Ingrid Ahlgren

East Greenwich, RI
Contact

Professional Experience

The best way to describe me is a worldly wordsmith. I was born in Asia, and I've been traveling ever since. In the past, I have worked as a researcher at National Geographic Traveler magazine in Washington, D.C. and as a writer at Vault.com in New York. Currently, I am a freelance writer and editor based in Rhode Island. I have an MA in print journalism (magazine writing emphasis) from the University of Missouri, an MFA in Fiction Writing from the University of Virginia, and a BA in Comparative Literature from Brown University.

Expertise

Copy Editor
10 Years
Researcher
10 Years
Writer
10 Years

Specialty

Books & Literature
3 Years
Business (general)
3 Years
Travel
10 Years

Industries


Magazine - Large Consumer/National magazines
2 Years
Newspaper - Local/Regional
1 Year
Online/new media
2 Years

Total Media Industry Experience

12 Years

Corporate Client List (# assignments last 2 yrs)

Arrangements Abroad (10+)

Other Work History

Academic Arrangements Abroad, communications manager, January 2010-August 2010 Vault.com, staff writer, April 2007-January 2009. National Geographic Traveler, researcher, May 2005-March 2007

Foreign Language Skills

Spanish (fluent), Italian (basic conversational) and Swedish (basic)

Unions

Freelancers Union

Computer Skills

Word, Excel, Quark Copy Desk (working knowledge), LexisNexis, HTML (basic skills), PC and Mac, content management systems and blogging

Equipment

laptop computer, digital camera

Work Permits & Visas

U.S. Citizen

References

Available upon request

Awards

Kappa Tau Delta journalism honor society; Missouri "Washington Program" scholarship recipient; Henry Hoyns Fellow in Creative Writing (UVA); Phi Beta Kappa

Showcase

Career Advice

Foreign Language Skills in International Development
(Devex.com 3/7/2011)
Foreign language skills can give you an edge as you're applying for international development jobs or consulting gigs, and they may even affect your pay. But, which languages are in high demand -- apart from English, which most aid groups require applicants to speak fluently?
How to Figure out if an Aid Job is Right for You
(Devex 3/30/2011)
You already work in international development but want to switch to another type of aid organization? You've been a humanitarian aid consultant but want to change pace? You're a nurse who wants to work in global health?
How to Answer 10 Common Recruiter Questions
(Devex.com 3/23/2011)
Getting ready for a international development job interview? Although it is impossible to know exactly which topics will come up during the conversation, thinking about answers to some common questions ahead of time will help you be prepared and do well during the interview.
Job Interview Secrets: How to Win Over a Development Recruiter
(Devex.com 3/4/2011)
Customs may differ around the world and among employers, but there's one factor to landing a staff or consulting gig in international development, humanitarian aid and global health that tends to be universal: the job interview. Here's how to ace that face-to-face.
Secrets to a Successful Phone Interview
(Devex 2/18/2011)
Meeting with a recruiter face to face is not always possible in the fields of international development, humanitarian aid and global health. Here's how to ace that phone interview -- whether you're a college graduate or experienced individual consultant.
Salary Negotiation Strategies for Aid Workers and Consultants
(Devex 4/7/2011)
You're in the running for an amazing international development job, and the question of compensation comes up. What do you do?
Soft skills: the role of "emotional intelligence" in development careers
(Devex 3/25/2014)
In development, soft skills can just as easily come into play during challenges in the field as when navigating office politics.
How to Dress for an International Development Job Interview
(Devex.com 3/4/2011)
Dressing for business meetings or job interviews can be a challenge for globe-trotting, culture-hopping aid workers. True, the dilemma is common in any industry -- but it is especially tricky in one that covers a diverse range of organizations and regions, such as international development.
Development jobs in innovation
(Devex.com 5/6/2014)
There is no clear path to securing the title of "innovator" beside one's name, but the need for new and improved development ideas isn't going anywhere, and neither are the positions to facilitate them. In fact, the increasing number of innovation positions in global development require candidates
8 Development Jobs You May be Overlooking
(Devex.com 4/15/2014)
There's more to international development than managing aid projects. In fact, there are plenty of opportunities for job seekers with all kinds of backgrounds, whether you're a communications guru, an international trade expert or a technology maven.
10 Unexpected Places to Find a Development Job
(Devex.com 4/22/2014)
If you're looking to work in international development, you don't have to move to a global development hub such as Washington, New York or even Nairobi, Kenya.
International Development CVs and Resumes
(Devex 12/23/2010)
It's Your Turn: 20 Questions Aid Workers May Ask in a Job Interview
(Devex.com 3/21/2011)
You're interviewing for an international development job, and the recruiter gives you the opportunity to ask a few questions. So, what should you ask?
Resume Formats for International Development Professionals
(Devex 12/23/2010)
The Europass Resume
(Devex 12/14/2010)
Tips for drafting a winning European CV
How to Transition from the Private Sector to Internatonal Development
(Devex.com 5/30/2011)
Although it can be difficult to break into the global development business, professionals with private-sector work experience are increasingly sought-after by aid organizations eager to prove value for money.
MBA to International Development
(Devex 6/15/2011)
International development is about improving the lives of the world's poor. It's also a global industry with needs in the areas of business, finance, accounting and management – and ample opportunity for job seekers with a business degree
Filling the Gap: How to Build Your Resume While Unemployed
(Devex.com 5/20/2014)
What are the best way to fill your time - and the best activities to include on your resume - while you look for that perfect position?
Should You Leave the Private Sector to Work for Uncle Sam?
(CNBC.com 1/8/2009)
Career article about transitioning from the private sector to government.

