Finding Work that Feeds Your Soul

A combination of big systems advocacy, creativity and direct work feeds me.
Luckily, in my current work, I am learning a lot about international development systems, the process of starting a nonprofit (it's arduous!) and how to engage and partner in the global community. As my employer continues to grow and establish itself, I hope to develop and build the creative ways in which I support their work. Writing consistently in my PulseWire journal and reading other women's entries, has been particularly rewarding- as it is a very unique marriage of creativity and connection, reflection and journalism.

Continuing my work and education in the field of international development is my career goal. Since I'm working with an organization that has developed my focus on the significant and necessary participation of women across sectors, I would like to find a way to continue working with that focus. In the next year, I hope to travel to our current project sites in rural, southwestern Tanzania. There I will be able to meet community members and help in conducting baseline surveys. Being directly connected to the women and men who are participating in the programs we are funding is very important. Also, meeting our partner organizations in person and understanding how they are implementing their programs, is of the utmost importance. Once I have expanded my skill set to include field work, I will have a more clear vision of my continued path. At this point I cannot compare my experiences here, in the office with working in the field, since I have yet to experience that aspect of our work. I am open to and excited about potentially living abroad and dedicating myself to finding partner organizations, but, since I don't have experience with that work, I am not sure how successful I might be or how that role might feed my needs. Finally, it is important that my natural and learned skills support my organization to the fullest. Exploring working in the field would have to include an honest evaluation of my continued work.

As I've participated in WorldPulse's "Voices of Our Future", over the last 4 weeks, I've realized that, while WorldPulse is a great venue for me to connect with potential partners and learn from women from around the world, I am not the best candidate to be a Correspondent. I have enjoyed so much reading, commenting, writing and connecting with women around the world. And I hope to continue my involvement in this community by reaching out to and corresponding with women. I would like to continue writing and reading and hopefully, through the community, I will not only continue learning about the global issues faced by women, but I will also be able to apply these connections to my professional work by finding potential partner organizations,

Already, the connections I've made via WorldPulse has been incredibly enriching: personally and professionally. The process has been exciting. Placing the power of investigative journalism and reporting in the hands of women around the world can only result in a richer, more honest reflection of our global challenges and successes. Our many and extremely varied societies can only benefit from the learning and sharing that this community provides.

I am honored to have been a part of this group and I know that it is just the beginning of my WorldPulse path. Thank you to all and I wish all the best to both those women who are selected as correspondents (congrats!) and those who will continue to participate and learn. Thank you to World Pulse.