How do you become a foreign aid worker?

Question

What would you major in, inorder to be useful as an aid worker? Psychology? Sociology? Politics?

Answer 1

Overseas aid workers are employed by non-governmental organisations such as the Red Cross in a range of circumstances, from providing emergency humanitarian assistance in conflict zones or the immediate aftermath of a disaster to rehabilitation and long-term capacity building in conjunction with local staff and volunteers. People with technical skills and experience in areas such as public health, water sanitation, logistics and livelihoods (helping people to re-establish their working lives after a disaster) are in particular demand. Candidates without such skills will need to gain programme management experience, perhaps by working as a volunteer.
Employment in foreign aid is potentially available in every job you can imagine. No matter where your areas of expertise are, or even if you do not have any specialised skills, you should be equipped for employment with any number of foreign aid organisations.

For example, both volunteers and trained specialists can frequently expect to find work in the following broad fields of employment:

Administration
Agriculture
Communications
Education
Engineering
Health
Human Settlements
Natural Science
Skilled Trades
Social Sciences
Be prepared to start out in foreign aid work by registering with a foreign aid organisation as a volunteer worker. For more information on voluntary work, see the information available in the Careers Resource Centre at Student Support Services.

There are several different types of aid organisation, classified according to how much or how little the federal government controls their activities or funding.

A non-government organisation (NGO) is one that is entitled to draw funding from the federal government, yet which maintains its own overseas development program, and usually also has partners or further sources for funding and resources (such as businesses, fundraisers and philanthropic organisations), in addition to the government.

NGOs are usually also actively involved with multilateral institutions, such as the United Nations, which preside over arrangements or treaties which influence several (or even all) countries. Depending on the level and the type of involvement you wish to pursue as an aid worker, you should carefully consider what sort of institution you want to be involved with before you start making approaches.

What Personal Attributes are Utilised ?
A calm, patient, and diplomatic personality;
Ability to work both independently and in a team;
Capable of assessing risk and reacting to potentially hazardous situations;
Excellent health and capable of working under stressful conditions;
Highly motivated and committed to humanitarian causes;
Knowledge of first aid;
Strong interpersonal skills;
Well-developed problem-solving skills.