Special Announcement

 

Professional Development Program

Jobs ... Jobs ... Jobs is always the resounding response of spouses, both male and female, when asked their 3 priorities.  Latest industry surveys also show that millennials in particular are getting more selective about where they would relocate to. This will impact WBG’s talent strategy especially in FCV locations.  Therefore, WBFN, in response to both the business needs and general globally mobile workforce trends, is equipping spouses/partners with strategies and tools to manage their careers as globally mobile professionals.

The Professional Development Program provides members with a variety of career related social learning opportunities to build their professional network, learn new career related skills, explore different career paths, and understand the local employment market.

The Professional Development Program is primarily member driven with the oversight of a career development specialist.

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Career Lab

Career Lab Infographic

The question, “where would you like to be in 5 years’ time?” is no longer applicable as the job you aspire to could be gone. The Career Lab is designed to equip our members for the eventuality of disruptive shifts that is already reshaping the world of work. The added ingredient of geographic relocation makes managing a globally mobile career a potent mix of complexity. Participants MUST attend all 6 consecutive workshops.

Overview

The Career Lab is based on two key principles i.e. 1) mobility is expected so plan for the unknown, i.e. next geographical destination is unknown; 2) transition provides the opportunity to rethink and reconfigure a multitude of professional possibilities.

It consists of (i) a series of 6 workshops where attendance at all six is expected and (ii) peer group learning which is optional.

Career Lab Workshops: Both feedback and observation of previous career programs have shown that there is a need for a more differentiated approach as participants are often at very different stages in their careers.

Hence, this 6-part series opens with 2 workshops—Career Orientation & Developing a Mobility Mindset—that lay the foundation for managing a globally mobile career. Participants may then select the pathway of 4 workshops that is appropriate to them i.e. either Reinvent Me or Ready to Launch. All participants MUST attend Developing a Mobility Mindset as it provides the groundwork for thinking about crafting a globally sustainable career. All participants are expected to attend ALL six workshops.

Peer Group Learning (optional): Once the Career Lab workshops are completed, some participants form peer learning groups. Peer Learning Groups are learning partnerships that are set up for participants of the career workshops to support their continued career relaunch. Generally speaking, those who are in active job search mode use the peer groups to review their resumes and practice for interviews. Those who are in career transition can use the peer learning groups for support and accountability as social participation makes challenges easier.

For more information about the different workshop please consult our Activities Calendar
Career Lab

Thematic Sessions

These are monthly skill-building, knowledge building and information sessions to support the professional development of members. Regular topics include LinkedIn, Job Search Strategies, Excel, Project Management and How to Start a Business.

Additional topics may be covered based on the interests of members and the availability of speakers.

For more information about the different workshops please consult our Activities Calendar

Thematic Sessions

Professional Groups

These are groups of international professionals with a background or interest in similar industry sectors, who meet to support and empower each other in their career development. The main goals are continuing their professional development, understanding the US industry sectors relevant to them, and professional networking. Professional groups reflect the interests of members. Members are encouraged to establish new professional groups.

For more information, please contact familynetwork@worldbank.org

Currently there are professional groups in the following four areas:

  1. Banking and Finance
  2. Health
  3. International Development
  4. Legal

For more information about the different workshops please consult our Activities Calendar
Professional groups

Professional Networks

Networking is both a key career resource and a “must have” skill for every professional.  We have a variety of professional networks for our members. Each group has a specific focus e.g. Ideas in Action is a multi-organization event which focuses on a topic of current interest; the Entrepreneurs Network is a support and information network for entrepreneurs and the PDP Alumni is a resource to current job seekers. 

For more information about meetings, please consult our Activities Calendar
Professional Networking

Resources

Open Learning Campus (OLC)

The Family Network and the PDP Team are very happy that our advocacy effort has succeeded in granting WBFN's registered members access to online courses through the World Bank training platform “Open Learning Campus (OLC)”. Click here to download the instructions to access the OLC.

Career Journeys

Looking for a shortcut to success? Here participants of our Professional Development Program share their stories of the good, bad and ugly of their career journeys. Join them on their journeys because you will pick a trick or two and save loads of time, angst and may be money too.

List of Useful Career Books