Looking beyond graduation . . .
Trying to figure out what to do next?
What follows are some opportunities to help you jump-start your career in the public interest.
Think about the things that interest you. What kinds of issues would you like to work on? Are you concerned about the environment, education, or human rights? Think also about the skills that you have, and the kinds of activities you most enjoy. Do you like talking to people, doing research, building websites, planning events? Keep these things in mind as you explore. This website offers suggestions for three types of exploration:
- Some good books to consult
- Careers starters
- Websites with job listing, or career advice
Some Good Books
The Career Services library has some good books to read or browse through as you try to imagine what you would like to be doing after graduation. Some particular titles to look for:
Jobs and Careers with Nonprofit Organizations, by Ron and Caryl Krannick.
The Harvard Guide to Careers in Government and Politics
Good Works
If you think you might want to work for the Federal Government, Working for your Uncle is supposed to be a great resource; we don't have it, but you might find it in a library or bookstore.
Career Starters
I call these careers starters because they are short-term experiences (3 months to 2 years), which will give you an opportunity to explore a career field, make connections in it, and get your career off the ground. Some people who are thinking about going to law school or graduate school do a "career starter" in between college and grad school. A very comprehensive list of interesting opportunities is available through Idealist under the heading "Non-Profit Fellowships".
New York State Senate Graduate/Post-Graduate Fellowships
Spend six months working in NY State Senate. See NY State Government from the inside!
Teach for America
Teach for America is a national corps of outstanding recent college graduates of all academic majors who commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong leaders in the effort to expand opportunity for children. Teaching experience is not required. The program includes a summer training institute and ongoing support. Teach for America participants earn the same salaries as regular teachers, and because the program is part of AmeriCorps, student loans are deferred for two years, and participants earn a $4,725 education award for each year they serve.
Lasallian Volunteer Corps
Lasallian Volunteers are college grads who apply and, if accepted, spend one or two years living in community, working at a Lasallian institution - usually a school, sometimes a social service organization - in the US. In return, the volunteer gets room & board and a small stipend, medical insurance, college loan deferment or forbearance, and AmeriCorps education awards. The Lasallian Volunteer program is a good opportunity for many of our students who may not be sure of their next steps after college. It gives young people a chance to live out the Lasallian value of service to the poor. Lasallian volunteers go on to graduate schools, social work, teaching, and social service organizations. A year-long service commitment provides a sense of meaning and purposefulness often not available through other work experiences.
Training Institute for Careers in Organizing
Want to be a Community Organizer? TICO is a full-time, 12-week training program in community organizing. Trainees receive a stipend during the training, and at the end of the 12 weeks TICO evaluates their skills and strengths and matches them with job openings in community organizations and elsewhere. For further information, contact Training Institute for Careers in Organizing (TICO), c/o Northwest Bronx Community/Clergy Coalition, 718-584-0515; fax 718-733-6922, tico@igc.org
AFL-CIO Organizing Institute
The AFL-CIO Organizing Institute is a 3-month paid training program to match talented people with unions expanding their organizing programs. These are some of the most challenging and fulfilling jobs available to people seeking to make a difference and make a living as part of a movement for change.
NETWORK
is a national Catholic social justice lobby, that, in its own words, "strive[s] to close the gap between rich and poor and to dismantle policies rooted in racism and greed." It sponsors an Associate Program, which is an 11-month supervised program that educates participants in political ministry. The program runs from September through July, the application deadline is February 1. Associates receive a stipend and health benefits.
Peace and Arms Control Fellowship
The Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace and Arms Control Fellowship is a 4-6 month opportunity to work on arms control research and/or advocacy in Washington DC. It is a great opportunity for a college graduate wishing to explore peace and security issues. Financial benefits include a $1,500 monthly stipend, travel expenses and health insurance.
The Peace Corps
The Peace Corps is a great opportunity to be of service in the areas of education, business, environment, agriculture, health or community development - and to experience life in another part of the world. The Peace Corps also offers a Masters International Program, which allows you to earn a master's degree and serve in the Peace Corps.
Websites with useful lists of jobs, internships and career advice
Manhattan College Career Services
You won't know what's there until you look! The Career Services website (and the office, on the 5th floor of Miguel) have lots of resources for anyone trying to figure out what to do with their lives. The website has numerous links to pages with job listings, so explore! One new initiative is the CAll to Serve, a national effort to encourage people to consider jobs in the Federal Government. More than 2.5 million people work for the Federal Government in a wide variety of capacities. Consider whether there might be a rewarding career for you in the Federal Government by exploring Call to Serve.
www.idealist.org
This is the most useful website I have come across for people seeking jobs or internships. This website lists jobs in a wide variety of public interest areas across the country and even, to a lesser extent, around the world.
Online Resources to Find a Job in Political Science
The American Political Science Association has gathered a list of websites to help people in political science find jobs. Some of these will be entry level jobs appropriate for college graduates. Others will be jobs for those with an M.A., Ph.D., or experience, but don't just pass them by! Looking at the jobs available to people with advanced degrees or experience may help you figure out what kind of advanced degree or experience you would like to earn.
City Limits Magazine
If you're interested in public interest work -- community development, social services, organizing, economic development, youth services, etc. -- the listings on the City Limits webpage will give you the latest job openings in New York. You might also want to check out the events listings; if you attend an event of interest to you, you'll get a chance to meet people who are doing work in that area. Networking works!
New York Progressive Network
This politically progressive network lists a small number of jobs and internships.
Women in International Security (WIIS)
WIIS is a membership organization, and job listings are only available to members. Membership, however, is not expensive, and if you are interested in pursuing a job in international relations, it will probably be a good investment.
www.nonprofitjobs.org
www.nonprofitcareer.com
www.communityjobs.org
www.usajobs.opm.gov The site to search for Federal Government employment anywhere in the United States (and jobs abroad, as well).
