Jess at Run Talk Run – could Run Talk Run Australia be a thing? Could I set up the first one down under? After some initial chats – and introduction to a few other people in Sydney that were thinking the same thing - in early 2021 we set up 3 x Run Talk Runs and 1 x Walk Talk Walk in Sydney.

Like a lot of people I was pretty aware of the importance of mental health and the support that is – or isn’t – available for it however Run Talk Run really helped me realise this is something I strongly believe in and want to be part of the change.

After 20+ years working in the corporate world in London and Sydney running major projects I knew I needed to be brave and take that leap. A couple of months ago I made the move into the charity sector and now work for the only medical research institute in Australia that is investigating mental health across the lifespan. Their bold mission is to create a mentally healthier world for everyone and I couldn’t be prouder to play a small role in helping to make that happen.