IT / Computing career path for charity or international development work?

Question

I love my job in in IT (tech support & projects, mostly manufacturing / finance sectors up to now). My partner is studying International Development, so may get posted overseas down the track. I have always wanted to get a VSO placement, one day, or find a career that helps people (rather than just increasing company profits).

Can anyone suggest a IT career path, or specific IT skills which would help prepare me for work in developing countries, or the not-for-profit sector?

I'm especially keen to hear from IT professionals who have worked for e.g. VSO, Australian Volunteers International, UNV, Peace Corps, Volunteer Abroad or similar.

Answer 1

In the IT department, charities run much the same as other organizations - they have computers, networks, servers, etc., and need staff to maintain them.

Nonprofits and charities rely heavily on their donor databases. A specific skill computer-related skill desired by nonprofits would be database maintenance - there are many specialized fundraising database programs that are used by nonprofits (Raiser's Edge, Donor Perfect, etc.) and expertise in that area is always in demand.

Answer 2

I joined the Peace Corps almost three years ago with the understanding that I'd be placed in their IT track (I had 7 years of IT experience at that point). Like you, I had gotten tired of the corporate treadmill and wanted to help people as well. Once I arrived in my country of placement I was told that I wouldn't be doing anything more sophisticated than web site design and writing Powerpoint presentations so I got involved in other things, doing IT-related stuff whenever I got the chance. While my tour didn't involve as much IT as I had hoped I did learn other things that can come in handy in an IT career such as project management, needs assessment, etc. So while things were a little different than I expected I definitely don't think the 26 months I spent abroad were a waste - on the contrary, it was one of the best experiences I've had.