How to Make a Living and Change the World Careers in Peacebuilding and Related Fields. Craig Zelizer, Ph.D.

Transcription

1 How to Make a Living and Change the World Careers in Peacebuilding and Related Fields Craig Zelizer, Ph.D. cz52@georgetown.edu

2 True or False 1. The largest peacebuilding/cr org is Search for Common Ground 2. The peacebuilding field is currently able to measure the strategic impact of projects. 3. The average job opening today receives over 50 applications 4. It is always a good idea to negotiate for a better salary. 5. Having a graduate degree is a key qualification to help advance one s career 6. A goal of a peacebuilder is to work oneself out of a job. 7. Peacebuilding is a sustainable field. 8. Peacebuilders practice what they preach. 9. Almost no fragile/conflict affected country has achieved a single MDG 10. The average civil war costs 10 billion dollars 11. The global cost of violence is almost 1 trillion dollars. 12. Corporate Social Responsibility can contribute to peace.

3 Background of the Research ACT Study Map professional opportunities related to international conflict work USIP Study - Explore match between academic program offerings and the needs of the organizations that hire individuals for international conflict work Informal - Extensive Discussions with scholars/ practitioners and students over past 20+ years

4 Core Peacebuilding/CR Skills Communication: Listening Questioning Reframing Empathizing (Galtung) Process Skills: Negotiation Mediation Facilitation Dialogue Personal Skills/Qualities: Dealing with Ambiguity Inter-cultural Skills Research Skills Analytical Skills Centered Knowledge: Conflict Theories Regional/Topic Specialization Related Sectors (Development, Humanitarian Relief, etc.)

5 Advanced Peacebuilding Skills/ Knowledge Communication: Emotions Narratives Managing the Process Relational Empathy Process Skills: Advanced Dialogue Training Policy Integration Project Management Integrated peacebuilding Advocacy Evaluation Assessment Project Design Research Skills Personal Skills/Qualities: Dealing with Ambiguity Inter-cultural/Language Skills Analytical Skills Centered/Creativity Nonviolence Knowledge: Knowledge of the Business of Peace Sectoral Approaches Marketing New Media

6 TOPS KSAs Universities Top 5 KSAs Theories of Causes, Sources & Dynamics of Conflict & Research Skills Theories of Conflict Analysis & Resolution Country/Region Specific KSAs, Multicultural Skills Political Sector - Human Rights, Democracy and Governance Field Experience - Internships (domestic) Employers Top 5 KSAs Field Experience - Work Abroad, Internships Abroad Program Management - Planning & Design, Monitoring & Evaluation, Budgeting, Writing Skills Multicultural Skills Sector-specific, practical, technical expertise Cross-Cutting Issues Civil Society, Gender, Security

7 Are Graduates Prepared for Jobs that Require International Conflict Expertise? Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Students/Alumni Faculty/Staff Employers

8 Summary of Findings Work experience is the most valuable asset. Students need real world practical experience. Academic Expertise is important, but employers stress value of general project management skills and cross-cultural competencies. Many conflict related positions involve crosssectoral work in which conflict skills are integrated into other sectors.

9 Summary of Findings Employers want both a general, holistic understanding of international conflict work & specialized knowledge and skills. Individuals need political savvy & practical know-how to translate theory into effective practice. Recent graduates and alumni seek increased applied education, field experience, mentoring, and career information and guidance.

10 Recommendations for Students Develop a Cross-Sectoral Expertise Get Practical Experience Network, Network, Network Find a Mentor Learn or Brush up on Another Language

11 Recommendations for Students Stay Informed on Trends in the Field Develop a Needed Expertise Be Realistic of Benefits and Challenges of Working in the Field Be Creative Blog, Tweet, Blog, Tweet Learn New Media Skills

12 Total Spending on Conflict, Peace and Security 12

13 Alliance for Peacebuilding Mapping Project Peacebuilding is A lens and set of tools A profession A sector 13

14 Types of Resumes: Chronological: List education/experience in reverse chronological order (most recent to past). Functional: Group experience by particular skills areas and then list work history. Combination: Some people combine these.

