My last several posts have focused on my entrepreneurial interests. I'm very excited by the opportunities there and I'm sure that I will continue down that path.
But I continue to be interested in working with an established organization too. I want to learn how non-profits work from the inside. And in particular, I want to learn how to support international aid efforts. My previous work experience hasn't really given me much international exposure and I believe that I need that to really deliver on the commitment that I've made to myself -- the one that has gotten me started in this career-switch to begin with. In other words, I believe I'd be happiest if I could pursue something entrepreneurial AND something more formal that already exists.
What I think I'm learning is that I'd be better off trying to work for a smaller, international organization. I got some good insight into this via a recent phone interview that I did with a development economist focused on Eastern Africa. She's done work with many of the larger organizations (including the World Bank) on issues like gender violence, rural development and human capital investments (education, health, nutrition). As I described my situation, she cited three reasons why larger organizations and the World Bank in particular, might not be a good fit for me. First, she described a mind-numbing level of bureaucracy -- something that would be very difficult for me to deal with. Second, I'm an American, and its just not easy to get into the World Bank, the UN or its related organizations as an American. Its not impossible, but its a drawback. And third, my lack of direct experience in the non-profit world will make it very difficult for me to break into these organizations.
So, perhaps a smaller organization would be the more sensible way to try and break in. She suggested that I might actually need to consider taking on pro bono work or doing an internship to help me build my creds. I'm very open to this idea and in fact, this might be exactly the right way to explore a brand new industry.
Recall my post on the Congo a few weeks back. Concern Worldwide is a smaller international organization (about $10-12 million operating budget). Perhaps this could be a good place to explore. I reached out to them recently and connected with their Director of Operations. I'm hoping for a call soon from their HR folks to explore opportunities with them -- perhaps in the area of Monitoring and Evaluation (e.g., measuring program success). Another step I'm now taking is to identify a list of prospective companies with international focus but that have relatively small operating budgets.
