Required: Advanced Degree

I have been looking for & applying for jobs in international aid or development for a few months now. I would estimate that 90% of the positions that I have looked for require an advanced degree. Having spoke with my contacts in the field, they are strongly recommending I go back to school and get my masters as well. For the last year I have worked for the American Red Cross in Denver, Colorado. Before that I was in the Marine Corps. I have traveled extensively and volunteered intensely with international organizations. However, my experience in leadership, management, logistics, operations, government relations, or non-profit administration will not get me the lowest job in international development. Ironically, I supervised four interns completing their masters degree from one of the top international studies schools this past year. For the most part they were supersaturated in theory & idealism. They have or will soon have jobs…

I have managed millions in assets, dozens of people dispersed over multiple cities, stabilized volatile relationships with stakeholders, & proven that I can work and thrive in difficult environments.

That was my rant; now I will apply for graduate school so that I can apply for an internship under the person who will take my position when I go back to school.

Oh the hoops we jump through to work in the areas we are passionate about….

2009
08/26
CATEGORY
American Red Cross
International Aid & Development
Non-Profit
TAGS





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  1. Best of luck to you my friend. What grad school’s are you looking at? I’m knocking around the grad school idea myself.

    • Jim
    • August 28th, 2009

    So sorry my friend. It shouldn’t be this way, but you’re smart in going back to school. Just remember, after you go through all these hoops and land the job of your dreams, don’t turn away some young bright-eyed protege just because they don’t have an advanced degree either!

  3. Jon, Thanks for checking out my site. I haven’t really started digging into schools. I still have to determine what I want to study! Im thinking about an MPA, Humanitarian Action, MPH, or maybe International Humanitarian Law. Who knows? I will take the GRE / LSAT then go from there

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