Finding Purpose: My Journey in International Development as a Marketing Professional

Alley of Flags- United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG)- Mmoka, Unsplash.

I started my career in the marketing industry by chance.

After completing an exchange program at a high school in the U.S., I returned to Bolivia to begin my bachelor’s studies, only to find that most of my classmates seemed confident about their paths in life. In contrast, I felt lost and unsure.

Pressed for time, I chose a bachelor’s program that unexpectedly led me into the marketing field. Fifteen years later, I can confidently say I am incredibly thankful for the career path I have shaped, one that started with my marketing background. However, I must admit that I intentionally strayed from the marketing field for quite some time.

Do not get me wrong. The marketing world is fascinating. But throughout my early professional life, I longed for something that had a sense of purpose. My initial roles, first as an Accounts Executive advising companies on their advertising strategies, and later as a Head of Marketing for private profit, were rewarding, but felt purposeless.

Everything changed when I stepped out of my comfort zone, left my home country, and pursued a new direction in international development and advocacy. It was a leap of faith, but one I knew was necessary to find the deeper sense of purpose I had been seeking.

It was also a challenging shift that required me to start all over in my late twenties, taking unpaid human rights internships and pursuing graduate studies in entirely different fields, such as international relations, gender studies, and project management for development. These firm choices opened doors to the world of advocacy and development cooperation at both local and international levels, a dream come true.

After seven years of working in these new fields, I realized something powerful. The skills I honed in marketing in my initial steps, could be leveraged in my new career path for promoting social causes and amplify the voices of vulnerable groups, which absolutely brought me full circle.

Today, I am privileged to serve as a Program and Communications Associate for the Women Leaders in Eye Health (WLEH) initiative, a consortium dedicated to promoting gender equity in global eye health. In this role, I collaborate with teams across the globe, supporting the programmatic side while also developing marketing campaigns to raise awareness, foster community building, and address critical barriers to gender equity and healthcare access through digital platforms for positive change. Every task feels purposeful and rewarding, bringing a renewed sense of direction that seamlessly integrates my project management and marketing expertise.

This full-circle milestone in my career represents the perfect combination of my marketing roots and my commitment to social development, proving that purpose and passion can coexist in a meaningful professional journey.

1.- It is okay not to know!

People rarely know exactly what they want to do career-wise after high school graduation, and that is okay.

Career paths are vast and evolving, and it is through learning, experimenting, giving up, and trying again that we discover what truly suits us.

Allowing ourselves the freedom to explore is essential.

2.- Reinvention has no age limit

There is no expiration date.

Whether you are in your late twenties or beyond, it is never too late to pursue something new.

Trust that there will come a moment when all the dots will connect, and your seemingly “unrelated” experiences will make perfect sense.

3.-Continuous learning is a strength

Gaining new skills and venturing into unfamiliar fields is always a strength, never a weakness.

Every new ability you acquire enriches your professional portfolio and expands the opportunities available to you.

4.-Your skills can drive meaningful change

Managerial and technical skills, like those from marketing or communications, have an invaluable place in international development and advocacy.

Translating these skills into a purpose-driven context not only makes you versatile but also amplifies the impact you can potentially create.

5.- Understanding the world is key

The more you learn about the complexities of international relations and development, the better equipped you are to perform well in this field.

Understanding the interconnectedness of systems definitely enables professionals to navigate challenges with greater insight.

Embrace the unknown, take risks, and trust that every twist in your career, big or small, will ultimately guide you toward that fulfilling full-circle moment, opening doors to endless opportunities to continue growing from there.

Remember, it is not just about the destination, but also about the process, the journey of self-discovery, resilience, and growth.

Go for it!

For a broader audience, you can also find this article here: https://medium.com/@jentapiaboada/finding-purpose-my-journey-in-international-development-as-a-marketing-professional-e2a1c3e1a599