Resources for field staff: Re-entry

Finding your next job

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Humanitarian workers returning from an overseas assignment face a slew of challenges, from adjusting to life "at home" to dealing with the after-effects of chronic stress or exposure to trauma. And while each re-entry varies, many humanitarian workers returning from the field will also confront another challenge: finding a new job.

Given that humanitarian work often has no clearly defined career path, you'll need to be creative and open-minded as you search for a new job. Like many returning humanitarian workers, you may feel that your experience means you are best off looking for assignments similar to what you've done before, perhaps with the same organization. In many ways, finding another job in humanitarian work may be the best fit, provided you give yourself as much time as possible between assignments to rest, to cope with any stress you may be experiencing, and to prepare yourself adequately for your next deployment.

However, it's also worth noting that your field experience may have afforded you skills that can be parlayed into a new line of work either at home or abroad. Consider whether aspects of your field experience such as literacy training, healthcare promotion, or conflict resolution might have applications in the community where you are looking for work. You might even find that looking for a new job away from your narrowly defined area of expertise presents enjoyable and interesting opportunities. Likewise, your experience abroad may have opened you up to new interests, and you may feel driven to expand your knowledge or your professional skills by returning to academic life for a period. Whatever paths you choose to explore, be patient with yourself and stay in touch with your various support networks—family, friends, and colleagues may all be able to assist you in your hunt for a new job.

The resources below can also help you in your job search. Idealist lists thousands of jobs, volunteer opportunities, and internships with nonprofit organizations around the world. The other websites in this section also feature jobs in international aid and development.

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