Humanitarian intervention is the involvement in another’s circumstances, usually with the goal of reducing or eliminating that population’s suffering. This suffering could be the result of civil war, crimes against the citizens of the population, or natural disaster. Humanitarian intervention usually strives not to get involved in the political objectives of the entity, but rather attempts only to decrease the suffering experienced by the citizens of that state. The concept of humanitarian intervention stems from the idea that every individual has a responsibility to preserve humanity for all, regardless of country of origin or individual beliefs. Many individuals feel that humanitarian intervention is something that they are passionate about, and something that they could turn from an ideology into a fantastic career opportunity.

There are many levels of humanitarian intervention that can blossom into job opportunities for those interested in this field of work. RDG Careers has career counselors on hand to assist you in exploring the many options available to you in the field of humanitarianism. Whether on a small or large scale, the opportunities are virtually endless.

Jobs in the humanitarian field are available both on a volunteer or paid basis. Volunteer positions are accessible through large aid organizations, and can be researched via the internet, local newspaper. Often natural disasters such as hurricanes, ice storms, or tsunamis bring with them many opportunities to assist others experiencing distress and suffering. In addition, smaller scale issues have volunteer opportunities available; virtually every imaginable cause requires assistance from someone like you to help alleviate suffering for many. These same volunteer opportunities may require individuals to work for pay as well. Funding may be provided on a government level, or may be offered through private organizations looking to better humanity in general. If there is a particular avenue that you are passionate about, career counselors can help you to delve deeper into the arena to determine if there are appropriate jobs available for you. Many organizations do not require that you have experience or training in humanitarian issues in order to work for them; often a positive and passionate outlook on the issues are the most important factors.

Once you have determined which humanitarian issue most interests you, you will need to determine how large of a scale you wish to pursue. There are opportunities available both locally and internationally, and the chances to improve humanity on both these scales are expansive. You can work through advocacy, raising awareness about the international issue on a local scale. As well, community development is often an important part of humanitarian work; this broad term can include many of the skills you have already honed from your other experiences and life skills. Fundraising is often a key component of humanitarian organizations, as well as events management for these fundraising initiatives.

If you are passionate about humanitarian efforts, there are many things that you can do to improve your resume and seek out employment in the field of your dreams. A career expert may be able to help assess your skills and experiences, and determine what additional skills would be valuable, or which jobs are available to you today.