How to Start a Career in Humanitarian Aid

With so many people in need worldwide, those seeking a career path where they can make a difference while traveling often consider becoming an international aid worker. But the real question is, how exactly does a person land a job in humanitarian aid? Well, it's best to start with a clear understanding of what international aid workers do and the different career paths you can take.

Humanitarianism is a great way to travel the world and make a more significant impact while you do it. However, there is a lot of competition for these opportunities, and aid workers often possess specific skill sets.

Hard skills come into major play when seeking a career in humanitarian aid.

If you imagine your humanitarian experience being similar to celebrities like Angelia Jolie aiding and feeding cute children in underdeveloped countries, you may want to reevaluate your expectations. Although the work will be rewarding, it will likely not be as glamorous as it appears with celebrities. Humanitarian aid careers are non-traditional career paths that require a significant amount of commitment.

Start by taking some time to discover your volunteer interests and the cultures you would like to experience. Before asking how to start a career in humanitarian aid and the types of career paths and opportunities available, go over a few FAQs regarding humanitarian trips.

What do humanitarian workers do?

Humanitarian aid workers may face various challenges that make the job seem stressful, so organizations seek passionate yet qualified individuals for these opportunities. The skills aid workers possess include:

• Engineering
• Medicine
• Technology
• Logistics

These valuable work skills, abilities, and knowledge are necessary to put the world back together after a major disaster. Humanitarian aid workers help those forced from their homes due to conflict and/or natural disasters. These workers make personal sacrifices and work under a lot of pressure while witnessing the hardships of people caught in conflict areas or in the aftermath of natural disasters.

Humanitarian aid often places you in disaster zones, which can be emotionally and mentally trying.

Humanitarian aid workers work early mornings and sometimes long days doing physical labor. Most humanitarian aid opportunities last a few weeks to a few years. International aid workers live abroad with and learn from people and other cultures as they help them throughout a crisis.

For example, Troy Peden, the founder of GoAbroad.com, described his experience volunteering during a humanitarian disaster with Ukrainian refugees and shared what he learned from volunteering during a humanitarian crisis.

Your position may differ depending on your chosen path, volunteer experience, or whether you chose a career in humanitarianism. No matter what you decide, you will be hard at work doing necessary tasks with your unique skill set.

READ: Why Humanitarian Aid is Important

What are the different types of humanitarian jobs?

There are numerous jobs to fulfill as an international aid worker, with many areas to serve. Some humanitarian jobs include:

• Social Worker
• Nurse
• Nutritionist
• Civil Engineer
• Agronomist
• Education Advisors
• Social Media/Communications Manager
• Legal Aid Advisor
• Grant Specialist
• Database Developer
• Technical Advisor

What kind of humanitarian career paths are there?

Careers in community health and education make some of the biggest impacts in humanitarian aid! (Photo credit: IMA)

There are several different sectors to provide humanitarian service in. Even being a musician is an option these days! It all depends on your skillset, educational background, and/or work experience. It may also depend on what organization you are working with as well. Look into different options to see what you can contribute to an organization.

Here's a list of a view of those jobs that one could have options in:

Health

• HIV/AIDS Clinic & Health Team Volunteer
• Community Health Facilitator
• Youth Health and Well-being Volunteer

Education

• Deaf Educator
• Secondary Education Math Teacher
• English Education and Youth Development Volunteer
• TEFL Volunteer

Agriculture

• Agriculture Extension Volunteer
• Forestry and Environment Change Agent
• Sustainable Rural Agriculture Extension Agent

Youth Development

• Youth Development Facilitator
• Youth Development Specialist
• Youth Development Volunteer

Community Economic Development

• Community Organizational Development Volunteer
• Economic Empowerment Program Volunteer
• Community Economic Development Connector

READ: What to Study to Become an International Aid Worker

How to start a career in humanitarian aid

Here are a few steps you can take to land a job as a humanitarian aid worker. Before going into the steps, do a bit of self-reflection. Start thinking about what you have to offer and identify your reasoning for choosing this non-traditional career path.

1. Get the right education

The degree you choose will influence which skills you begin to build first.

