Jobs and Internships
The information below is provided to aid you in finding an internship or obtaining a job in international development.
Published: Tuesday, July 10, 2007
While students are encouraged to participate in internships, they are not part of the IDS major, and unit credit received will not be applied towards the major. Units obtained, however, can apply towards your degree.
International development as a field is large and diverse. Development professionals generally work in the areas of micro-enterprise, urban planning, health, environment, relief, urban development, private sector development, and social development (e.g., human rights, education), among others. Click on the following link for more information on the variety of Career Options in International Development Studies.
The International Development Studies major hopes to promote learning both inside and outside of the classroom. Through coursework, IDS students are exposed to international development theory, develop their critical thinking skills, and learn to articulate their own thoughts and ideas about the pressing issues in the field. This learning is complimented and enhanced by experience outside the classroom, including internships, work experience, study abroad, and research opportunities. Practical field experience before graduation is essential for developing a career in development and can help you establish important contacts and relationships that may be helpful to you throughout your career.
Getting Started
To find the right internship or volunteer work experience for you, answer the following questions: What kind of work do you enjoy? In what specific area of development would you like to pursue a career (public health, planning, finance, human rights, education, environment, etc.)? What skills do you have or need to acquire to meet you career objective and how will the internship help you meet those goals (field work, practical experience, opportunities for networking or building professional relationships)? What kind of institution do you want to work with? Do you have an interest in a particular geographical area or issue area? When do you want to do this internship? Are you willing to gain experience by volunteering alone, or are you only seeking paid internships?
Once you have answered these questions, talk to other IDS students who have had internships and look out for campus announcements about non-governmental organizations (NGOs), non-profits, and inter-governmental organizations (IGOs).
You may also want to check out these references, many of which are available at the UCLA Career Center:
- Alternatives to the Peace Corps: A Directory of Third World and the US Volunteer Opportunities
- International Directory of Volunteer Work
- Channels: A Guide to 3rd Sector Projects
- Organizations and Work Opportunities in the New Independent States
- InterAction Membership Directory
- Directory of International Economic Organizations
There are Job Subscription services available through International Career Employment Weekly, Current Jobs International, UN Listings, Monday Developments, Women in International Security and The Chronicle of Philanthropy. Accessing alumni listings through UCLA can be a useful method for networking and obtaining leads. You may also find organizations to contact under the Nonprofit and International headings in The Encyclopedia of Associations, which lists trade groups and professional associations by industry. For jobs in the private sector, check out www.Fortune.com for companies with an interest in development.
- UCLA Resources
- Governmental Organizations
- Intergovernmental Organizations
- International / General Development
- Environment
- Economics / Trade / Labor / Agriculture
- Health
- Relief / Food Aid / Community Development
- Education / Training / Technology
- Policy / Law / Human Rights
- Websites With Convenient Links
UCLA Resources
There are several UCLA-based internship programs that you can get involved with, many of which offer credit.
UCLA Center for Community Learning (formerly CEESL): Offers students opportunities for individualized education by connecting their service, career, and personal interests with academics.
UCLA Career Center: The Internship Programs were created to provide students with the opportunity to work for elected officials, government agencies, public interest groups, international organizations, the arts, media, and a wide range of public and private enterprises.
Through the National Internship Program, internships have been arranged with the White House, U.S. House of Representatives, the Senate, California Legislature, CNN, Amnesty International, and a host of other organizations. Internships to Washington D.C. are offered every quarter throughout the year. Internships to Sacramento are offered only during the summer. There are extensive resources for New York and San Francisco in addition to resources for a number of other U.S. cities. You can also identify other resources to do an internship search for the city of your choice. The UCLA Career Center staff also offers individual and group advising to students on a wide array of international opportunities such as: international internships, study abroad programs, volunteer positions, short-term work abroad, teaching abroad, international scholarships, and international traveling.
In addition to the Career Center's counseling services, which can assist students in identifying their skills and interests as they relate to seeking internship experience, and online services, it also offers a number an extensive library. Visit their library to review internship related references such as "America's Top 100 Internships," "The Complete Guide to Washington Internships," "Student's Guide to Southern California Internships," and others.
UCLA Center for American Politics and Public Policy (CAPPP): CAPPP selects 25 to 30 undergraduates each fall and spring to participate in its Quarter in Washington, D.C. Program, which offers an opportunity to combine UCLA courses with research and field experience in areas directly related to the policy-making process of the federal government, including placements in such locations as the American Enterprise Institute, CNN, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and the Justice Department. Call CAPPP for further information and for applications. Past IDS participants in the CAPPP Program have interned with the World Bank and Amnesty International.
