CAREER TRACK SNAPSHOT: INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT The goal of international development is to alleviate poverty among the citizens of developing countries. Strategies for improvement include investment in the economic, political, and social arenas. Economic development ranges from the creation of sound macroeconomic and fiscal policy to the fostering of small- - - medium enterprise to the introduction or expansion of microfinance. It also involves identifying and creating the necessary infrastructure, energy, transportation, sanitation for economic growth through the provision of technical assistance and access to capital. Political development focuses on the creation and fostering of good governance, including transparent financial systems, an independent judiciary and the active participation of civil society. Social development focuses on the improvement of health, education and social safety nets. The areas are interrelated and interdependent. International development is literally a global topic and professionally a highly multidisciplinary field. Career Paths in International Development Specializations within the international development career path include, but are not limited to: International Agencies and Work in the Field A popular option for graduates from the international development program is to head directly into a development related field such as non- - - governmental organizations, United Nations organizations, multi- - - lateral and bi- - - lateral agencies, foreign service, and English as a second language instructors/research and travel. These fields provide you an opportunity to work with organizations on international issues, humanitarian relief programs, and multi- - - lateral military interventions, promote alternative development strategies, and analyze long- - - term effectiveness of U.S. monetary aid, foreign trade negotiation, as well as educational and cultural exchanges. Examples include Greenpeace, Foundation for Global Community, Peace Corp, USAID, UNWTO, Middle East Children s Alliance, Ford Foundation, etc. Community Organizing Community organizers focus primarily on the serious challenges that face their local communities. These challenges are typically tackled by grassroots non- - - governmental organizations, social and environmental justice campaigns, local political reform and organizing, and other organizations that deal with the social aspect of development issues. As a community
organizer you may be faced with a single public interest issue, environmental conservation and awareness, election campaigns, and educating the public. Examples of some organizations and campaigns in this field are the Rain Forest Action Network, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, AmeriCorps, Teach for America, Vista, etc. The Private Sector Opportunities to work in the private sector are based on consumer demand and factor prices, with goals of long- - - term sustainability and resource conservation. This category is comprised of opportunities working with sustainable development in cooperatives, community supported agriculture, micro- - - enterprises, big corporations, and journalism. Working in the private sector can range from creating new markets for environmentally sustainable agriculture to bringing third- - - world crafts to first- - - world consumers. A couple examples of companies are Earthtrade and Global Exchange. Art, Culture, and Music Some professionals with a background in international development choose to spread awareness through different forms of art. Art, culture, and music are powerful ways to spread an important and inspiring message. There are outlets in the international development field that can use professionals with a talent for performance dance, drama, music or other forms of art. One example, Common Threads, is a collection of LA- - - based artists seeking to publicize the poor working conditions of local garment workers. The San Francisco Mime Troop has used street theater to convey information about critical issues in international development, such as the mobility of international business and its ability to pit different peoples against one another as they seek low- - - cost production sites. Independent, Documentary Film Film can be an extremely effective means for raising awareness about issues in international development. With new capabilities for fundraising like kickstarter.com, independent documentary filmmaking is becoming more accessible to the public. Youtube has made it even easier to have your message reach a broader audience. Think Tanks International development think tanks research the background of issues, attempting to create the basis for new legislation and aw. These are private foundations that receive contract money from the government to carry out research for policy issues. Most think tanks are located in Washington, D.C. On- - - Campus Recruiting: Those firms who choose to come to campus do so generally between September - - - February. Self- - - Directed Job Search: Career Fairs Generally September, October and Spring Semester; Job and internship opportunities posted on company websites, GWorkSB, and specialized websites throughout the year.
Key Trends An increase in grassroots support globally. Industry growth in community driven development (CDD) and community based development (CBD). Partnerships with local organizations and the hiring of locals have increased due to the right to development. Millennium Development Goal (MDG) Localization follows a community- - - based approach, which attests to the importance of community needs and local objectives. The MDGs have been increasingly used to articulate development processes at the national and local levels. Critical Skills Communication Skills Creativity Drive for Results/ Action Orientation Political Savvy Ability to deal with Ambiguity Strong teamwork Relationship Development Communication and Presentation Skills Interpersonal Skills Analytical / Quantitative Skills Courses at GWU Course suggestions: International Finance/Accounting IBUS 6301: International Business Finance IBUS 6302: Seminar in International Banking IBUS 6303: External Development Financing IBUS 6307: International Portfolio Management IBUS 6308: International Reporting and Control IBUS 6310: Intl. Financial Reporting Standards International Accounting and Taxation ACCY 6110: International Reporting & Control ACCY 6111: International Accounting ACCY 6112: Intl. Financial Reporting Standards
ACCY 6900: International Taxation International Competition, Management & Strategy IBUS 6401: International Business Strategy IBUS 6402: Managing in Developing Countries IBUS 6290: International Business Negotiations IBUS 6201: International Marketing ACCY 6106: Financial Statement Analysis DNSC 6290: Supply Chain Strategy DNSC 6290: Sustainable Supply Chain MGT 215: Conflict Management MGT 216: Cross- - - Cultural Management MGT 293: New Venture Initiation MGT 296: New Venture Financing MGT 294: Strategic Entrepreneurship Other Coursework Available IBUS 290 classes are experimental courses on selected topics, which eventually may become part of the department's curriculum. Be advised that the scheduling varies based on faculty availability. The IBUS department also offers short term study abroad opportunities. Please check the International Education and Programs page for more information. IBUS 6290: Oil: Industry, Economy, Society IBUS 6297/IBUS 6290: Globalization and China's Business Envir. (Short- - - term Study Abroad) IBUS 6202: Privatization, National and Public/Private Partnerships (Short- - - term Study Abroad) Faculty Advisors Name, Office, Phone #, Email Address Co- - - Curricular & Extra- - - Curricular Activities Leadership in GWSB MBA Student Organizations: http://gwmbaa.com/mba- - - student- - - orgs/ Memberships: Association of Women in Development www.awid.org Interaction, the American Council for Voluntary International Action www.interaction.org Society for International Development, Washington, DC Chapter www.sidw.org Women s Environmental and Development Organization www.wedo.org
NOTE: See List of Professional Organizations on the Career Center Graduate Resource Page Career Fairs, Case Competitions Career Fairs: National Asian MBA (NAMBA) National Black MBA (NBMBAA) National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA) National Association of Women MBAs (NAWMBA) Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA) NOTE: A list of career fairs is in the summer materials handout and a report of all career fairs and open houses in the mid- - - Atlantic area is posted on the Career Center web site. Case and Business Plan Competitions: GE Case Competition GWU Business Plan Competition NOTE: There are many other case competitions sponsored by other companies or schools Further Research Career Profiles and Industry / Company Information: Vault (career, functional and industry guides) GOINGLOBAL (international organizations and general / visa information) GWU Gelman Library o ALADIN (business databases for company research) o Specialized Directories Washington Representatives (lawyers, lobbyists, consultants doing business with the Federal Government), Encyclopedia of Associations (International Organizations and National U.S. Organizations) Publications and Books: TBD Other Sites and Blogs: TBD Career Snapshot Guides Sources:
Careers- - - In- - - Business.com Vault Guides Investopedia Wikipedia CareerLeader Wet Feet The Strengths of Salespeople, Gallup Management Journal What Color is Your Parachute?: A Practical Manual for Job Hunters and Career- - - Changers, by Richard Nelson Bolles Vault s Career Insider http://www.shrm.org Profession and Purpose: A Resource Guide to MBA Careers in Sustainability, by Katie Kross