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Recruitment : Gaining International Experience in Public Health
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"International work experience required."
You may have seen the above phrase as you scan positions in global health. Like many early career public health professionals, you have almost certainly asked yourself: 'How am I supposed to get international experience if every position requires that I already have it?' This common dilemma is not insurmountable; high-quality international experiences do exist in a variety of forms and are crucial to advancing your global health career.
- Know where to look and what to look for.( show/hide.)
Don't limit yourself, international public health experience comes in many forms:
- Internships
- Short term consultancies
- University sponsored or credit-based programs
- Community organization and mission trips
- Diverse organizations, from US Government agencies and large international health organizations to local sister city and church mission groups, host such opportunities. Check out our list.
- Determine what you want to achieve, think broadly (don’t limit your options), and think about the resources you have and those you may need. A helpful guide is “Finding Work in Global Health” by Garth Osborn and Patricia Ohmans, Health Advocates Press.
- Spending a year on a foreign beach as a "health volunteer" will not help you as much as a few focused months in a quality internship.
- Opportunities that contribute to your professional development allow you to strengthen and apply a specific skill set or type of knowledge.
- When researching options, ask yourself: "What skills or knowledge will I gain and practice during the experience?" "How might these skills and knowledge apply to my career goals?"
- These experiences are not just resume fillers, but rather your chance to demonstrate and confirm your interest, motivation, and commitment to the field.
- International experience can yield excellent networking opportunities, often leading to contacts that can be critical to furthering your career
- Invaluable experience, limited financial rewards. ( show/hide.)
- Most internships are unpaid or provide small stipends (some may include housing or airfare, others may not cover any costs). The Peace Corps, for example, is a twenty-seven month commitment and covers living, medical, and other basic expenses.
- Think about an overseas experience as an investment in your career that will have returns over time. While these opportunities may present financial challenges, high-quality international experiences have the potential to hone your skills and launch your global health career.
- Organizations such as the American Refugee Committee and the International Rescue Committee, encourage job applicants to volunteer with them before considering them for employment.
- Seek out alternative sources to fund your internship, such as church groups, family members, travel scholarships or your alma mater. Check out these starting points: http://www.globalhealth-ec.org/GHEC/Resources/GHonline.htm#Introduction and http://worktraveleatsleep.wordpress.com/ .
- When outside constraints limit your ability to intern or volunteer overseas. ( show/hide.)
- Consider working domestically with underserved communities, such as refugee populations and in cross-cultural settings most applicable to an international environment.
- Local non-profit, faith-based and voluntary organizations provide such opportunities.
- Network. Join relevant organizations that will keep you in the loop and motivated.
It’s not too late to gain international experience crucial to furthering your global health career. Check out our list of organizations and their websites for potential opportunities.
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