Rural Development Officer

Akilah Dorris

What does a Rural  Development Officer do?

My role involves planning, monitoring and implementing regional development plans and conducting research on developmental issues within the 10 regions of Guyana, South America.

What do you work in and what is your specialty?

I work for the Ministry of Local Government & Regional Development in Guyana as the Community Monitoring & Development Officer, planning and implementing initiatives for the socio-economic development of rural communities.

How did you become interested in this area and when did you first start?

I previously worked with the vulnerable and less fortunate (men, women and children) within rural communities and I desired to further equip myself with advanced knowledge and skills to incorporate into my work upon my return to my home country, Guyana. Rural development is a fairly new field of work and study within my country; therefore I also wish to contribute my learnt skills, knowledge and experiences in future research and teaching.

What study path have you taken to get here?

I studied a Master of Rural Systems Management program at The University of Queensland.

What do you like most about your job?

I have the opportunity to travel and explore my entire country as 70% of the population is dispersed throughout the rural and regional areas.

What advice would you give to someone interested in working in this area?

Do it!  The workload can be overwhelming at times, however learning how to master time management will surely lead one to success. Studying Science can be challenging but with perseverance, commitment and open-mindedness it is definitely worth it in the end.