Options in San Diego...

[Casey McCarthy]

Hi AidSourcers,

I'm Australian and moving in June to San Diego to be with my partner. I've 10 years communications/ media/ advocacy experience, including 2.5 years of field experience (Bangladesh and Cambodia) with UN agencies.

I'd like to stay in the development sector if possible as it's likely we'll move to Hanoi (where my partner is from) in the future and I'd like to keep the door open.

I'm aware the options in San Diego are quite limited, so was wondering if anyone has contacts or recommendations of development NGOs/ non-profits in the area that I could look into?

Many thanks!

Casey

[Doug Satre]

Hey Casey,

For some reason I thought I'd responded to this, but maybe not-sorry!...are you still in San Diego? You might want to get in touch with Project Concern, Alliance for African Assistance and some of the folks at Peace and Justice at USD. We at Plant With Purpose are here, too. I'm traveling a lot this winter but would love to connect.

Doug

[Mark Horowitz]

I'm from San Diego, but I left before I started working in international development. I've been wondering about options there, too, in case I ever go back, but I haven't done a thorough search. FWIW, here's what I suggest

*Check out UCSD's school of International Relations and Pacific Studies. They will undoubtedly have sources to local jobs.

*USD has a "global leadership" program in the business school - less likely they'll have sources, but worth a shot.

*http://www.projectconcern.org/ is based in San Diego

*IRC is in San Diego (http://www.rescue.org/us-program/us-san-diego-ca). I believe they help refugees settle into San Diego.

*I'm sure there are community groups/churches/non-profits that are working in Tijuana, but it's hard to say how much activity is happening right now because of the drug cartels and escalating violence. From San Diego to Brownsville, TX, fewer people (even native-born Mexicans) are venturing across the border.

*You should check out what's happening with the maquiladoras across the border. I left after NAFTA took effect, so I can't say much about the impact. Also, because of the maquiladoras, it looks like there are growing expat communities in San Diego. For example, just a few months ago, I happened upon a very large Japanese grocery store (Mitsuwa) in Kearney Mesa that serves the Japanese community which I never knew existed. If you're interested in knowing more about the Japanese community in San Diego/Tijuana, you should check out http://www.japan-society.org/. I'm sure there are other expat communities in the area.

[Doug Satre]

Thanks Mark, 

yes, there are also very large Somali and Iraqi populations here as well, and many organizations working with them as well as along the border. In terms of cross-border work, I think there has been a slowdown, but not as much as one would guess from the media reports. The Red Cross chapter here is also highly regarded and does a lot of domestic disaster coordination work, if that is an interest. and (how could I forget?) Invisible Children is here,

Doug

[Casey McCarthy]

Thanks Doug and Mark!

Project Concern and IRC are the places I hit up first though neither are in a position to hire at the moment (PCI due to tight budget and IRC's comms run out of DC). Invisible Children I didn't reach out to... :) Red Cross is a great idea. 

My situation has also changed now and I'm no longer looking for work, but really thankful for your advice!  Would be keen to connect Doug and here about your work here. 

Cheers,

Casey

[Doug Satre]

Sounds great. I'll be travelling for the next month or so but would be happy to touch base late Feb.

Doug