Career Profile Project Logo

The Career Profile Project

About Blog Contact Home

Career Profile Home

Career Profile Project
International Project Mgmt. & Researcher

Job Title and Job Description

International Project Mgmt. & Researcher

Currently I am serving as a Fellow for a US non-profit organization that works with rural farmers in Tanzania (located in East Africa). We help farmers by teaching them agricultural methods so they may better understand how to use their farmland. We teach them how to make their own fertalizers, how to plant crops and make use to the land so that more vegetables can be grown, healthy and without using chemical pesticides. We also share with farmers knoweldge on eating healthy and also talk to them about the disease HIV and AIDS. What I like best about my work is being able to share with people the knowledge that will help them improve their daily lives, help them save money, and improve their family?s health. I also like learning about different culture and people. It is very interesting.

What are some related career opportunities and job titles in your company or in your career area?

People who work in international development may work in many different sectors such as health, agriculture, emergency relief (such as helping the people who where effected in the the earthquake in Southeast Asia), etc. There are many opportunities to work abroad, help people who are poorer than you, and learn about other cultures and people.

What education or training did you have to prepare for this career?

To prepare myself for a career in international work, it is important that I have experiences overseas in a developing country. I have work experience in Cambodia with a human rights non-profit and here in Tanzania with an educational organization that works with rural farmers. To better understand the challenges with government and with social issues, an advance degree in international development is very helpful--and strongly recommended.

What education or training do you recommend for students today who want to enter this field?

For anyone wishing to work in international development, it is recommended that you have lots of field work experiences in a developing country so you may better understand the situation, challenges and culture of the local people you wish to help. An advance degree (master?s degree) in international development, public adminstration, is strongly recommended.

When you were in high school, did you know that you would enter this field?

No. Growing up I was very interested in other cultures and helping other people in poorer countries. I knew I wanted to work on social issues but did not think I?d ever come to Africa. And here I am.

Skills Profile

Skills UsedRating (5=Most Important thru
1=Not Important)		Comments
Artistic 3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important 
Athletic / Physical 2-Less Important2-Less Important 
Bilingual 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important 
Computer Technology 2-Less Important2-Less Important 
Coordination / Using Hands, Tools, and Equipment 4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important 
Creative Thinking 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important 
Interpersonal 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important 
Investigative / Fact Finding 4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important 
leadership and Supervising 4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important 
Logical Thinking 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important 
Math 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important 
Mechanical Understanding 2-Less Important2-Less Important 
Sales and Negotiation 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important 
Scientific and Experimental 3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important 
Social Service / Helping Skills 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important 
Teaching / Instructing 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important 
Verbal Communication 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important 
Understanding Nature, Plants, Animals 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important 
Understanding Yourself 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important 
Writing 4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important 
 

Interview By: Sarann Nuon