Look for things that you feel like you could help to improve. If there is a lower income community in your area, think about what types of things you could do that could improve their standard of living.
Look for a cause that you feel strongly about and volunteer your time at a local organization to help. Humanitarian work can be done anywhere in the world, including your own neighborhood. Try using websites like http://www. idealist. com to find local organizations that need volunteers.
Make sure to speak to your manager for permission before starting a program at work. Reach out to local shelters and humanitarian organizations to see what is in high demand that you can attempt to help with.
You can share content posted by your favorite humanitarian organizations. Posting your own message about important causes with links to donate may help your message to reach people.
Consistent humanitarian work can help you to develop a relationship with the people in your community that you are helping, which can be more rewarding for you both. Every bit of your work counts. Over time, a few hours out of your Sunday afternoons can compound into a significant change for the people in your area.
Approach humanitarian work with a mindset of giving, helping, and hope to improve the world around you. Don’t focus on what you can gain from your effort, focus on what your community can gain.
It’s important that you learn to show empathy for all people. Valuing human welfare can help you to overcome the discomfort of helping people in difficult situations and environments.
It is not uncommon for people to grow up with misconceptions about groups of people they have never met, but you must actively engage and overcome these ideas. A humanitarian values all human life equally and works to alleviate suffering equally worldwide.
Carrying yourself in a professional manner means maintaining an ethical standard and demonstrating respect for all you encounter. Being professional also means following the local laws and regulations as well as those enforced by your organization.
Meeting new people and facing new issues can be a way of life for humanitarians. Embracing the experiences that are inherent to these challenges can help you to overcome them.
You may want to consider volunteering in the same field you work in. Whether you work on a construction site or in a cubicle, there’s likely an organization in need of your skill set. Consider what other skills you possess that may be helpful. Skills like leadership, problem solving, or any technical skill are always in high demand.
Marine Conservation Wildlife Conservation Teaching and Education Community Development Healthcare Environmental Conservation
Find volunteer opportunities online in databases like the one found here: http://www. workingabroad. com/database Once you find an organization you like, look for news stories about it online. It can help you to better understand the organization and shed light on any issues the organization has had recently.
Look for contact information on the webpage of the organization you choose. Ask questions to make sure you have all of your important concerns addressed like how you will travel there, where you will stay and what expenses are involved.
Try using a fundraising website like GoFundMe. com or Classy. org to raise money for your trip. Ask friends, family and coworkers to help support your cause by donating toward the cost of your trip. Write letters to business owners or individuals in your community that you think may be willing to help.
Make sure your coordinator tells you what kind of traveling you can expect to do and in what regions of the world so you can appropriately prepare for the trip. You may want to have a dental checkup before you leave as well, to ensure your trip is not hindered by an unexpected dental emergency.
Sharing your experiences can help encourage others to volunteer their time and skills as well. The experience you gain as a volunteer can also help lead to a career in humanitarian service.
Advanced degrees in engineering, accounting, or other in demand fields are always sought after. A master’s degree or higher in humanitarian related fields such as food security is a great way to get in the door.
Make sure to list any volunteer experience you have in humanitarian endeavors. Create a cover letter that speaks to your passion about the organization you apply to, as well as the cause they support.
Try visiting Reliefweb. int, Trust. org or DevNetJobs. org for international humanitarian job postings. If there is a particular organization you have in mind, look on their website for open positions.
Make sure to dress appropriately for your interview. You should wear a suit or a suit with a skirt and have good hygiene. Be professional and confident in order to leave a a good impression with the interviewer.
Take the opportunity to network with people within the organization and better understand how it goes about its humanitarian work. Remember that every person counts in terms of helping the cause. After time, you may be able to transfer to field work.
