Taking a

With the realization that…

• I have passion for tackling global issues related to poverty and inequality.

• Teaching in Title 1 schools, while important, was not going to change the way the U.S. or the world does education.

• I wanted to learn groundbreaking ways to address major issues related to global poverty.

I APPLIED TO THE…

• Commissioned in 2008, the MDP is an innovative interdisciplinary graduate program sponsored by

the MacArthur Foundation.

• MDP was formed with the idea that the field of Development needed a new kind of leader trained

to address global issues of human development through interdisciplinary, multi-faceted approaches.

• See globalmdp.org for further information.

I was accepted to Emory’s Inaugural Class of the MDP

program – set to graduate in 2012.

Why a risk??

• Unlike an MPH, MBA, MPA, etc. – an MDP is foreign to potential employers. – Upon graduation, I would be in the first cohort from Emory and the second cohort in the U.S. to graduate.

• As a brand new academic program there are bound to be bumps in the road.

• This program took $$$$$ would such an investment yield a worthwhile return??

Negative Outcomes of this Risk• Priority was often placed on theory over practice,

rather than there being a MUCH NEEDED balance between the two.

• Nine of our twelve member cohort have yet to find employment. (Notice our graduating class below)

Positive Outcomes of this Risk• As part of the inaugural class, I helped to develop

and shape the Emory MDP program.

• I have made an excellent network of friends and fellow “development practitioners”.

• Field placements with CARE-Ethiopia and The Carter Center have provided me with a diversity of “hands

on” development experience.

Unexpected Outcomes of this RiskThrough my work as a MDP student, I have come to the conclusion that there are major ethical issues with most development programs, and therefore, am uninterested in a career which supports typical development initiatives. This is a positive outcome in some ways in that it demonstrates my growth of thought regarding international development and non-profit work. Yet, negative in that my career prospects seem, at present, greatly limited.

*image taken from: thebluevinecollective.org

For Acumen Fund this risk…

• Demonstrates my passion and dedication for addressing global poverty issues.

• Provides me the perfect background to a be a dynamic addition to the Acumen Fund team

as a Two-Year Program Analyst.

• Displays my intense interest in gaining the knowledge and skills the position will provide

through working as the go-to person in support of the Business Development and

Portfolio teams of Acumen Fund.

Quite frankly, only time will tell if this risk was worth the investment, but until that time

comes, I am confident in my ability to positively contribute to the Acumen Fund team, and

humbled by the idea of having the opportunity to be a part of that team.

Haley Holt