Work Overseas with International Organizations
by Kate Mason
Ever wondered who organizes relief efforts after natural disasters, or who tracks the world’s ever-growing population? The international organization field is a huge industry that provides jobs at countless organizations both domestically and abroad. Each has its own mission, whether it involves offering humanitarian aid or providing assistance to countries in financial crises.
The great thing about this industry is that you can have a successful career in almost any country, a fancy “corporate job” that doesn’t look out for its own financial success, but one that helps those in need and works towards global solutions. Sound good enough yet? The first step towards an international career can start as early as college. Many, if not most, of international organizations either prefer or require young hopefuls to have a specific major or concentration. It is worth looking into organizations that both interest you and match your qualifications as a potential candidate for employment.
International organizations can generally be broken up into two categories, governmental organizations (GOs) or nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). GOs refer to organizations run and funded by the government, such as the United Nations. NGOs are privately held groups that take worldwide action without the participation of any government.
The U.S. Department of State is a great place to start your search for the right agency for you. The State Department offers 1,000 internships every year which allow students from high school to the post-graduate level to participate in international projects involving U.S. foreign policy. Internships are either offered abroad or in Washington D.C. Visit http://www.state.gov/p/io/empl/ to find links to lengthy lists of organization contact information as well as employment information and benefits. The website lists the following as typical benefits of working at a governmental organization:
• Competitive Salary
• Generous Health Benefits Plan
• Attractive Pension Plan
• Education Grant for Dependents (including college — 4 years)
• Generous Leave
• Home Leave Travel Costs
• Relocation Costs
• Holidays (10+)
The following websites and profiles will get you started in your search, but only represent a few of the leading companies that offer international work. It should be noted that many of the larger and better known organizations have strict requirements for potential employees as well as interns. The determined will not only find an exciting challenge, but an endless list of world friendly acronyms (e.g. IMF, UNICEF) that may be home to their future international career.
World Health Organization (WHO)
www.who.int
The WHO is a specialized U.N. organization that is the coordinating authority on global public health issues that combats disease and promotes general health to all people of the world. It works with member countries to provide health services, carry out campaigns, and to train care givers. WHO also promotes medical research in efforts to eradicate disease, collects relevant health data and sets standards of immunization. Internships are available to students enrolled in a graduate study program who have completed undergraduate work in the public health, medical or social field.
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
www.unicef.org
UNICEF’s mission is to promote and protect the health and well-being of children around the world. The group reports to the United Nations (UN) General Assembly and is committed to ensuring special protection for the most disadvantaged children who are victims of war, disasters, extreme poverty, all forms of violence and exploitation and those with disabilities. UNICEF also promotes the equal rights of women and girls and supports their full participation in the political, social and economic development of their communities. In order to participate in the internship program, students applying must be enrolled in a graduate or post-graduate institution in a field that relates to activities of UNICEF. Applicants must be fluent in English as well as another one of the six official languages of the U.N, i.e. French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian or Chinese.
World Trade Organization (WTO)
www.wto.org
The WTO’s purpose is to deal with the rules of trade between nations around the world. The WTO drafts trade agreements that are negotiated, signed and authorized by the majority of the world’s trading nations. The fundemental purpose of this organization is to settle trade dispute and promote international trade and economic development. Internship programs are competitive requiring students to have completed their undergraduate studies in a relevant discipline (e.g. economics, law, political science, international relations), and at least one year of postgraduate study. Interns chosen are between the ages of 21 and 30 and must be from one of the 153 member’s nations that make up the WTO.
United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
www.undp.org
The UNDP is the U.N.’s global development network that employs 7,000 employees in 166 different countries with an annual budget in the billions. It comes as no surprise that it is the world’s largest source of grant funding for development initiatives throughout the globe. UNDP’s focus is helping countries build and share solutions to the challenges of democratic governance, poverty reduction, crisis prevention and recovery, environment and energy, and HIV/AIDS. Currently UNDP works towards helping countries achieve the Millennium Development Goals (eight development related goals) that 189 U.N. member countries are striving to reach by 2015. Internship requirements include being enrolled in graduate study in a field relating to development and a genuine interest in development and other cultures.
–Keep in mind jobs for GOs and NGOs are not necessarily limited to a specific field. Despite their primary focus, all are in need of administrative assistance, human resources, finance, legal administrators and technical assistance as well as engineers, statisticians and even public relations coordinators. So if you’re a communications or history major looking to work for a world development group, don’t sweat it. Be informed, be confident, and contact organizations for more information.
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