UCLA School of Public Policy and Social Research Career Services: Access to online databases focusing on career opportunities (full-time and part-time positions) as well as internships in the area of public policy and social research.
UCLA International Education Office (IEO): Students studying abroad can become involved in internships, community service, and field study opportunities while abroad. Opportunities include volunteering for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or social welfare groups, working for industry giants like CNN and Samsung, designing and undertaking independent research projects, and conducting field study.
Community Programs Office: (105 Student Activities Center; 825-5969) CPO houses 24 student-initiated community support projects encompassing educational, legal, health, and academic services to the underserved communities in Los Angeles. Programs include: African Education Project, Asian Pacific Legal Services, Incarcerated Youth Tutorial Project, and Raza Artists del Pueblo, among others. CPO Academic Support Projects include: Black Pre-Health, Black Pre-Law, and Latino Pre-Law.
Community Service Commission: (408 Kerkhoff Hall; 825-2333) The Commission, which is the largest branch of undergraduate student government, is comprised of over 20 student-initiated service projects, including: Amigos del Barrio, Hunger Project, Prison Coalition, Special Olympics, and Vietnamese Refugee Aid Committee.
Listed below are websites with information about internship and volunteer opportunities outside of UCLA that might be especially interesting to IDS majors. Note that some of them provide comprehensive lists with convenient links; take some time to thoroughly explore them. If you find any great links along the way, let us know at idps@international.ucla.edu. Help us refine and streamline this list, too. Good luck in your search!
Governmental Organizations
Organization / Search Engine |
Fields |
Location / Duration |
|---|---|---|
|
Center for California Studies: Executive Fellowship Program (also see Jesse M. Unruh Assembly Fellowship Program) |
State government: placement of offices of Governor's executive branch: Health and Welfare Agency, the Department of Finance, the Department of Social Services, the Governor's Office, the California Environmental Protection Agency, and the Office of the State Treasurer |
Sacramento / 1 year $1,882 / month plus benefits |
|
Environmental Science |
Washington D.C. and regional offices -- full-time (summer) or part-time (school year) |
|
|
Political Campaign Interns: Search Government internships under Bruin View |
Campaign development |
Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and California |
|
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID): Volunteer Student Intern Program |
All fields relating to economic development |
Washington, D.C. and global |
|
Business or Public Administration, Social Work, Economics, Information Management, Journalism, and the Biological and Physical Sciences |
Washington, D.C. or at Embassies / Consulates abroad / 1 semester or summer |
|
|
USA Jobs. U.S. Office of Personnel Management |
All Federal Government: Search:
Co-Operative Education
Summer jobs with U.S. land-management agencies such as the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management
|
U.S. |
Intergovernmental Organizations
Organization / Search Engine |
Fields |
Location / Duration |
|---|---|---|
|
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) |
Food Security, Rural Development |
Global |
|
Employment, economics and statistics, labour law and labour relations, social security and conditions of work, management development, small industry development, occupational safety and health, vocational rehabilitation, vocational training, gender and development studies, elimination of child labour, social protection, information technology, human resources, financial and budget studies |
Geneva, Switzerland, or Field Offices |
|
|
Permanent Mission of Italy to International Organizations in Geneva |
All fields |
Global |
|
International children's health and well-being: Advocacy and Fundraising |
Los Angeles, semester or longer |
|
|
United Nations Development Program Internship Program |
All fields relating to Economic Development |
Global- pursue opportunities through country offices abroad |
|
United Nations Development Program: UN Volunteers |
Disaster Relief, Development, Micro-finance, Environmental Science, Public Health |
Global |
|
World Bank Internship Program / Young Professional Program / Junior Professionals Program |
All fields relating to economic development |
Washington, D.C. |
International / General Development
Organization / Search Engine |
Fields |
Location / Duration |
|---|---|---|
|
All agriculture, rural finance, community development, business management |
Overseas / 2-4 weeks (some 1-2 month assignments) |
|
|
Law, international politics, international human rights law, international relations, intergovernmental organizations |
