Program Manager, Canada World Youth
Graduate Program in Social Anthropology, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) 2013

Nelson Ferguson is a Phd graduate of the Dept. of Anthropology, York University. He is a Program Manager for Canada World Youth, a Canadian International Development Agency funded non-profit organization that has been promoting youth empowerment and developing educational programs for young people from around the world since 1971.

Nelson is responsible for developing and delivering international internship programs for Canadian universities, connecting students with community development organizations focusing on diverse issues such as food security, education, and human rights.

As he reports, anthropology has helped him pivot to his current career path: "In the non-profit industry, you need to be flexible, adaptable, and resourceful. My background in anthropology has proven invaluable, enabling me with a broad skill set such as a firm grounding in issues of international development, the analytical skills needed for program and project evaluation, and the cross-cultural communication skills to forge international partnerships. And best of all, now I am able to help youth and young adults gain the skills needed to critically engage with the world we live in.