I’m often asked which graduate program I would recommend to help people break into ICT4D. People are shocked when I answer, “none”. From what I can tell, a graduate degree isn’t worth the 2 years and $100K.

You’d be better off spending both volunteering with a local NGO in the field, getting hands-on skills and networking directly with digital development practitioners.

So what to do if you want to build your skills, and network with practitioners, without leaving your current job? Take a TechChange course!

Specificly, I hilghly recommend the 16-week TechChange Online Diploma Program in Tech for Monitoring and Evaluation for 3 reasons:

1. This course will set you apart with high-value skills. Every job has a M&E component, and every organization needs people skilled in M&E Tech.
2. This course is very interactive. You will network with peers who will have influence on hiring decisions as organizations you want to work for.
3. This course is fun. Yes, really – the TechChange team works hard to make it easy for you to enjoy learning online when its convenient for you.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up today!

Good luck!
Wayan

That’s a comment I received recently by someone looking at my LinkedIn profile. They were recruiting for an ICT4D practitioner role at a major research institute, and they were not impressed by my many jobs.

Its true that I’ve changed employers every 2-3 years, usually because the organization or my role changed and it was time to move on. I’ve never really left on bad terms, and I am actually good friends with many of my ex-colleagues – this industry is too small not to be!

What’s the right tenure length?

Different fields have different expectations of tenure. In government and academia (where tenure used to literally mean 10 years), moving more than once a decade is rash, while in the technology field, moving companies less than every few years makes you suspect.

International development is somewhere in between. With project work, moving organizations every 2-3 years is normal, yet it’s also good to have longer stretches of 4-5 years just to show you can also survive project transitions. Hence my goal to stay at FHI 360 for at least 5 years. Plus, its a great place to work!

Best are solid explanations

Overall, while it does matter that you can show the right tenure length for your field, its best to have honest, yet flattering reasons why you moved from one role to the next. If you need q diplomatic answer to a job change, you can say, “the expectations of the role shifted, and I wanted new opportunities for growth.”

Whatever you do, don’t lie – that will come back to haunt you – but you don’t have to be brutally honest either. Also, never, ever talk bad about a past employer to a potential new one. They know one day you’ll be an ex-employee too.

Good luck!
Wayan

Rarely do I see so many dream digital development jobs comes up at once, but two teams in the Center for Digital Development at the USAID Global Development Lab are looking for candidates. I do hope you check these out, apply for the ones you like, and forward on the rest to your friends.

FHI360 is hiring for three roles in Washington, DC to support USAID. If you apply, be sure to list me as your referral so I can put in a good word for you:

• Consultant Lead for an Adaptive Management Toolbox
• Project Coordinator for Real Time Data for Adaptive Management
• ICT4D Technical Expert for Development Informatics

USAID is hiring for five other positions in DC and around the world through other contracting firms:

• Program Assistant, Development Informatics Team
• HIS Lead (Digital Health), Ebola Recovery Team
• Liberia ICT Advisor, Ebola Recovery Team
• Sierra Leone ICT Advisor, Ebola Recovery Team
• Guinea ICT Advisor, Ebola Recovery Team

Here is more information and resumes will be accepted through Friday, August 8th at 5pm, but qualified candidates are encouraged to apply early. Candidates may apply for multiple positions, but should apply separately for each.

Good luck!
Wayan