London, Geneva, New York / 6 months |
|
|
Council on International Educational Exchange Work / Volunteer Abroad Programs |
All fields |
Global |
|
Microfinance/Microenterprise, Health, Environment, Gender Equity, Human Rights, Community Development, Youth and Education |
8-52 Week internship in Nicaragua, Argentina, Bolivia, India, Kenya, Uganda |
|
|
Education, Child Care, Construction, Public Health |
Global and U.S. |
|
|
Idealist -- Action without Borders |
All fields |
Global |
|
Retail sales, supermarkets, hotels/restaurants, agriculture, offices, hospitals, banks, computer science, engineering, marketing, recreation, and teaching |
Belgium, Finland, Germany, Japan, Singapore and Switzerland / 1-3 months |
|
|
International Jobs Database |
All fields |
Global |
|
Employment, economics and statistics, labour law and labour relations, social security and conditions of work, management development, small industry development, occupational safety and health, vocational rehabilitation, vocational training, gender and development studies, elimination of child labour, social protection, information technology, human resources, financial and budget studies |
Geneva, Switzerland, or Field Offices |
|
|
Registered Nurses, Physicians, Psychosocial Advisors, Emergency Medicine Personnel, Public Health, Program Directors, Finance Officers, Nurse Practitioners, Logistics and Administrative Officers |
Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Indonesia, Iraq, Kenya, Liberia, Pakistan, Russia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, and Uganda. 2 months or longer |
|
|
Environmental Protection, Human Rights Advocacy |
Berkeley, CA, and international: Africa, India, Asia, Southeast Asia, Latin America |
|
|
All fields |
Global |
|
|
Teaching English as a Second Language |
Japan / 1 year |
|
|
All fields relating to development |
Washington, D.C., and international |
|
|
Democracy, Policy, Law |
Cape Town, South Africa |
|
|
Education, Business, Environment, Agriculture, Health, Community Development |
Global |
|
|
Social Marketing for HIV/AIDS awareness, Public Health and Health Education |
Washington, D.C., Europe, Eurasia, Haiti / 1-2 semesters |
|
|
International labor issues, social services, trade unions |
Brussels, Belgium |
|
|
All fields |
Africa, various countries |
|
|
Global corruption, democratic / transitional governance, civil society |
Berlin, Germany |
|
|
United Nations Development Program Internship Program |
All fields relating to Economic Development |
Global- pursue opportunities through country offices abroad |
|
United Nations Development Program: UN Volunteers |
Disaster Relief, Development, Micro-finance, Environmental Science, Public Health |
Global |
|
All fields |
Africa, various countries |
|
|
All fields |
Global and U.S. |
|
|
English-language education and English-language resource development |
China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Singapore, Vietnam, U.S. / 1-2 year assignments |
Environment
Organization / Search Engine |
Fields |
Location / Duration |
|---|---|---|
|
Center for Environmental Citizenship's Earth Net Database |
Environment and Sustainable Development |
U.S. |
|
Environment, Advocacy |
Los Angeles |
|
|
All Fields relating to Development |
Global: sorted by World Region- excellent in-country contact information |
|
|
Environmental Careers Organization -- Sustainable Communities Leadership Program |
Urban Planning, Sustainable Development, Affordable Housing |
California -- 12-24 weeks |
|
Environmental Careers Organization Internship Database |
Environmental Science |
U.S. |
|
Graduate Program in International Political Economy and Development (IPED) at Fordham University's Database |
All Fields relating to Development |
Global |
|
Green Corps: Environmental Leadership Training Program |
Environment and Sustainable Development |
Boston and U.S.- 1-year |
|
Environmental Activism |
U.S. |
|
|
Environmental Protection, Human Rights Advocacy |
Berkeley, CA, and international |
|
|
Population Institute -- Future Leaders of the World Fellowship |
Population growth, family planning, environment |
Washington D.C.- 1 year |
|
Reef Check Foundation |
Environment: Coral Reef Preservation |
Los Angeles |
|
Sustainable Development |
Belize- 8 weeks |
|
|
Tufts University Development Links |
All Fields relating to Development |
Global |
|
United Nations Development Program: UN Volunteers |
Disaster Relief, Development, Micro-finance, Environmental Science, Public Health |
Global |
Economics / Trade / Labor / Agriculture
Organization / Search Engine |
Fields |
Location / Duration |
|---|---|---|
|
Microfinance, small loans to self-employed poor |
Boston |
|
|
All agriculture, rural finance, community development, business management |
Overseas / 2-4 weeks (some 1-2 month assignments) |
|
|
Art, Education and Communications, Economic and Social Change, Environment and Health Advocacy, Social Justice and Human Rights
