Does the mission matter? Can you really work for corporate? I would look at local non profits in the arts, or community work, any kind of program management role. Maybe a good mid sized firm look at treasury, account mgmt, compliance roles in financial services or insurance firms.

Financial services (banks, mortgage, insurance) within IT project/program management or maybe risk management

Anonymous wrote:I'd highly recommend talking with Laura - she's so upbeat and has a lot of experience helping others make transitions in this area

https://www.koepsellcareercounseling.com/

Thank you!

Anonymous wrote:You'd be a shoe in for Peace Corps. 2 years paid vacay basically.

Btdt- RPCV Kosovo

I'd highly recommend talking with Laura - she's so upbeat and has a lot of experience helping others make transitions in this area

https://www.koepsellcareercounseling.com/

You'd be a shoe in for Peace Corps. 2 years paid vacay basically.

It sounds like you’d make a good president. Run for office?

Anonymous wrote:What type of work did you do? What was day to day?

When you say “compliance, budgeting, project management, and audit” it does make me think about:

BizOps for a startup (pay isn’t super high but you get equity and could be comparable to your aid salary). Could also be remote.

Financial analyst (depending on what courses you may have taken)

Part-time / consultant for nonprofits; some of those have gotten hit. They may eventually start having a need and will probably hire part time or fractional first.

Day to day was project management ( project timelines, phase approvals, approve fund drawdowns contingent on successful and compliant deliverable). Reviewing reports, drafting reports/briefing counterparts, briefing leadership. Lots of engaging with community members( local government leaders and businesses for buying/support) and acting as primary touchpoint on projects. Behind the scenes- raising awareness of projects, government fundraising ( impressing upon Congress the savings and return to the American economy- the good will and hosting staffers for site visits.)

It was a lot. I’m worn out and a bit glad to be out of it. my work spans from Georgia, Belarus down to Cape Verde.

What type of work did you do? What was day to day?

When you say “compliance, budgeting, project management, and audit” it does make me think about:

BizOps for a startup (pay isn’t super high but you get equity and could be comparable to your aid salary). Could also be remote.

Financial analyst (depending on what courses you may have taken)

Part-time / consultant for nonprofits; some of those have gotten hit. They may eventually start having a need and will probably hire part time or fractional first.

I can’t pretend to have good advice, but what I did when I was looking to leave government and do something completely different was to look at larger companies based in the DC area to see what kinds of jobs they have that might fit my skill set. My thought was that larger employers have all sorts of jobs/functions, including those that could touch on my skills. (I’m thinking Marriott, Hilton, Capital One, Amazon, etc., etc.) If you see something that sounds like it might fit, you could apply or use the job title/category to search for similar positions in companies that might be of interest or more to your liking. I don’t endorse working at Capital One or Amazon just based on anecdotes from friends. The point of looking at larger employers, assuming that you aren’t interested in working for one, is that they have a wider array of openings that could let you get a feel for what might be of interest elsewhere.

Anonymous wrote:I'm in a similar boat. Listening to this now:

Devex Career Event: What to do if you've lost your NGO job
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsOJdQVQpBg

Thank you! Checking this out

Anonymous wrote:IT project management? You may need to get training or a PMP.

Office manager?

I’ll look into the PMP route. I’d definitely do an office manager position. I could care less about a title these days.

IT project management? You may need to get training or a PMP.

Office manager?

I'm in a similar boat. Listening to this now:

Devex Career Event: What to do if you've lost your NGO job
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsOJdQVQpBg

Hi, I’m also one of those people that needs to get creative as I no longer work in foreign aid. 43, live in Dc, and 9 year old. I no longer want to work in this space. I feel too much.

Where can I transfer skills like compliance, budgeting, project management, and audit?

I no longer want to work anywhere near foreign affairs, policy, nonprofits/foundations or social work.

Any help would be great. Having a hard time.