Pursue a degree or certifications that will support your interest in the type of work you would like to apply for. Your education should align with your career interest. For example, a degree in International Relations and a minor in Social Work are ideal qualifications for many humanitarian aid organizations.

2. Develop your skills

Before studying abroad or volunteering for international organizations, it can be beneficial to develop critical skills you might need, such as language comprehension and teamwork.

While studying in college, it can be helpful to pick one or two countries you're most interested in and explore their language through online resources or college classes. Learning the language early can help prepare you for visiting the country in the future and allow you to communicate with its citizens more quickly.

When looking to develop teamwork skills, consider volunteering for local non-profit organizations such as homeless shelters or meal-providing services. This can allow you to understand how volunteer programs operate and help you practice effective teamwork techniques.

READ: 10 Best Countries for Human Rights Internships Abroad

3. Work or study abroad

Working or studying abroad through college or third party programs can provide you with meaningful experience and help you increase your occupational credentials. It also allows you to practice immersing yourself in another country's culture and practice communicating in their language.

If you already know your desired country to work in after graduation, consider finding an opportunity to intern or study there first, so you can start to become more familiar with the people and issues in local communities.

4. Intern for experience

Intern experience—whether at home, abroad, or online—is a great way to earn your credibility and a working relationship with others. Try signing up for internship opportunities with a non-profit organization doing work that is high in demand.

You'll be able to learn a skill, gain experience, and build a working relationship inside of the career field. Significant experiential learning will develop your competitive edge in this highly sought-after career. Oftentimes it's not always what you know but who you know, and you never know where a volunteer opportunity might connect you to.

5. Volunteer locally or abroad

Volunteering is an excellent way to dip your toes into humanitarian work!

After graduation, it can be helpful to volunteer for different international organizations where you can continue to build your qualifications, network with other international aid workers, and assist countries or communities that need it.

Some volunteer organizations may want to place you in a country you already have experience with, which is another reason it can be essential to pick the country you're most interested in helping early on. Placing you in a familiar setting can allow you to continue learning the language and developing a relationship with the culture.

Once you've had time to establish yourself in the community and gained significant experience, it's possible to advance to an international aid worker position where you can help non-profit organizations by recommending development projects and helping them secure crucial funding.

READ: How to Volunteer for Natural Disasters

4 ways to get experience for a career in humanitarian aid

There are many career options in humanitarian aid—and they all begin with experience. Check out these programs that will help you develop your skills and build your resume, all while traveling the world!

1. Connect-123: Human Rights Internships

• A meaningful internship opportunity created with you in mind. This program could take you to one of five different international destinations: Spain, Argentina, South Africa, Ireland, or Australia. It’s open to students, recent graduates, and experienced professionals.
• Read Connect-123 reviews

2. Roots Interns: Nonprofit Management Internship at Social Nonprofit

• Combine making an impact with valuable learning through a Roots internship in South Africa or Zambia. There are a wide range of focus areas offered, like early childhood development, wildlife conservation, and food security. No matter what you’re studying in school, Roots has an internship to match your interests and requirements.
• Read Roots Interns reviews

3. Institute for Global Studies: Human Rights and Social Work Internship in Ecuador

• A non-governmental organizations that believes in making a betterment of society, the Institute for Global Studies focuses on the operations side of humanitarian aid. During this internship program in Ecuador, you will learn about NGO administration, donations management, and legal research.
• Read Institute for Global Studies reviews

4. CAPA London: Wrongful Conviction Program

• Education meets action in this study abroad program with CAPA. You’ll join an accelerated four-week course that will allow you to observe trials, as well as build connections with other human rights organizations in London. This is a great program for those who have a particular interest in criminal justice and prisoners’ rights.
• Read CAPA The Global Education Network reviews

Compare these programs side-by-side for FREE with MyGoAbroad

Is a career in humanitarianism calling?

The world needs more people like you.

If you're feeling inspired to make a difference, take the leap and launch your career. You're doing a lot of good in the world just by dreaming of making it a better place. Remember to begin your career by building that resume with volunteer work, education, and professional connections. Be the difference in the world through the work that you pursue.

• Explore Human Rights Internships Abroad
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