A humanitarian is a person with will help someone in need. They are compassionate, selfless, altruistic individuals that seek the betterment of people who are not capable. They actively keep themselves engaged in actions such as social work and charity. They constantly find ways to support the needy and make themselves available whenever duty should call. A humanitarian does not shy away from putting oneself in harm’s way to help someone. Lastly, they are always open to open communication. Let us know How To Become a Humanitarian?
Find a goal
To become a humanitarian, you must motivate yourself with the goal to serve. The world we live in that is in so much need that it proves to be quite overwhelming. Although it is not necessary it can be useful to narrow down a sector in which you would like to focus on. For example, if children’s education is something of concern to you, you may start by reaching out to organizations that specialize in this field and make yourself of use.
Start volunteering
Once you have set your goal, you can now start to focus on what comes next which is volunteering. Volunteering is purely an act of selflessness. You can volunteer as a group activity or as an individual. This step has no age limit.
You can start volunteering at the local elderly home at the early age of 10. With volunteering, you not only gather experience but also get to figure out which sector is more suitable for you. This will provide a clearer vision of your passion. It enables you to test the waters before engaging in a much larger project.
Get a degree
Most universities provide a degree in social work. You can either get a Master’s in Social Work or a diploma course in a similar field. A proper degree can help jumpstart your career as a humanitarian. Your time at the University will teach you how to navigate yourself in the world of humanitarianism. You will get exposure to multiple internship opportunities during your course.
This will enable you to gather experience and your much-required contacts that will come in handy later. A degree will also help in getting jobs easily in the development sector. Make sure you acquaint yourself with the nuances and you are set to go.
If you are not looking for a degree you would always get a certificate in any of the essential skills. We will talk more about it in the next point.
Get specialized training
In the field of humanitarianism, there is a huge demand for people with some sort of specialized training. If you talk about humanitarian acts overseas, most of these organizations provide acts that need some sort of specialized training.
For example, if you decided to work with Red Cross, you will most likely be required to get training in first-aid or nursing training or be a doctor. This organization works in many areas ranging from war-torn countries to providing vaccines to underdeveloped countries. You will require the essential skillset to be associated with a body such as Red Cross. So, try to conduct proper research on what skill you would like to learn. The more the merrier.
Widen your linguistic repertoire
It is always cool to be multilingual but it is cooler to be able to help someone whose first language is not English. If you plan to volunteer in a country whose native language is different than yours, it always helps to learn a few basic words. Learning the local language will help in communicating better between you and the party in need.
Say, for instance, if you are volunteering in Haiti and you are stationed in one of the remote outposts, it will surely help to acquaint yourself with Haitian creole since it is one of the official languages of Haiti. It is also spoken mostly in the underdeveloped sectors of Haiti rather than in French.
Start your own organization
Starting your organization allows you to navigate the development sector in your rhythm. This will give you more relaxation in how you would like to achieve your goals. You can properly focus on the sector that you have always dreamed of working for. This does not have to be an individual venture. It always helps to have people support you in your cause. Do your exploration and find your tribe. This will help take the load off your shoulders. A group venture will also open you up for criticism which will undoubtedly be beneficial for your cause.
Find a mentor
This field can prove to be quite overwhelming. A mentor will prove to be of great help when you are just starting. They can provide you with guidance that will help you take off.
To sum up, a humanitarian is a person who is compassionate, kind, and has altruistic motives. This person is purely motivated by the purpose of helping others. They perform random acts of charity from an early age. The humanitarian journey can by volunteering. You do not have to begin volunteering by being associated with well-known organizations like the UN or the Red Cross.
It may start as a local venture. Secondly, finding a goal or a vision helps navigate the field better. It will allow you to narrow down your path. Next, if you want to pursue a career in this field, it is beneficial to get a degree. If you do not want to waste precious years in college and drown yourself in student loan debt, train in a particular skill set. Most organizations in the humanitarian sector prefer versatile people. Next, learn the local language of the area you are stationed.
It will ensure better communication between you and the person in need. A person who is truly interested in the development sector will benefit greatly by starting their organization. They can work at their own pace. Lastly, find someone who can guide you well.
