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Graham MacMillan
Class of 1997
Majors: International Studies, History
Briefly, when I graduated with a double major in IS and
History in '97, I knew I wanted to work internationally--I just didn't
know how. Fortunately, through personal contacts, I got an internship
with what was then Helen Keller International. In the spring before
graduation, I called my contact at HKI to learn more about international
development and non-profits. It was through this conversation that
I learned what development really meant and the players in this field.
Through presistent follow up and luck, I was offered an internship through
the summer.
Internship: This was an exciting opportunity
for me to pursue my interests in different cultures through the lens of
blindness prevention. I was given many opportunities to work on projects
from Mexico to the US to Tanzania. Learning from my colleagues abroad
opened my eyes to the greater world. The most substantial experience
during that summer was my responsibility for developing a project.
While I had some background and knowledge of international studies, I had
no technical skills to apply. Fortunately, and I think this is where
Colby was immensely helpful, I had problem-solving and writing skills.
With desire and a framework for investigation, I was able to fully-develop
a project.
Full-time Employment: Towards the end of that
summer, I was offered a hourly job working with a specific program at HKI.
I was faced with an enormous decision--go play or get to work. Clearly
I decided to work. I spent much of the next 6 months working as a
project assistant in Newark and Harlem. I gained project implementation
and political skills, but most importantly, I gained a greater senses of
the need in our inner cities. I had always been taught that places
like sub-saharan Africa and SE Asia were in desperate need of assistance.
Well, this experience changed my perspective. The despair and urgency
of need in our own communities changed my life.
Accelerated Development: Since then, I have
moved through the ranks from Grants Writer (clearly a skill learned at
Colby) to Deputy Director of Strategic Development. Throughout this
period, I have been responsible for raising money through restricted
grantmaking. Researching funds and opportunities and areas of need.
I have traveled to many countries and cities while Ive been employed at
Helen Keller Worldwide. My current responsibilities include developing
the ChildSight Division's strategic plan as well securing the resources
to support new initiatives. In every location we work, my fundamental
understanding of how these communities developed (through my history work)
and the complexities of how different forces are at play (IS work) has
enabled me to take a non-biased approach. Certain skills and understanding
I have learned here at Helen Keller Worldwide, but there are funamental
issues such as ethics, politics, economics, and cultural that are universal
and became a foundation taught to me by Colby. What applies to the
Khoi applies to someone in the Bronx. In other words, I learned a
respect for human rights to equality, safety, health and economic opportunity.
I would be happy to speak to any Colby student about
the field. I think Im in a unique position in that I work both internationally
and domestically. Im currently going to NYU's Wagner School of Public
Service for my MPA. This is clearly a logical stepping stone for
my career.
April, 2001
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