How to Get a Job in Anti-Trafficking

by Amanda Kloer · 2009-07-11 09:00:00 UTC
Topics:

I won't lie- the job market can be brutal right now.  And if you're a young (or not especially young) person trying to break into the anti-trafficking field for the first time, it's pretty frustrating.  So here are a few tips for how to get a job in the anti-trafficking movement.

Develop an Expertise:  If you don't have general expertise in human trafficking, consider developing a very specific, focused, and narrow expertise in the field.  If you become an expert on child sex tourism in South America or Chinese women in domestic servitude or human trafficking legal reform in Africa, your specific knowledge may be highly demanded.  Expertise helps you stand out from the crowd and shows you're serious about the issue.

Volunteer or Intern:  If you don't have any experience working with human trafficking issues, volunteer or intern with an organization that does the sort of work you're interested in.  Even if all you can manage is a few hours a week, simply having that experience on your resume will make you a much more desirable candidate for an anti-trafficking NGO.

Nurture a Flexible Skill Set: Many anti-trafficking NGOs are small, so your flexible and diverse skill sets will be appreciated.  Basic skills, like being able to write, communicate, and organize will transfer well into any job.  Even if you have a specific skill set, such as media/communications, be able to do a number of activities within that area.  Small NGOs appreciate staff who can fill a number of roles.

Get on Jobs for Change and Idealist.org: While you may find some anti-trafficking jobs posted on sites like Monster.com, most will be on social justice focused job sites.  I recommend Jobs for Change and Idealist as two of the best resources for job seekers. 

Network: Even in the nonprofit world, who you know matters as much (and sometimes more) than what you know.  So attend events where you can meet people who have the sorts of jobs you want.  Learn about their organizations and work.  Get your foot in the door.  The relationships you build may be the key to your next job.

Image from biojobblog.com

Amanda Kloer is a Change.org Editor and has been a full-time abolitionist in several capacities for seven years. Follow her on Twitter @endhumantraffic
PREVIOUS STORY:
Freedom for the Weekend: Anti-Slavery International
NEXT STORY:
Today is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, how are you going to take action?

COMMENTS (5)

    Comment Policy

    · All fields are required to comment.

    [X]

    Comments on Change.org are meant for further exploration and evaluation of the campaign on Change.org. To that end, we welcome constructive comments. However, we reserve the right to delete comments which, as determined solely in our discretion: (1) are offensive, abusive, or off-topic; (2) include content solely intended to personally attack the campaign creator, (3) are designed to subvert or hijack comment threads rather than contribute to them; and/or (4) violate our terms of service and/or privacy policy. Repeat offenders may be permanently removed from the site at our discretion. Please also be advised that: (A) we do not actively curate and/or monitor in any manner whatsoever the comments made on the Change.org platform, and (B) the creator of each campaign on Change.org may remove any comment at her/his/its discretion.