BootsnAll Travel Community

I have spent the last five years working as a graphic designer, and my heart just isn't really in it anymore. What I really love to do is travel, experience different cultures, meet and get to know people from other countries. I also am really interested in foreign policy and global politics. To me it is fascinating to see how all of the different groups of people in our world co-exist and interact with each other. I would also like to feel as though my job is making a positive impact on people.

I think that I would like to completely switch careers and work in International Development or a related field, but don't really know where to start since up until this point I have been working solely as a graphic designer. I think going back to school and getting a Master's degree would be very helpful in building a new career, as well as really interesting (gaining knowledge for the sake of knowledge kind of thing), but at this point I don't feel like I have sufficient enough experience to be accepted to any program.

I thought about joining the Peace Corp but felt that it was too much of a time commitment and didn't like the fact that I would really have no say in what I was going to be doing and where I would be going. I have been looking into different types of international volunteering programs and would be willing to invest 6-9 months of my time and whatever related program fees for the right program that would give me valuable experience.

Has anybody reading this had similar thoughts, feelings and or goals? Any feedback is greatly appreciated...

I think you should consider taking the U.S. Foreign Service exam. You can read through the very length thread I started here.

You could also look at jobs with USAID.

I also wouldn't discount Peace Corps until you've looked into it a bit further. If you really want to work overseas, then you might have to accept that at first you can't exactly pick where you're going. However, all of the above organizations at least let you put some preferences down.

There's nothing wrong with getting a masters degree, but I wouldn't assume that having one will help much in your job hunt. It may just leave you with $50,000 in debt and the pressure to take any paying job that comes along.

Why not try to find a job as a graphic designer with a large charity or non-governmental organization that has huge overseas operations, like World Vision or CARE or Oxfam or Habitat for Humanity or a similar one? You would be able to find out how these organizations work, and get their guidance on whether you can shift jobs internally and what you would need to do that...

I know where you're coming from, to get into international development you need patience because it's very tough to get into. I have a masters in international development from a great school and it's a struggle.
Choose what aspect of development you are interested in, economics, welfare, campaigning, war etc.
Key especially in international organisations are languages, especially french and spanish. The UN require 2 for a lot of there jobs.
You should look into how you can use your graphic designing skills.

If you keep at it i'm sure you'll find something you can be passionate about.

It sounds like we're kindred spirits, I want to do the same thing. I just have about 5 years left 'til I can retire though, so I'll stick it out and get the schooling like you're talking about in the mean-time. If you can, please send us a message and let us know what you end up doing. Take care!

Hey everybody, thanks for the feedback I do appreciate it. The idea of possibly using my design skills for a largenon-profit is interesting. I have been meaning to learn more design programs too, and feel like that would definitley be a need that any organization would have.

Honestly at this point in my life taking the Foreign Service exams seems like it would be a little too much to dive into but you never know down the road. I think maybe a year from now I will volunteer with an organization to see if it is actually something I would like, plus it would give me additional experience if I did decide to go back to school.

Thanks for the feedback