|
Washington, D.C., New York City / 10 weeks |
|
|
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) |
Food Security, Rural Development |
Global |
|
Asia, Africa, Latin America: food security, indigenous people's rights, labor issues, micro-credit, popular participation, women's empowerment, youth action |
San Francisco |
|
|
Employment, economics and statistics, labor law and labor relations, social security and conditions of work, management development, small industry development, occupational safety and health, vocational rehabilitation, vocational training, gender and development studies, elimination of child labor, social protection, information technology, human resources, financial and budget studies |
Geneva, Switzerland, or Field Offices |
|
|
Microfinance Gateway Database |
Microfinance |
International / U.S. |
|
Economic Development- information exchange |
Washington, D.C. / 3 months or more |
|
|
International labor issues, social services, trade unions |
Brussels, Belgium |
|
|
United Nations Development Program: UN Volunteers |
Disaster Relief, Development, Micro-finance, Environmental Science, Public Health |
Global |
|
Community Development |
Los Angeles |
Health
Organization / Search Engine |
Fields |
Location / Duration |
|---|---|---|
|
Public Health, Asian community |
Los Angeles |
|
|
African Refugees, Domestic Violence Prevention, Community Health Education |
Los Angeles |
|
|
Public Health, AIDS/HIV Community Education / Outreach |
Los Angeles |
|
|
Public Health, Latino Community |
Los Angeles |
|
|
CEDPA: Center for Development and Population Activities |
Women's Reproductive Health, Family Planning |
Washington, D.C. |
|
Global Health Council Internship Program |
International Health Facilities -- Information and Resource Development |
Washington, D.C. and White River Junction, VT -- semester or summer |
|
HIV/AIDS, women's health, international public health |
Washington, D.C. |
|
|
Registered Nurses, Physicians, Psychosocial Advisors, Emergency Medicine Personnel, Public Health, Program Directors, Finance Officers, Nurse Practitioners, Logistics and Administrative Officers |
Global / 2 months or longer |
|
|
Public Health and Health Education |
Los Angeles |
|
|
Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) -- L.A. Chapter |
International Public Health |
Los Angeles |
|
Disaster Relief, International Public Health, Medical Supply Procurement |
Port of Los Angeles |
|
|
Public Health, Reproductive Health and Education |
Los Angeles |
|
|
International Public Health, Health Education |
New York, Washington, D.C., (international?) |
|
|
Population Institute -- Future Leaders of the World Fellowship |
Population growth, family planning, environment |
Washington D.C.- 1 year |
|
Social Marketing for HIV/AIDS awareness, Public Health and Health Education |
Washington, D.C., Europe, Eurasia, Haiti / 1-2 semesters |
|
|
HIV/AIDS, International Public Health, Africa |
Los Angeles, Africa |
|
|
United Nations Development Program: UN Volunteers |
Disaster Relief, Development, Micro-finance, Environmental Science, Public Health |
Global |
Relief / Food Aid / Community Development
Organization / Search Engine |
Fields |
Location / Duration |
|---|---|---|
|
All fields relating to domestic community development |
U.S., 10 months -- 1 year |
|
|
Housing, Community Development |
Los Angeles |
|
|
Community Development, Tutoring |
Los Angeles |
|
|
Domestic Violence Prevention, Pacific Asian Community Development |
Los Angeles |
|
|
Translation (Cantonese), Community Outreach, Tutoring |
Los Angeles |
|
|
Community Development, Public Service / 9 months |
Los Angeles |
|
|
Human Rights, East Timor, Indonesia, Advocacy work |
Los Angeles |
|
|
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) |
Food Security, Rural Development |
Global |
|
Food security, human rights |
Oakland, "virtual" internships |
|
|
Housing development for low-income communities, public outreach |
Los Angeles |
|
|
Inter Action: American Council for Voluntary International Action Database: |
Refugee Relief |
Various |
|
Disaster Relief, International Public Health, Medical Supply Procurement |
Port of Los Angeles |
|
|
Community Development |
Los Angeles / 10-month apprenticeship |
|
|
Rav Tov Committee to Aid New Immigrants - Hayim Tovim Adult Day Care Center
Mr. Uri Mayerfeld |
English language training, social work, Persian immigrant community development |
Los Angeles |
|
Disaster Relief, Humanitarian Aid |
Westwood, Los Angeles |
|
|
United Nations Development Program: UN Volunteers |
Disaster Relief, Development, Micro-finance, Environmental Science, Public Health |
Global |
|
Community Development |
Los Angeles |
Education / Training / Technology
Organization / Search Engine |
Fields |
Location / Duration |
|---|---|---|
|
Global education, health education and communication technology |
Washington D.C. / Ongoing |
|
|
America-Mideast Educational and Training Services (AMIDEAST) |