15 Resume and Cover Letter Tips Use Statement of Qualifications Qualifications Summary: At the top of your resume put a short qualifications statement that highlights your experience relevant to the position. Make sure this is relatively short (no more than a paragraph or two), focus on relevant experience, put in buzzwords relevant to the employer, etc. Example: Conflict Resolution Practitioner with over five years experience onducting mediation, training and facilitation in the US and Latin America. Trained over 500 people in basic mediation techniques in over 10 countries. Specialization includes: youth and conflict, community-based processes. VA certified mediator and fluent in English and Spanish.

16 Resume and Cover Letter Tips Quantify Language: Whenever possible (and when it is to your benefit) be concrete in what your responsibilties were abd what you accomplished in your previous positions. Example: Worked at the XYZ Conflict Resolution Organization, managed budget and conducted training. Reframe to: Worked at the XYZ Conflict Resolution Organization, organized and managed a $400,000 project. Successfully wrote grant proposals totalling over $50,000 from X source. Conducted over 20 trainings in basic conflict resolution techniques with high school students and teachers, reaching over 500 people

17 Resume and Cover Letter Tips Tailor: Ensure you tailor your cover letter (and possibly resume) to the skills/knowledge employers identify and the mission of the org. Tell a compelling story of why your experience qualifies you to work for this amazing org In the cover letter highlight a few key things that show your skills (don t cover your entire career history)

18 I got an interview Now What? Prepare, Prepare, Prepare Ask friends/network for thoughts Research and understand the org s needs Decide if the org meets your ethics Demonstrate your skills Practice Prepare Questions Understand the Process Follow up

19 Summary of Salary Ranges (based on 2005 ACT report) Type of Job Level Entry Mid-Level Advanced Nonprofit $24,000- $32,000 $35,000- $50,000 $55,000-up Business?????? Consulting/ For-Profit $30,000- $40,000 Government $30,000- $40,000 $45,000- $70,000 $40,000- $65,000 $70,000- $110,000 $65,000- $110,000 Education $35,000 $45,000 $60,000-+ Self- Employed??????

20 Tips for Salary Research (networks, glassdoor.com, friends) Ask around what is a salary Don t undersell yourself Be prepared to negotiate

21 Challenges Burnout in the Field As with any helping profession, one of the difficulties in the field is the very real danger of burnout that can result from working with individuals/groups in conflict in the US and internationally. To date, the field of conflict resolution has not developed extensive theory or practice of how to prevent burnout and promote self-care (although we can learn a lot from social work, psychology, and other helping professions). Several aspects to be aware of include: SAVE The World Syndrome Many individuals enter the field with a high degree of idealism about positively impacting the world (and hopefully keep this throughout their careers). However, some people commit themselves fully to their work without balancing other aspects of their lives in order to make a difference. Others lose their idealism after encountering some of the challenges in working in the field, bureaucracy, funding issues, difficulty of making a long-term impact, etc.

22 Experiencing Direct or Secondary Trauma A very real challenge is that many conflict resolution professionals (particularly those working in violent or postviolent conflict situations) is of being affected directly by violence or the aftermath of violence, or the stories of those affected by tremendous difficulties. Unfortunately in many conflict situations the degree of human suffering is immense and while there are many inspiring moments working in those situations, the burden of suffering of hearing stories and witnessing events can affect practitioners if they do not adopt self-care strategies such as peer support networks, centering work (such as exercise, yoga, mediation), counseling, etc.

23 Key Resources Peace and Collaborative Development Network Peace and Justice Studies Association Alliance for Peacebuilding Association for Conflict Resolution Rotary Peace Centers Visions of Humanity United States Institute of Peace Peacemedia:

24 Possible Scholarship Options Rotary Foundation Peace Scholars IREX, Advanced Scholar and Others, Kathryn Davis Language Fellowships for Peace, Middlebury, kwd.htm Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships, Echoing Green Fellowships for Social Entrepreneurs Academy for Educational Development International Studies Association Fellowship List - American Political Science Association Guide to Fellowships - (c) Craig Zelizer, Permission is Granted for Educational Use