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OxfordGuideToCareers2017
OxfordGuideToCareers2017
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INTERNATIONAL POLICY<br />
+ DEVELOPMENT<br />
Employment in this sector primarily involves researching and communicating effectively to<br />
inform how opinions and international decisions are made and changed.<br />
This could be done working in a Think Tank that seeks to address issues of global concern,<br />
in your country’s foreign service to formulate and implement international policy, in the<br />
civil service of a regional organisation such as the EU, as a researcher in a political risk or<br />
international development consultancy, or in an international organisation (IO) such as the<br />
UN or World Bank. Alternatively, you could work for a global charity (see pages 79-80 for<br />
relevant advice). As this is a popular sector with moral appeal, competition for employment<br />
can be intense, but it offers rewarding careers for those who persevere.<br />
GETTING IN AND ENTRY POINTS<br />
<br />
organisations in this sector value some kind of relevant<br />
<br />
public or third sector, and preferably in a developing<br />
country. However, there are some graduate schemes, such<br />
<br />
<br />
as well as the Fellowship Scheme run by the Overseas<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
for international development roles. The precise course<br />
title does not generally matter, but it can be important to<br />
highlight the most relevant modules taken and to illustrate<br />
that you have knowledge of relevant research techniques,<br />
technical skills, regions and (if you have them) languages.<br />
<br />
many Think Tanks may require that you have undertaken<br />
<br />
several years of professional experience.<br />
<br />
<br />
your chances of securing a job and to help you work out<br />
which areas and employers are for you. Most Think Tanks<br />
are open to students undertaking short internships with<br />
them. These are sometimes unpaid or include only a travel<br />
stipend, so you may need to try and set up several shorter<br />
experiences that you can combine with other work. The<br />
<br />
graduates. Internships with an IO are normally reserved<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
especially those with more than one language and some<br />
regional knowledge or expertise.<br />
Maira Seeley<br />
<br />
British Embassy Amman<br />
“Oxford offers great opportunities to<br />
gain volunteer or practical experience<br />
and further skills. Think carefully about<br />
your career path and do some research<br />
on what concrete skills are in demand<br />
and try to make room for these on top of<br />
your coursework.”<br />
EXTRA-CURRICULAR IDEAS<br />
+ Spend as much time as you can gaining international<br />
experience and knowledge. Spend a summer on The<br />
Internship Programme (p.39) working on a development<br />
project, building your language skills and getting to<br />
know a region.<br />
+ Write relevant articles for student newspapers, journals<br />
or blogs, to demonstrate you can use research to inform<br />
<br />
+ Take a course at the Language Centre, or otherwise<br />
hone a second language.<br />
+ Join societies concerned with development and<br />
<br />
+ Look for the Skoll World Forum activities and the fringe<br />
events (Marmalade/OxJam) in April each year.<br />
MORE INFORMATION:<br />
INTERNATIONAL POLICY + DEVELOPMENT<br />
<br />
and hear of upcoming opportunities, by networking<br />
<br />
careers events and seminars, and through the Oxford<br />
<br />
www.careers.ox.ac.uk<br />
/international-development<br />
/international-law<br />
/international-organisations<br />
133