If you asked a group of students interested in working in international development what their greatest dilemma was it would be impossible to pinpoint only one. One of the biggest concerns, however, is the decision on whether to work in the private, non-profit, or public sector.
Many have questioned whether it is really possible to “do good”— the motto of international development – and take home a decent salary and benefit package. Furthermore, the challenges associated with securing a job in the development field and the realities of making ends meet do not always factor into the dream of finding a job that captures one’s passion, interests and career goals.
Graduating students share these concerns with many entry-level professionals, mid-career development specialists and career-changers. While consultations with friends, professors, alumnae networks, and career advisers are essential, the advice of professionals in the field are invaluable.
About the author
Stella Ngumuta
Stella Ngumuta holds a Bachelor of Law from the University of Nairobi and a master's in law and diplomacy from the Fletcher School at Tufts University in Boston. She has worked in the private and public sectors in Kenya, Somalia and Sierra Leone. Stella became a Devex fellow in June 2007 and after a stint in Washington, D.C., relocated to Nairobi, where she eventually became associate protection officer at the HIAS Refugee Trust of Kenya in Nairobi. She is fluent in English and Swahili, and speaks basic French.
