Top Ten Tips for a Career in the Human Rights Field
What are some of the most important steps towards finding a job in the human rights field? A few weeks ago, the Institute for the Study of Human Rights (ISHR) at Columbia University hosted a career panel aimed at answering this question.
Five panelists were present to talk about their experiences in the human rights field:
Zselyke Csaky: Senior Researcher, Nations in Transit, Freedom House
Justin Mazzola: Deputy Director of Research, Amnesty International USA
Debbie Sharnak: PhD candidate, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Adjunct Professor, Center for Global Affairs, New York University
Allison Tamer: Development Officer, American Jewish World Service; Alumna of the Human Rights Studies M.A. Program
Alexandra Yuster: Associate Director, Social Inclusion and Policy, UNICEF
Here are our top ten takeaways.
Acquiring skills for the job:
1.. Hone Your Research and Writing Skills
Don't expect much opportunity to develop your research and writing skills on the field beyond perfecting them. Use your time in academia to hone these skills instead. Justin recommends getting practice doing interviews, not only with survivors but also with advocates and government officials, as this will help develop the skill of knowing what you need from...