Understanding how to best integrate and use multi-sectorial approaches to create sustainable solutions for global disparities led me to pursue the role of a development practitioner. As a 2015 USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Fellow, I have long-term goals to eradicate issues impacting human conditions, such as extreme poverty, gender inequality and limits to economic growth. I will enter USAID in 2017, and recognize how the Program / Project Development Officer position does provide ideal opportunities to tackle a range of global issues of utmost importance. My preparatory educational steps are in alignment with this particular career journey, and currently involve my pursuit of a Master of Public Administration degree in Development Practice at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). SIPA is providing historical and theoretical insight into past and ongoing problems impacting populations across the globe. As a first-year student, I am receiving an educational basis, coupled with applicable tools to assess the best processes and methods to remove barriers restricting individual and societal advancements. My current courses, past experiences and future goals, particularly the USAID summer placement at a mission site, will continue building on the foundation preparing me to enter the career I aspire to have as a USAID Foreign Service Officer.
My experience in the course of “Development Practice Lab” introduces a variety of hands-on design sessions, which include, but are not limited to: creating stakeholders’ analyses to evaluate participatory influences and levels of importance by key actors before, during and after program development; evolving problem-tree mappings to action-based objective proposals to achieve ideal theories of change; applying log-frame schemes to thoroughly assess inputs, outputs, outcomes and overall impacts for projects, and the use of USAID’s Stat-compiler website to select indicators to then map and compare worldwide disparities using geographic information systems. Another course known as “Foundations for Sustainable Development” features a global classroom inviting world-renowned guest speakers to highlight and discuss their expertise relating to themes of inclusive economic development; food, water and cities infrastructures; health and equity; governance and policy design; and the 2015 – 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. In addition, both “Quantitative Analysis for International and Public Affairs” and “Microeconomics for International and Public Affairs” are courses explaining how to quantitatively and conceptually use consumer and market practices, along with data and statistical analyses for the examination of public policy issues, respectively. My reasons for choosing SIPA were largely due to my previous professional experiences, some of which include serving for three years in the United States Peace Corps, being selected as a youth delegate to the 19th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and working on Capitol Hill as a fellow for the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
I first became interested in public administration and global policy while employed as a teacher in Peace Corps Guatemala. Collaborating with indigenous Mayans to advocate for improved scholastic conditions, youth entrepreneurial programs, gender equality, and participatory learning curriculums further piqued my interests in development. As a direct result of my efforts, we were able to build and operate an eco-friendly Life Skills Center with a USAID Special Projects Assistance grant. The center specialized in hands-on small business development and certified electrician workshops for approximately 300 Guatemalan youth. I also helped found a nonprofit association of indigenous Mayan women to construct and operate a computer learning and literacy center, which promoted reading and computer literacy for more than 100 girls. Finally, my appointment as Peace Corps’ first Youth Sports Ambassador by the International Alliance for Youth Sports brought me to the front lines in regards to developing Guatemala’s first women’s lacrosse festival in 2012. It is my belief that this female empowerment event was critical for the country, which reported more than 700 brutal acts of femicide that same year. In addition, carrying out action campaign strategies to advance intergenerational equity at the UNFCCC in Warsaw, Poland, provided leadership experience, and the achievement to push for mitigation and renewable energy practices by having the words “future generations” included in the outcome document for the conference, due to receiving enough support from country representatives. Lastly, achieving unanimous “excellent” ratings in my performance evaluation with the House Foreign Affairs committee in the areas of planning and organizing, resourcefulness, information integration and analysis, objectivity and integrity, initiative and leadership, reliance, and working with others were due to my ability to processed information for congressional staffers into concise, detail-oriented and structured reference notes, which highlighted core themes from hearings, briefings and all meeting requests. In addition, I led the compilation and dissemination of daily press clips, specifically news mentions relating to the committee’s chairman, ranking member and immediate affiliates.
These experiences comprehensively taught me problem identification, monitoring and evaluation, and the feasibility of long-term effective strategies. Yet, I know policy enactment is necessary to address life and death issues concerning humanity. During my summer-field placement with USAID, I would like to absorb as much information as possible relating to the aspects of the role of a Program / Project Development officer, especially as it realtes to policy formulation and the programming and budgeting of resources. I have experience in deriving results-based indicators and tools for effective monitoring and evaluation, but would like to build upon program development, alliance buiding and assessing performance evaluations. The summer placement will be an incredible opportunity to learn as much as possible about the critical requirements of the roles and I look forward to bringing enthusiasm, previous knowledge and openness to continue molding me for the role of this particular Foreign Service Officer.
Last Completed Projects
| topic title | academic level | Writer | delivered |
|---|