In a recent blog post discussing the gender gap within international development organizations, I attributed one of the challenges to gender equality — particularly at the leadership level — to the issue of “trailing spouses.” For many professionals, a career in international development means a series of overseas postings. For their spouses, that often means following along and trying to stay employed.
I recently met an international development professional who is planning her wedding to a newly minted U.S. foreign service officer. As she is making critical decisions, such as her color scheme, floral arrangements and selecting the least obnoxious DJ, she is also trying to prepare herself for a life and career that is always on the move.
She asked for tips on what she could do to maintain her career — and employability — in international development when her spouse’s job could take them to Lima this year and Bangkok next.
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.
