The long-used pathways into global development work are having what some see as an unprecedented shake-up. Internships and training programs are being scaled back due to job freezes, artificial intelligence is able to take on much of the work normally handed off to entry-level hires, and NGOs are making an effort to hire more from the global south. What does that mean for those hoping to break into the industry — and who is well-placed to do so?
Katherine Raphaelson, president of the U.S. chapter of the global Society for International Development network, said that the vast majority of her organization’s members have been impacted by this year’s budget cuts, and almost all internship programs have been put on hold, including SID-US’s own program. Many organizations remain in crisis mode and have yet to shift their focus toward rebuilding future talent pipelines, she added.
Devex spoke with experts across the sector to understand how Generation Z and Alpha’s global development and aid professionals might follow a different path from those of the past.