I met this week with a representative from TSI Staffing in DC who told me that their company is seeing more and more recent college graduates and other young professionals seeking temp work as a way to get experience in and gain contacts at international organizations, experience and contacts that they hope might lead to full-time jobs in the near future.

“Young professionals are increasingly seeing temp work as a great way to get their foot in the door,” the TSI rep told me. “You get direct and relevant experience, meet people working in the field, show a potential employer that even when you’re unemployed you’re still willing to work, which looks good, and you get a paycheck on top of it all. What’s not to like?”

And are there possibilities to temp for internationally-focused organizations?

“Oh absolutely,” the rep replied. “Especially in DC, there are lots of international organizations looking for temporary help.”

The TSI rep did emphasize, though, that not all staffing agencies work like they do—that is, trying as best they can to place temps with organizations that match their interests. According to the rep, some staffing agencies won’t go to this trouble. I can’t speak to the veracity of this, but it does seem to me that this is a vital point to consider when searching for a staffing agency to help you find a temp position: will they help you seek, as much as possible, positions in the field you want to pursue professionally? A worthwhile criteria to keep in mind as you also consider the broader idea of temping as a way to get a foot in the door.