Many young people are desperate to work in the sector, but how do you decide which roles suit you most? Help is at hand – explore our development flow chart
Now you've explored the flow chart, read the explainers with tips on what to do next.
Join a communications team
Good comms people don't grow on trees. They can make the difference between stagnant research and hard-hitting policy change, and your passion for networking and sharing ideas makes you perfect for the job. You'll be the one to build relationships with other development groups, journalists, policymakers and members of the community to make sure your work has the most impact. All the while you'll be blogging, interviewing, planning and tweeting all things #globaldev.
Prepare for those interviews – get clued up on how social media can work best for development and how to build a killer comms strategy. You might want to look into how to make an interactive documentary or read what the experts think about keeping development communication dignified and free from poverty porn.
Apply for research or programme roles
You're the one at parties who, after a few drinks, starts talking about econometric modelling or some frontier immigration research that's "actually changed policy". Nothing gets you going like a well-stocked library or peer-reviewed journal. You want to apply your research skills, policy knowledge and everything else you learned at university to the 'real world' – that's what it was all for, right?
Boost your chances of nailing that dream research job by reading what the experts say about how to improve research access and uptake, and how to package it best for policymakers. Want to get more technical? Then get your chops around these tips on impact evaluation andmeasuring the millennium development goals.
Get into fundraising
You know how the world works: money is influence and influence is money. Both are key to development. After all, none of the world's charities, research or international agencies would function without them. You'll fit perfectly in an outreach or fundraising team, where you can help people spend their money on a worthwhile cause by finding them, engaging them, schmoozing and building relationships with them.
Securing funding can be a subtle art. Get ahead of the game with these expert insider tips on giving and receiving development grants. It would also be worth reading about how philanthropists are focusing on the impact their money has, and how money from the private sector is being used to help fund new development ideas.
Get another qualification
Don't get rid of those old ring binder folders just yet, you're going Back2Skool. You like the idea of working in development, but to find your niche and reach your potential you need to invest in further study. Let's face it, postgraduate degrees have their benefits. They give you the time and guidance to specialise in a subject, the skills to apply for research roles and the opportunity to make like-minded friends, who will be valuable both personally and professionally in years to come. Also, most development jobs require them these days, so it's not a bad idea.
Take a look at these tips from the experts on how to go from 'getting in' to 'getting ahead' in development, with advice on internships and qualifications, and tune into the Guardian Global Development desk's monthly online chat for students studying development.
For any women out there who want to make their mark in development and smash through the glass ceiling in the process, see this roundup of expert advice on the challenges and opportunities for women in the sector.
Become an activist
Isn't it amazing how many people go on living their lives without seeming to notice or care about all the outrageous things that are wrong with the world? Injustice, inequality and ignorance put fires in your belly, and you want everyone to know it. You feel that the best way to solve problems is to wake people up to them and disrupt the system.
See how different forms of activism and advocacy can make a difference with these tips on mastering the complex processes that lead to change. Mobilising different members of society can be key to successful campaigns, as these blogs on girl-centred advocacy and campaigning against human trafficking point out.
For the data hacks among you, study these expert tips on promoting access to information and see how two Slovakian students made their government's data more accessible and usable for activists. And don't overlook the issues funding can raise, see this blog on why depending on state support can limit how some NGOs can campaign.
Become an aid worker
Your passion for development goes beyond reading articles and meeting like-minded people. You, my friend, were a born aid worker. You want to explore new places, see aid and development impacts first hand and commit to being a part of delivering them on the ground where they're urgently needed.
While many would agree that humanitarian work is the most fulfilling in the sector, many would also agree it's the most demanding. Prepare yourself physically and emotionally by reading advice from the experts onstaying safe in the field and dealing with aidworker burnout.
Read the issues faced by humanitarian conflict zones, and how far they engage in politics. See how local partnerships can help when working on the ground and how mobile phones can be used best for humanitarian projects and how best to invest in refugees.
Volunteer
You like the idea of 'giving back' but you're not sure where to start, or can't 'give up your life' – and there's no shame in that. You want to travel and experience new things, but you're not ready to commit to anything long-term. A voluntary placement in a developing country could be a good first step. It would give you the chance to travel, help out and learn while getting ideas about what you want to do next.
Make sure your voluntary placement is worthwhile. Choose one that appeals to you, but is also well-managed and has a positive impact on the community it aims to support. It's important that the agency staff arewell-trained and able to support both volunteers and partners in developing countries. For advice on how to pick out the best organisation, and make the most of your voluntary placement, see these tips from experts in the sector.
Think again
Saving the world would be great, wouldn't it? You'd get to feel all warm and smug, and everyone would be so grateful. Well ... hate to break it to you, but none of us are going to save the world. But don't despair, there are small steps we can all take towards making parts of the world work a bit better – and that can start much closer to home. Poverty and inequality doesn't only exist 'over there'. Experience and maturity counts for a lot, so why not do something you're passionate about for a few years? You'll be surprised how your journey might lead you back to development. After all, the majority of the leaders we've interviewed worked in different sectors before making their mark.
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