The Brilliant and Compassionate Development Worker

With the ending of a very interesting and fruitful semester, I came across this quiz: "What Advanced Degree should You Get?" Behold. The quizmaster says I should get an MD.

You Should Get a MD (Doctor of Medicine)

You're both compassionate and brilliant - a rare combination. You were born to be a doctor.

What Advanced Degree Should You Get?

Checkout the expression on the Doctor's face: I actually wore the same smirk when I got the quiz results. (Am I wasting my time with my Masters in Development Management? Should've taken MD instead of DM! ) No offense, doctors have my utmost respect. It's just not my thing. The sight of blood is OK, I guess -- but I can't imagine inflicting physical pain (even if it is meant to cure) to anyone. Imagine jabbing needles and blades and lasers. Ugh. But notice the description... "You are both compassionate and brilliant" - the quiz obviously seeks to flatter ;-) I guess compassion and brilliance are traits that are present in both MDs and DMs (DWs?) Doctors and development managers/ workers essentially have the desire to heal and make things better. They both start with Ds and end with Rs, they both work long hours, and are expected to (I love this phrase) “perform above and beyond the call of duty.” There are glaring differences (such as salary? Haha!) but, in essence, they are somewhat similar. Perhaps, the thing about doctors is their ability to make a difference in every person they check-up, heal, or operate on. Results are tangible and felt almost at once. Medicines are prescribed and recuperation is observed. Things are different for the development worker. How can we say that we are touching the lives of the people we are helping? Call me cynical, but how can we say that the amount of assistance that we are extending can prolong or improve a person’s life? Will these endless relief goods distribution, feeding and reading programs, Internet connectivity, proposal writing have the same effect on our “clients” as the relief that a doctor grants them? I cannot say that I am already in mainstream development work, for I can’t feel that I am making a difference on “healing the ills” of the country. The farthest I’ve got is providing support to my boss and feeling the compassion for the country running through my veins. I am still hopeful that where I am now will enable me to help – and that strand of “hope” is something that is tying me down to this institution. People around me tell me that I should explore new horizons and try to use my skills for endeavors that have tangible results. Why not try media or events? But I told them I don’t think I can bear to leave the development world. I left for two months to enter the corporate arena, only to discover that the nitty-gritty within the company prevented me from seeing the bigger picture. In the development world, I encounter the bigger picture all the time. It can get a bit overwhelming at times (especially when I see that I cannot do anything to improve it), but still, it’s great to be up to speed, and at LEAST trying… Maybe it’s too early to get disillusioned? I have been in this industry for three years, and have encountered people who make a lot of noise, and great people who choose to work quietly and remain unseen. I have met people who strive for change, while some strive to make a bit of change to get recognition. I have met a lot of young, struggling, development workers (like me!) who are still looking for their place in this industry. Perhaps, it is our “compassion” that is bonding us to continue to work towards the development of this stubborn people, society and world. I have learned a lot in my three years, and I hope – I will achieve the “brilliance” that is expected from me soon. In the meantime, I will count on the compassion to guide me along. I hope it is well worth the wait.