Global development can be an exciting and rewarding career. Those who are driven by social impact and purpose often look at the work being done in this sector and dream of being able to make the switch from their current career path to one in global development.
The global development landscape is evolving and the definition of what makes a global development organization or professional is expanding. The role of business in development has progressed from a niche sub-sector to a critical must-have, streamlined across the work of global development organizations and businesses alike. So, while they may not think of themselves as development professionals, many people working in industries such as high tech, infrastructure, design or even within large corporations are getting involved in what is essentially development work.
The expansion of the sector is opening up more opportunities for professionals from a variety of backgrounds to leverage their skills and experience for a global development career. In fact, in a recent survey looking at hiring trends in the industry, 92 percent of recruiters believe there will be a similar or greater interest in candidates with a nontraditional background.
About the author
Kate Warren@KateDWarren
Kate Warren is the Executive Vice President and Executive Editor of Devex, where she leads a global team of journalists, event producers, and communications and marketing professionals to drive conversations around the most pressing and urgent issues of our time, including climate, global health, food security, philanthropy, humanitarian crises, and foreign aid funding. Through live journalism — via in-person and virtual events — along with insider news, analysis, podcasts, content series, and special reports, Kate and her team ensure the most important ideas, voices, and debates reach an influencer audience to drive impact and make progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.
