Does the thought of a fancy corporate job, complete with fat salary and stock options, leave you feeling cold? Have you been casting about, fruitlessly searching for a conventional job that suits you? Perhaps it's time you considered a road less traveled, one leading to fulfillment of a different kind. Relief agencies are looking for adaptable and adventurous types with a variety of technical skills as well as experience in high-pressure emergency situations.

But before you jump in headfirst, consider all your options and how your unique background and skills might be put

"I was in Albania. The number of refugees pouring in with no infrastructure, while [we were] trying to provide food and emergency items to them was exceptionally challenging." - - Relief professional, Catholic Relief Services

to the best use. Countries receive relief aid in response to natural or manmade disasters, such as famine, drought, flooding, earthquakes or other weather disasters, like 1997's Hurricane Mitch in Central America. Manmade disasters include war, guerrilla insurgencies and terrorist attacks. Consider recent tragic examples in Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Colombia.

Countries receive aid in a variety of forms during relief efforts. Food and medical aid are common, as are temporary and permanent housing assistance. If entire populations are displaced, then relief overlaps with refugee work.

During a large-scale crisis, there is a natural outpouring of humanitarian aid. However, most funds and efforts are mobilized not by people struck by the disaster, but by organizations having a long history of working in this field and experienced professionals with well-developed skill sets. Working conditions are stressful and hours are long, so organizations usually send people who have a background in refugee and relief work and a proven ability to handle these unique pressures. Amy Larocque-Rumano, recruitment team leader for Catholic Relief Services (CRS), says her agency looks for individuals with "prior experience in an emergency setting, relevant technical skills (i.e. logistics and Title II Food management), and an ability to exercise good judgment quickly and decisively."

Organizations Involved in Relief Work

There are literally hundreds of multilateral, government and nongovernmental organizations working in the area of relief. A few of the larger, more well-known ones are: UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Catholic Relief Services, CARE, Lutheran World Relief, the International Red Cross and the International Rescue Committee.

Where Are the Jobs?

The above organizations list jobs on their Web sites, and also through InterAction, an umbrella group of nonprofit organizations involved in development and relief work. Often, internships are not offered in countries undergoing major relief projects due to the work's dangerous nature. However, these organizations may have internships in their home offices or in other field offices that are involved in less crisis-oriented development work.

Educational and Professional Backgrounds

Those interested in a career in relief and refugee work can prepare in a variety of ways, but joining the Peace Corps is an excellent place to begin. A typical next step is to then pursue a graduate degree in public health, international affairs/development or public administration. A second language is usually required. Finally, experience in difficult living conditions, be it through the Peace Corps or a similar volunteer experience in a developing country, prepares people for some of the hardships they'll face. According to Larocque-Rumano, CRS also looks for candidates who are flexible and adaptable, team players, self-starters, and have an ability to work under stressful and sometimes difficult working conditions.