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Esther Waters, 2007 MIA Graduate with a concentration in Human Rights / Humanitarian Affairs
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Esther graduated in 2007 and is now a Gender Issues Program Manager at Geneva Call.
Could you walk us through your employment history?
“I worked in private sector banking for 5 years (in London, bits in Cairo, Egypt). I found I wasn’t fulfilled by the private sector so, to supplement it, I did lots of volunteering - mainly with the British Red Cross refugee team. Then I went to SIPA and this is my first job since graduating.”
How has your SIPA degree helped your career?
“There is no way I could do my job or would have been able to get my job without my SIPA degree! SIPA is well known in Geneva and the courses I took help me with all aspects of my work and were part of the reason I was recruited.”
If you could do it over again, is there anything you would have done differently while at SIPA?
“YES! I would have worried MUCH less about grades (they mean NOTHING in my field) and done an internship every semester. I also would have registered for independent study and done more focused research projects in Africa. I also would have taken a few more courses at Mailman (there were so many more courses relevant to my field that I didn't take and am now kicking myself!)”
What top 3 recommendations would you give to current students interested in career opportunities in your field?
1. “Network!!! Without doing so you are unlikely to get even an interview. Chat with all your professors about your career plans, get them to keep their ears open for opportunities. Attend events at Columbia and the UN and talk to as many people as you can. Join professional networks (the SIPA Women's Humanitarian Network is great for women) and attend conferences on countries you're interested in.”
2. “Be an intern. You really have to swallow your pride and offer your services (sometimes for free) if you like an organization and you don't have a good set of contracts within the organization.”
3. “Be creative and don't give up! Often in the NGO world funding is up-in-the-air. If a position you are hoping for is on hold because an organization is waiting for funds, rather than wait until the funds come through, offer yourself as a fundraising consultant for a set period.”
“My organization offered me the job but said that I'd have to wait because they were waiting for funds. I offered to come on board for 6 weeks and help chase the funds, draw up new proposals and approach new donors. I was able to help my organization diversify its donor mix and raise funds for my role. If I hadn't offered myself as a consultant for a fixed fee to help raise the funds, I'd still be waiting at home now for the previously earmarked funds to be transferred from donors.”