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The goal of international development is
to alleviate poverty among the citizens of developing countries.
Strategies for improvement include investment in the economic, political
and social arenas. Economic development ranges from the creation
of sound macro economic and fiscal policy to the fostering of small-
medium enterprise to the introduction or expansion of microfinance.
It also involves identifying and creating the necessary infrastructure,
energy, transportation, and sanitation for economic growth. Political
development focuses on the creation and fostering of good governance,
including transparent financial systems, an independent judiciary
and active participation of civil society. Social development focuses
on the improvement of health, education and social safety net. Each
of the areas is interrelated and interdependent. International development
is literally a global topic and professionally a highly multidisciplinary
field.
College graduates who are interested in exploring
the field may seek entry-level positions in a NGO with a development
mission or in a development consulting firm. Such a position will
likely involve administrative support (backstopping) in the US headquarters.
Opportunities for international travel and experience are likely
to be very limited. Graduates with a strong commitment to a career
in development are well-advised to consider enrolling in the Peace
Corps or to seek other extensive overseas experience in a developing
country for at least two years before entering graduate school.
International experience will provide context for graduate study
and for discussion with prospective employers. The field is characterized
by fluidity and high travel demands. A significant proportion of
development professionals will work in at least two of the three
sectors, public, private and not-for-profit over the course of their
careers. Many professionals travel as much as forty percent of the
time.
Candidates with a master’s degree will enter US
government service GS9, through the PMI or Foreign Service, Agencies
may offer a salary of FS 10 or 11 to direct hires with considerable
previous experience. Median salaries at intergovernmental organizations
fall in the low $50s, at NGOs in the mid-$40s and at development
consulting firms in the low $60s.
As more than one billion people live on less than$1
a day, the imperative to address global poverty is ever present.
Opportunities for careers in development are extensive in all sectors.
However, competition for positions in the leading IGOs is fierce,
as these organizations seek and recruit qualified candidates world-wide.
Selection may require choosing one among several hundred qualified
applicants and commonly takes 6-9 months to complete. Overwhelmingly
new graduates seek and find positions in national government or
with private and nonprofit employers.
A graduate degree is essential to pursue a career
in international development. A master’s program with a strong applied
curriculum is valuable. Sound training in economics and public administration,
including policy monitoring and evaluation may be broadly applied.
Also given the interdisciplinary nature of the field, joint degrees
or consecutive training in related disciplines, e.g. law and economics,
health and economics are strong credentials. An MBA may be applied
in development of the private sector, banking and finance.
In addition to graduate training, employers seek
fluency in at least two languages. As mentioned above, experience
in one or more developing countries is important. Graduate students
are advised to expand their international experience during the
summer between the first and second year of their program through
and internship. UN agencies, multi-lateral development banks, government
agencies and NGOs all offer such opportunities.
Careers in International Affairs by Marie Pinto Carland, Lisa A. Gihring, Editors. Published by Georgetown University Press.
“Global Work, Interaction’s Guide to Volunteer, Internship and Fellowship Opportunities” Edited by Shanta M. Bryant and Tienne McKenzie. Published by Interaction (2000).
“Interaction Member Profiles 2002-03” edited by Shanta M. Bryant and Marie Campos.
“International Jobs, Where They Are and How to Get Them” by Eric Kocher, Nina Segal . Published by Perseus (1999).
Monday Developments Interaction’s biweekly newsletter on international humanitarian developments, issues and trends.
“State of the World 2002, A Worldwatch Institute report on Progress Toward a Sustainable Society” edited by Lester Brown, Christopher Flavin, Hilary French. Published by WW Norton & Co. 2002.
World Development Report 2003, Sustainable Development in a Dynamic World a compilation of the World Bank and OUP2003.
Intergovernmental organizations (IGOs)
African Development
Bank
Asian Development
Bank
Inter-American Development
Bank
International Monetary
Fund
The World Bank
United Nations
United Nations Development
Programme
UNICEF
World Food Programme
United States Government
Federal Reserve – New York
Department of Energy
Department of State
United State Agency
for International Development (USAID)
Development
Consulting Firms Abt Associates Inc.
Chemonics
Development Alternatives
Inc.
Environmental Resources
Management
John Snow International
Inc.
Nathan Associates
Research Triangle Institute
(RTI)
Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Accion International
Ashoka
Asia Foundation
CARE USA
Catholic Relief Services
International Foundation
for Election Systems
Management Sciences
for Health
National Democratic
Institute
Oxfam USA
Partners of the
Americas
Population Services
International
Save the
Children
Winrock International
World Learning
World Wildlife Fund
Foundations, Policy Institutes
Bank Information
Center
Brookings
Carnegie Endowment
for International Peace
Center for Strategic
and International Studies
Earthwatch
Environmental Defense
Ford Foundation
Heritage Foundation
Rockefeller
Foundation
Worldwatch Institute
Association of Women
in Development
Global Development
Research Center
Grameen Foundation
Interaction,
the American Council for Voluntary International Action
Women’s Environmental
and Development Organization
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Internships |
Full-Time |
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Pre-academic
year summer |
Research organizations
of interest and note deadlines for on and off campus recruiting deadlines
Get on various international
development related list serves
Draft resume and cover
letters |
Craft resume and cover
letters
Inform CDO of interest
in international development
Get on various international
development related list serves
Continue to establish
communication with organizations of interest |
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September |
Attend Net Impact (DBL)
and various international club meetings
Audit classes or attend
seminars in the International Relations Department
Inform CDO of interest
in international development
Revise cover letters and
resume
Identify and network with
alums and second years involved with international development |
Attend Net Impact (DBL)
and various international club meetings
Audit classes or attend
seminars in the International Relations Department
Revise cover letters and
resume
Attend campus presentations
Develop contacts at firms
that do not recruit on campus
Drop resumes |
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October
& November |
Revise cover letters and
resume
Attend campus presentations
Develop contacts at firms
that do not recruit on campus |
Update CDO on progress
and meet with people to refine strategy based on interview feedback |
|
December
through March |
Meet with CDO to refine
personal story and interview skills
Establish communication
with organizations of interest |
Meet with CDO to refine
personal story and interview skills |
|
April |
Review outstanding offers
with CDO and negotiate terms
Identify staffing manager/mentor
at the organization where offer is accepted and start developing a relationship
– this will help you land a great summer project! |
Review outstanding offers
with CDO and negotiate terms
Identify a mentor at the
organization where offer is accepted and start developing a relationship |
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May |
Network with key contacts
and alums. |
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Post-academic
year summer |
Network with key contacts
and alums
Evaluate whether experience
meets expectations. Is international development for you? Do you
want to return to the organization? The CDO is available to help you
with these considerations |
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mba.yale.edu
