Establishing a meaningful career abroad takes a targeted education, a plan of action, dedication and, of course, hard work. Six professionals with proven international experience share a behind-the-scenes look at their jobs.
Careers for GLOBETROTTERS
TRAVEL TIME AND LIFESTYLE: Carmichael travels to field offices about twice a year for three to four weeks at a time.
WHAT YOU NEED TO GET INTO IT: Carmichael holds a post-graduate certificate in International Project Management from Humber College. Technical specialists like water engineers and medical per- sonnel are in high demand, and even specialists like project coordinators, nutritionists and gender specialists can find positions. To get a full-time job, you’ll need field experience such as an internship.
NAME: Todd Carmichael
OCCUPATION: Development Work— Programme Manager
AGE: BASED: 30
Canada, with two months each year in Africa (Ethiopia, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda)
Toronto-based Todd Carmichael is the pro- gramme manager for Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief (CPAR), a non-profit organization work- ing in Africa to foster healthier communities in impoverished areas. In a previous job, Carmichael travelled to places like Brazil and Mali. This started him thinking about the challenges people are facing across the globe, and prompted him to want to play a role in empowering communities to improve their situations.
22 : verge RESOURCE SERIES
THE PERSONALITY FACTOR: Most important is flex- ibility—this could mean working with colleagues in different time zones, shifting strategies due to changing political situations abroad or even moving to a foreign country. Within the develop- ment field there are many different roles requiring many different personalities: working in an emer- gency context requires very different skills than working on longer-term projects.
THE DAY-TO-DAY GRIND: Carmichael tracks pro- ject progress, writes reports and collaborates with other NGOs. He supports his colleagues in Ethiopia, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda.
HIS SHINING MOMENT: “Here at home, I’m able to see colleagues help to improve people’s under- standing of global issues and the ways in which they can help to support change. With my over- seas colleagues, I’m able to see incredibly skilled individuals design and implement programmes that literally changes people’s lives.”
THE TOUGH STUFF: Meeting deadlines takes a lot of planning when you’re working with colleagues overseas. Your work may be constrained by things that are difficult to change—like the priorities of the general public and our government. Also, development work has become increasingly popular and competitive, and many jobs are only offered on a contract basis.
THE MONEY FACTOR: Jobs with organizations like UN agencies (UNICEF, WFP, etc.) or government agencies offer competitive salaries. NGOs tend to be more constrained financially, although some larger organizations pay well. At the beginning of your career, expect to earn less than you would in the private sector.
OTHER OPTIONS IN THE FIELD: Rupen Das, co-ordin- ator for the International Project Management programme at Humber College, says that there are a number of fields that graduates tend to go into such as relief work, advocacy jobs, eco- tourism, consulting and more.
WORDS OF WISDOM: “Working in this field has its challenges, but it can also give you the oppor- tunity to see some amazing successes and the beginning of significant change… [A career in development work] has its ups and downs, so do your best to be prepared for both.”
FOCUS ON : Working Abroad
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