Education for a Humanitarian Job
- Humanitarian organizations employ "specialists" to fulfill their missions and goals. For example, a humanitarian organization that focuses on health care delivery employs doctors, nurses and other health care specialists. A humanitarian organization focusing on microfinance employs economists and banking and microfinance specialists. Humanitarian organizations also employ "generalists" who support their core programs. For example, both a health care and microfinance organizations need an executive director, program managers, administrative assistants, web developers and fundraisers.
- Obtaining a humanitarian job generally requires a bachelor's degree. A bachelor's degree in nonprofit management provides students with the knowledge and skill set necessary to become a management generalist. Undergraduate degrees in social work, the social sciences, public policy, public administration, business, economics, health, foreign languages and liberal arts constitute adequate preparation for those intending to obtain employment as implementers of the core programs of humanitarian organizations.
- A certificate enhances humanitarian workers' education and employability. Humanitarian workers may pursue certification as an alternative to, or part of, a graduate program. Graduate schools and government agencies grant certifications while professional associations may accredit certificate-granting institutions. An example of a certification as part of a graduate program is the Certificate in Geographic Information Systems within a geography master's program. Examples of certification outside of a graduate programs are Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional Certification, Certificate in Volunteer Administration and Certification for English Teaching for Adults. Examples of professional associations that accredit academic programs to offer courses leading to a license or license renewal are the National Association of Social Workers and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Some fields, such as social work, require a certificate or license.
- Senior or management positions in humanitarian organizations may require graduate degrees either in management or more specialized fields, depending on the core programs of the concerned organizations. These degrees may include a nonprofit-focused MBA or MA in Development Management or a doctorate in specialized fields. For example, a 2011 Idealist.org job posting by the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation for a senior vice president of business investments position requires an MBA or a CPA education. UMEZ is a nonprofit corporation that aims to revitalize the Upper Manhattan Economy through investments. A 2011 job posting on the same website by the ALS Therapy Development Institute for a science writer position requires a doctorate in neuroscience or a closely related medical field. ALS TDI is a Massachusetts-based nonprofit that develops effective therapeutics that slow or stop amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
