The Power of Serendipity and Strategic Risk-Taking
Daniel's story begins with a pivotal moment of self-reflection. As a young lawyer in Costa Rica, he found himself questioning whether working "for the bottom line of an organization, making money for shareholders" was truly his calling. This moment of doubt led to a serendipitous conversation that would change everything; his wife learned about international organization opportunities through a chance encounter with a fellow student.
"I started to question if I wanted to work for the bottom line of an organization making money for shareholders, and what can be an area, a sector, an industry that could take me forward to do an impact for others, do an impact for the world," Daniel reflects.
This curiosity led him to apply for an internship at the Inter-American Development Bank, marking the beginning of a remarkable 20-year journey in international organizations.
Challenging the Linear Career Myth
One of Daniel's most compelling insights challenges a pervasive misconception in international organizations: the belief that career advancement must follow a vertical, linear path.
"International organizations have this notion among people, a culture that your career needs to be a vertical linear function... I'm finding that careers are becoming more dexterous, more agile. Instead of being a linear function, it's more like a scatter plot."
This philosophy isn't just theoretical; Daniel lived it. After establishing expertise in employee relations, he deliberately sought roles outside his comfort zone, including positions in budgeting, IT, and finance. When he initially failed to secure a coveted advisory role, he didn't retreat. Instead, he strategically built relationships across departments and demonstrated his value through core HR work until the opportunity arose again.
The Costa Rican Advantage: "Pura Vida" in International Leadership
As Costa Rica's recent addition to OECD membership makes headlines, Daniel brings a unique perspective shaped by his country's remarkable values. Growing up in a nation that abolished its military in 1948 to invest in education and healthcare, Daniel embodies the "pura vida" philosophy; preferring "a good agreement to a good fight."
"We are a country that likes to find solutions and alternatives that meet, hopefully, what most people need... that demeanor has made us very successful in our region, in the world, in being a beacon of capability, of dialogue, of bringing people together."
Breaking Down Barriers: The OECD's Diversity Revolution
Under Daniel's leadership, the OECD has made significant strides in diversity and inclusion, moving beyond traditional geographic and gender representation to embrace comprehensive diversity through employee resource groups, transparency initiatives, and innovative recruitment strategies.
The organization now publishes annual diversity reports, maintains EDGE certification for gender equality, and has established partnerships with underrepresented member countries to enhance their talent pipeline.
Practical Pathways: Your Gateway to International Impact
For aspiring international professionals, Daniel offers concrete entry strategies:
Internships with Impact: The OECD runs one of the most extensive internship programs among international organizations, hosting nearly 800 interns annually with opportunities ranging from 3-9 months; far exceeding the typical 3-month offerings elsewhere.
The Young Associates Program: A unique two-year program targeting bachelor's degree graduates, filling an underserved market niche and boasting a 40% return rate of participants who later rejoin the organization after completing advanced studies.
Essential Soft Skills: Beyond technical qualifications, success requires strategic thinking, fostering a growth mindset, collaboration, accountability, and ethics; all within a multilingual environment where English and French proficiency opens doors.
Leadership Wisdom: It's Never About You
Perhaps Daniel's most powerful leadership insight is deceptively simple: "It's never about you. Your job is not shining as a leader yourself, it's making your team shine."
This philosophy requires what Daniel calls "holding two things that might be in tension", providing clear vision while empowering teams to make that vision their own, often leading to outcomes that surpass the original plan.
The Future of International Careers
As artificial intelligence reshapes career trajectories, Daniel predicts even more dynamic, "serendipitous and scattered" career paths that value diverse experiences over linear progression. This shift creates unprecedented opportunities for professionals willing to embrace lateral moves, skill diversification, and strategic risk-taking.
Your Next Step
Whether you're a recent graduate considering your first international experience or a mid-career professional seeking meaningful impact, Daniel's journey demonstrates that with curiosity, strategic thinking, and the courage to embrace uncertainty, extraordinary careers in international organizations are within reach.
The OECD's mission of "building better policies for better lives" continues to attract talent from its 38 member countries and beyond. Listen to the full Impactpool podcast with Daniel Fuster to discover more insights on navigating career pivots, building diverse organizations, and leading with purpose in the international development sector.