International Development
International development is a broad field that generates ideas and tools designed to create economic
opportunity, eliminate poverty, and improve health, oftentimes on a global scale. Entry-level duties may
include database management, forecasting and supply chain management, grassroots organizing,
accounting and finance tasks, administrative tasks (i.e., scheduling, booking travel), managing
communications and fundraising activities, and supporting operational aspects of project implementation.
Student backgrounds vary across the spectrum – from the social sciences to humanities to the life
sciences.
Finding a job in this field can be a challenge because many positions are in high demand, are not publicly
listed, and many new hires come through personal referrals.
Important factors when considering a career in international development
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Take advantage of the W Network or any other opportunity (e.g., lectures, conferences) to
create a strong professional network;
It is a good idea to build a resume that shows a history of internships with development
agencies or non-governmental organizations working on development projects. You should plan to
include a substantial experience (e.g., 3 month summer internship) in your resume before
entering your senior year;
Studying abroad in the geographic area in which you would like to focus or completing an
internship in your preferred geographic area may help you find a permanent position in the
future/after graduation;
Familiarizing yourself with the technical and scholarly work about international development will
be helpful as you navigate your options.
Resume tips
Most entry-level positions are termed technical assistant, administrative assistant, program assistant, or
research assistant. Be sure to tailor your resume to these positions, which may require skills like STATA,
SAS, Reference Manager, Microsoft Access, Excel, EndNote, NVivo, and/or AtlasTi. Also, fluency or
advanced knowledge of a second language will make you a much more competitive.
Wellesley Alums have attended these graduate programs
Duke University
Harvard Kennedy School
The Heller School at Brandeis University
London School of Economics and Political Science
University of Sheffield, UK
Resources
Government
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
US Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook
The US Foreign Service
Peace Corps - click to view video Be a Volunteer
Bilateral & Multilateral Agencies
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
World Bank
United Nations World Food Programme
United Nations Development Programme
Be the Difference ❘
Center for Work and Service ❘
Green Hall 441 ❘
www.wellesley.edu/CWS
Non-Governmental Organizations
The Ford Foundation
The Center for Global Development
Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab at MIT (J-PAL)
African Development Bank Group
OXFAM
Grameen Bank
BRAC
Be the Difference ❘
Center for Work and Service ❘
Green Hall 441 ❘
www.wellesley.edu/CWS