Katrina Noyes, Emerging Markets Development Advisor in Jordan
Katrina Noyes is a current fellow of the Emerging Markets Development Advisors Program in Jordan. EMDAP is a unique opportunity for students and recent graduates to contribute to emerging market business development by using their knowledge of business management practices to identify business solutions in diverse situations. MBA/MA students and graduates of International Development/Relations programs spend one year abroad in a developing country to work on a USAID project or directly with a community development organization. With the EMDAP application deadline approaching on May 25, 2012, we thought this would be a great opportunity to ask Katrina about her experience.
1. Why did you decide to apply for the Emerging Markets Development Advisors Program?
After working in finance and consulting in the U.S. for four years, I decided to redirect my career toward non-profit work. I completed my master’s degree and then began looking for professional opportunities that would provide me with international field experience in community development. EMDAP is focused on doing just that. I also had the flexibility that the program requires – when applying, you do not know what country or organizations you will be matched with. Moreover, EMDAP is implemented by a well-known organization and offers a cost-of-living stipend, health insurance, and language training.
I spent my first year with EMDAP at one of the King Hussein Foundation’s projects in the south of Jordan – the Aqaba Micro Business Incubator – where I worked directly with micro-entrepreneur clients. I decided to reapply to EMDAP for a second year to continue to learn about the Foundation and non-profit management from its main office in Amman, Jordan’s capital.
2. What do you think made your application stand out?
I believe that I have a good mix of technical skills, business knowledge, and academic experience related to international development. I made it clear in my cover letter and interviews that I am patient, flexible, and enthusiastic. These are three qualities that have helped me deal with both work and professional challenges in Jordan. I also made sure to thoroughly understand the job description for each position I interviewed for and give specific examples of work that I have done related to desired qualifications.
3. What tips would you give others applying for the Emerging Markets Development Advisors Program?
It is important that your resume is clear and, when possible, you should quantify your successes. Any examples of proposal writing and fundraising are always interesting to non-profit organizations that depend on donors. In interviews, show that you have a strong interest in working in other cultures and make sure you are able to articulate how the program relates to your short-term and long-term goals. For EMDAP, your resume should show you have diverse skills and interests that would be valuable to organizations working in different fields.
Finally, if you are interested in programs like EMDAP, you can apply in more than one year. Your chances of being hired will change from year to year depending on the positions available.
As an EMDAP fellow, Katrina Noyes works with the King Hussein Foundation in Amman, Jordan. She has an undergraduate degree in Economics from Colby College and a master’s degree in Intercultural Service, Leadership, and Management from the School for International Training Graduate Institute.
© Victoria Johnson 2012, all rights reserved.
The Orr Fellowship is doing its part to nurture and develop Indiana’s best and brightest entrepreneurial talent. Also known as The Governor Bob Orr Indiana Entrepreneurial Fellowship, the Orr Fellowship offers Indiana’s top recent college graduates with paid opportunities to work with and learn from Indiana’s top business executives and companies. Click here to see the list of participating host companies.
Fellows spend two years gaining executive-level mentorship, building a one of a kind professional network, attending monthly Business Leader Meetings, and joining an invaluable peer network full of other talented recent graduates. Fellows are paid a salary by their host company for the duration of the fellowship.
A quote from a recent fellow:
“The Orr Fellowship provided me with an opportunity to join a growing global company and to work closely with senior leadership on key projects. The responsibilities that I was given were beyond what a typical entry-level marketing coordinator would have been given. This allowed me to grow professionally more quickly than many of my peers.”
To qualify for the Orr Fellowship you must have:
- Cumulative 3.5 GPA or higher (students with as low as a 3.2 GPA will be considered if they have extensive leadership experience)
- Demonstrated leadership potential (leaders in on- and off-campus clubs/organizations/athletics)
- Strong interest in entrepreneurial business or organizational leadership
- An expected graduation in either December 2011 or May 2012 with one or more undergraduate majors
- Graduate of an Indiana college or university (or a native Hoosier graduating from any school around the country)
To learn more about The Governor Bob Orr Indiana Entrepreneurial Fellowship please visit http://www.orrfellowship.org/.
Venture for America is doing their part to create jobs for the U.S. economy. Today VFA announced the offering of new entrepreneurship fellowship opportunities for recent college graduates. VFA’s goal is for its fellows to contribute to the creation of 100,000 jobs by 2025.
Here is a bit of information about how the program works:
“Start-up companies within the target cities will be identified within industries of great potential or future importance (e.g., energy, biotech, materials sciences, infotech, education innovation, etc.). These start-ups will be presented with VFA fellows to hire for two years, at a discounted salary of $32- $38,000 per year. At the end of the 2-year period, the company can hire the fellow under new terms”.
VFA fellowships are for two years, and upon the conclusion of the fellowship the highest performing fellow is awarded $100,000 for seed investment for a new venture or funding for their existing company. VFA is working with established venture capital and angel networks to be able to extend multiple awards like this, as well as vendor services, in the coming years.
To learn more about Venture for America fellowships please visit their website: http://ventureforamerica.org
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