Which college majors do I need to complete in order to pursue a career as a humanitarian aid worker?

Answer 1

Sven is right, but consider getting a degree in Technology.

Then you'll actually be able to do something.

Sociology is as about as worthless as you can get. Social work is just as bad.

PS College advisers' advice is often free, but accurate? Not very often. HS advisers are worse, far worse.

Answer 2

You saw the social work answers, and, of course, something like that is good general advice. Much will depend on what kind of help you want to offer. A few classes in economics may mean that you can be involved in planning an economic recovery for a poor area. An ecologist can work on methods for development and the feeding of people in need. Imagine what construction and engineering skills might meant to an area with no modern infrastructure. Knowledge of nutrition, transportation, medicine, child care are among the many skills you can pick up in and outside of college, that can help you pursue your career.

If you want detailed and specific answers to your question, talk to someone at one of the various relief agencies such as the Red Cross, UNICEF, etc. They can tell you what skills they need now, and two or four years from now.

Answer 3

I am on leave from work in the corporate sector and thought of having a meaningful break by doing a volunteering work anywhere in the globe and my first motivation was adventure. I am a biology graduate but never practised my being a biologist. Instead, I had my first job with a hotel as a receptionist. As time went by, my career shifted from being a hotelier to being an administrator of one of the drug rehabilitation centres in the Philippines. Now that I am in Pakistan, working as an organisational development adviser for an NGO working in the earthquake-hit areas, I realise that no matter what course you take, as long as you have the heart for helping others - that is more essential. Any course can be beneficial in humanitarian work and that depends on what you really like. If you want project management, then take a course on administration and management, if you want to help doing medical assistance, I bet you know what courses you can take (nursing or you can be a doctor), accountants are also needed in projects, I.T. specialists are very much in demand in UN/WHO/SavetheChildren..etc. , psychologists... try to think HOW YOU WANT TO HELP and take a course related to that.

Answer 4

Well depending on the scope of those you want to benefit, you might want to look into several options. If you want to benefit your local, state, or national community, then you might want to start with a degree in social work with maybe a minor in political science. If, however, you want to do international humanitarian aid like the Peace Core, then it you might find cultural anthropology helpful. However, the Peace Core does not require a specific degree in anthropology because you join them for a short time they could use your help for a variety of task that utilize your expertise. Humanitarian work is also a career, and, like any career, you must know if it fits into your life for next ten years or so without burning you out. I would recommend that your speak to a career counselor to establish your aptitude, likes, dislikes before deciding. You might also want to interview people in such fields and ask them the questions that aren't normally asked, such as how it has affect their personal life like hobbies, families, friends, and relationships. I hope I helped you a bit.

Answer 5

I spent 2 in a financial career before going into the Peace Corp. I quickly discovered that most developing nations need help with the basic infrastructure stuff more than anything.

This means they are actively looking for people to help them develop their water delivery systems, their farming, their technology, their political structure, etc.

I was an English major and had good computer science skills (a self taught programmer). This combination of communication skill and ability to develop software and train folks how to use PCs seemed to be in demand.

However, they were also interested in folks who had studied political sciences and engineering. So it really depends on your own personal preferences and aptitudes.

Good luck, I think you will find this type of career very rewarding no matter which specialty you choose.

Answer 6

Well if you have chosen your desired institution of higher learning, see if they have a curriculum that will fit what you desire to do. The best way to accomplish this is to speak with an academic advisor at the university you would like to attend. Also, you could take a look at the Peace Corp, the United Way or the Red Cross to see what type of degrees they require when hiring people. That will also give you some idea of what you're getting into. Also go to the website of the Bureau of Labor and Statistics and they will have information as to what type of degree, number of jobs, and types of salary for this type of work.

Answer 7

Umm, frankly, I don't think it matters. Sure, some will be more helpful (perhaps), but... you know that whole idea of supply and demand? Well, there's a lot of demand for humanitarian workers, I think if you're willing, they'll take you despite whatever you've studied! There's a good chance most organizations are going to want you to have a bachelor's degree... but it probably won't matter in what.

Answer 8

You just need a big heart. A college degree will just put you in debt if you are just going to do humanitarian work. I am not sure what a social work degree will do for you except fill your head with propaganda about how the world is allegedly against poor people.

Answer 9

Most will tell you: sociology or some other 'hot air' major.

Humanitarian work requires a distinct understanding of sociology, but it requires a greater understanding of geo-politics, global economics, business, sustainable agriculture, banking and healthcare administration.

To help humanity, you need to know how it works at the macro-level, and economics and geo-politics is where you should start. See World Bank and IMF websites for clues as to what the needy need in this ever-changing world of ours.

Answer 10

Social work would be a good one to start with, along with sociology. My university actually offers a degree in human rights and that would be useful too, but I think it is one of the only schools in the country that offers such a major.