Business, Finance & Law

Consult & Trust
(Comstock's 3/1/2011)
Sacramento area banks offer more than just transactions.
A Slow Pace?
(Comstock's 10/1/2010)
There's a lot of legal hubbub in California surrounding Property-Assessed Clean Energy programs. Also known as PACE, the programs could be headed for troubled waters.
Interview with Jill Lester
(Devex.com 8/3/2009)
Interview with Jill Lester, CEO of The Hunger Project, for international development website Devex.com.
Lending Competition
(Comstock's 12/31/2010)
Competition between banks in the Sacramento area heats up.
Boomer Boomerang
(Comstock's 4/1/2009)
An aging work force comes back around.
The Loan Rangers
(Comstock's Magazine 5/1/2010)
Attorneys see an upswing in loan workouts.
Bankruptcy Boom
(Comstock's 10/1/2008)
Business woes create a fast-growing legal niche.

Books, Literature & Literacy

Book Review--Wonder Spot
(Providence Journal 6/19/2005)
A review of Melissa Bank's new book, The Wonder Spot.
Book Review--Blue Clay People
(Providence Journal 1/30/2005)
Book review of William Powers' memoir of his time as an aid worker in Liberia.
Literacy Promotion in Primary Care Pediatrics
(Pediatrics 11/22/2024)
This medical study looks at how health care professionals can help low-income children obtain literacy skills.
Book Review--102 Minutes
(Providence Journal 1/23/2005)
Amazon.com picked up a quote from a book review of 102 Minutes. I wrote the review for the Providence Journal in January of 2005.
Here Be Dragons
(Vox Magazine 6/17/2004)
Personality profile of an eccentric local author/artist
From the Inside Out
(Maine Humanities/Synapse 11/22/2024)
An interview with poet & writer Rafael Campo

Travel & Lifestyle

Social media and blog posts
(Arrangements Abroad 10/9/2019)
Samples of social media posts and a blog post for educational/cultural travel company Arrangements Abroad.
2010 World in Focus Contest Winners
(National Geographic Traveler 1/1/2011)
Text describing photographs taken by National Geographic Traveler's photo contest winners
Hula Dancers Bare their Soles
(Vox Magazine 1/29/2004)
A look at a group of hula dancers in Central Missouri
Panda Conservation:We Can All Play a Role
(Academic Arrangements Abroad blog 9/28/2012)
Panda conservation in Chengdu, China
My Kite is Tougher than Your Kite
(National Geographic Pop Omnivore blog 4/2/2008)
A look at kite fighting around the world.

Education

"Taking a Gap Year"
(Foreign Service Journal 6/1/2006)
This article discusses how students can take a "gap year." It includes specifics for Foreign Service families considering this option.

Art & Design

Illuminating Creations
(Vintage & Modern 9/19/2012)
Industrial Sculptural Lighting from Omega Lighting Design
String Tinkers
(Vintage & Modern 8/22/2012)
Design-minded musicians build quality string instruments out of cigar boxes and cookie tins.
Antique Lights Take Center Stage
(Vintage & Modern 10/3/2012)
Inspired vintage lighting for the dramatically inclined.
A Bibliophile's Bounty
(Vintage & Modern 9/26/2012)
The founder of Thornwillow Press assembles a curiosity cabinet of goods for book lovers.