Arab/Middle East studies, international education or international development |
Washington, D.C. / semester or summer |
|
Internet policy; "Cyber-liberties" advocacy, free expression and privacy in global communications technology |
Washington, D.C. |
|
|
Education / Academic Advising to international students about U.S. education |
Overseas- contact individual overseas offices |
|
|
Public school teaching, community development |
U.S. |
|
|
Training and Capacity Building in Computer/Internet Technology / Development |
Global |
|
|
English-language education and English-language resource development |
China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Singapore, Vietnam, U.S. / 1-2 year assignments |
Policy / Law / Human Rights
Organization / Search Engine |
Fields |
Location / Duration |
|---|---|---|
|
Amnesty International: Legal and International Organizations Program Internship Program |
Law, international politics, international human rights law, international relations, intergovernmental organizations |
London, Geneva, New York / 6 months |
|
Legal dispute / conflict resolution, Asian Pacific community development |
Los Angeles |
|
|
Internet policy; "Cyber-liberties" advocacy, free expression and privacy in global communications technology |
Washington, D.C. |
|
|
Public policy think tank; policy research |
Washington, D.C. |
|
|
CHIRLA: Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles |
Immigrant Rights Advocacy, Immigration Law |
Los Angeles |
|
Art, Education and Communications, Economic and Social Change, Environment and Health Advocacy, Social Justice and Human Rights |
Washington, D.C., New York City / 10 weeks |
|
|
Institute for Women's Policy Research (IWPR): -Mariam K. Chamberlain Fellowship (9-12 months) $1600 / mth. + benefits - IWPR/GW Fellowship in Women's Public Policy Research $10,000 stipend and tuition and fees for graduate study at George Washington University |
Equal opportunity, economic and social justice for women |
Washington, D.C. |
|
New Voices National Fellowship Program: Ford Foundation and Academy for Educational Development- |
Foreign policy, international economic policy, peace and security, international human rights, women's rights, racial justice, migrant and refugee rights |
U.S. |
|
Democracy, Policy, Law |
Cape Town, South Africa |
|
|
Political Campaign Interns: Search Government internships under Bruin View |
Campaign development |
Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and California |
|
Multiple internships for college students interested in social and economic justice, peacebuilding, international diplomacy |
Pennsylvania, U.S. |
|
|
Voting outreach |
Los Angeles |
|
|
Poor and working class people's rights |
Los Angeles |
|
|
Transparency, Democratic governance |
Berlin, Germany |
|
|
Business or Public Administration, Social Work, Economics, Information Management, Journalism, and the Biological and Physical Sciences |
Washington, D.C. or at Embassies / Consulates abroad / 1 semester or summer |
|
|
International Affairs, Gender Issues, Security |
Global |
Websites with Convenient Links
Idealist.org. Search for over 37,000 nonprofit and community organizations in 165 countries, which you can search or browse by name, location or mission.
VolunteerMatch is a nonprofit, online service that helps interested volunteers get involved with community service organizations throughout the United States
Intern Abroad is committed to providing the most comprehensive international education and alternative travel databases. Information on travel, study and internships abroad.
Job Web. Resources for U.S. Students Going Abroad. Career development and job search website by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
Baido.org List of international development organizations in the Bay Area
Guide to Internships Abroad. This page contains links to related web sites, as well as listings of some of the more well-known programs that exist.
The Institute for Global Communications lists employment openings, internships, and volunteer positions for a wide variety of NGOs.
Virtual Library International Affairs Resources. Links for study, work and internships abroad.
The Payson Center for International Development and Technology Transfer list. Great links to internship and volunteer opportunities. Special link to volunteer programs in Africa.
faayda.com. Great source for Jobs in India.
Jobs 4 Development . Search engine for international development jobs and consulting opportunities.
DevnetJobs International Development jobs and consulting opportunities
Go Volunteer Abroad Search engine for jobs, internships, and opportunities abroad.
Note: This is a work-in-progress. Your feedback is very important, so let us know which sites are more or less useful to you as you search for the right work experience. Also, let us know if and when you do get an internship as we'd love to hear about it! Please e-mail us at idps@international.ucla.edu. Thanks, and good luck in your search!
