CID Speaker Series: Book talk with HGSE's Emiliana Vegas and HKS's Dan Levy

A Conversation with Professor Emiliana Vegas and Professor Dan Levy on How to Have an Impactful Career within International Development Organizations.

So many talented young people receive a great education and set out to make a difference in the world. Yet, they often find the global institutions on that path difficult to understand, hard to get into, and even harder to navigate. In her new book, Let’s Change the World, Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Emiliana Vegas provides a practical and encouraging guide for everyone, no matter their age, who wants to make a positive change through their professional life—from ensuring access to quality schools and clean water to improving healthcare and creating safer communities. Complete with anecdotes from Professor. Vegas’s own personal and professional journey, the book is organized into three parts. Part I, “How You Get In,” describes the basic types of international development organizations, the kinds of jobs that are available in each, what the work is all about, and what skills you need to gain entry. Part II, “How You Thrive,” is a deep dive into how to navigate international development organizations, including how to access internal resources to do great work, how to be both a team player and a team leader, and how to move up the corporate ladder. Finally, Part III, “How to Make a Real Difference,” outlines how to identify the best people to work with (and for), how to build and develop effective teams, and how to balance having a fulfilling career with family. A book for current and aspiring changemakers written by someone with a passion for the power of education who has twenty years of experience working in international development organizations, Let’s Change the World combines insider tips, best practices, and targeted advice, offering a blueprint for all of us determined to be a force for good.