How to get your global development career off to a good start

Landing a job in global development is tough, and the first few years of your career may also be very challenging as you learn what it means to work in this particular sector. Paths to a career in this competitive sector often involve balancing a weekend job with a full-time internship before spending months, or even years, overseas to gain the field experience that will allow you to specialize or move up the career ladder. While this career can be quite demanding, it can also be very rewarding. We spoke with early career development professionals to hear their advice for others trying to get their development career off to a good start. Be willing to work for free Getting your foot in the door in global development can be tough, and before you land an entry-level position with any organization, chances are you will have to prove your worth volunteering or interning for little or no money. Almost everyone in the global development sector has served their time as an intern, either working in the home office or overseas. While there is no guarantee of a job at the end of it, many employers will try to use this opportunity to assess your fit within the organization and start training you for a future role. Be prepared to work for free — but see it as a worthwhile investment of your time that could lead you to an entry-level position. No such thing as ‘office hours’ Professionals working in global development tend be motivated less by salaries and more by a desire to improve the lives of people and communities around the world. In many cases this dedication — combined with a need to keep donors happy and projects running with minimal resources — means working overtime to get things done. Long hours and late nights can be expected, by both field and home office staff, to get proposals and reports submitted to donors on time. Early career professionals who are willing to go the extra mile or take on extra tasks — no matter how administrative or seemingly mundane — will likely find themselves progressing more quickly within their organization. Be flexible Particularly when working with small organizations that are pressed for resources, your daily and weekly tasks may involve much more than your job description implied. You should be willing to be flexible in taking on extra responsibilities and contributing to the work of other teams when necessary. If you are with an organization that also works in emergencies, priorities can change quickly and require all staff to chip in and assist with the emergency and disaster response efforts. This could be anything from taking calls from sponsors, helping with fundraising efforts, organizing media events and making travel arrangements for emergency response staff. You should values these opportunities to gain additional experience and learn more about the work of other programs in the sector. Find yourself a mentor You can learn a lot from more experienced colleagues. Having someone you can rely on for support and wisdom can be extremely valuable to your professional success. Some organizations do run mentor programs, but this doesn’t have to be a formal relationship. Drawing on the experiences of more senior staff can help you in your crisis moments. Mentors should also challenge and encourage you. Be open to criticism Formal review processes are a part of almost all jobs and, while they can be daunting, you should see them as an opportunity for professional growth and development. A manager or team lead sharing constructive criticism means they see potential in you and want to help you grow. Listening and absorbing their evaluations and learning from your mistakes, even if it makes you uncomfortable, will ultimately progress your career more quickly. Don’t wait for formal review periods to ask for feedback, either. Approach your work with a spirit of constantly improving. Also, talk openly with your supervisor about ways you feel they could better support you. Take a proactive approach to learning The early years of your career will involve a lot learning on the job, but you should continue to look out for training courses or online certifications to develop your skillset. Employers will often pay for professional development if you can demonstrate how these new skills can be of value to the organization. With a demand for French, Spanish and Arabic speakers, it is always worthwhile to brush up on your language skills. Or if you are interested in specializing in a particular area, such as food security or data in development, you could consider pursuing a graduate degree. Remember why you are doing the job For many global development professionals, it is the passion for their job and belief that their work is having a positive impact that keeps them going. Limited resources and office or national politics can stall projects and this can be frustrating. Or maybe at times you feel bogged down by paper work, but almost all seasoned global development professional will tell you that the results make it worth it. Looking to make a career move? Visit our career center for expert advice on how to navigate your job search — all you need is a Devex Career Account to get started.