Building a Career in Not-for-Profit
Origins
The Wellesley College motto Non Ministrari Sed Ministrare serves as an organizing principle that powerfully underscores student and alumnae aspirations. Infused in Wellesley's culture, it permeates the student experience both inside and outside the classroom. Students graduate with a compelling internal agenda to lead--to make a difference in their chosen commitments.
The origins of the Wellesley College Not-for-Profit and Public Service program lie within the Wellesley culture. Students' concern for considering social responsibility when making career choices provided the foundation for the Wellesley College Not-for-Profit and Public Service Program, launched by the Center for Work and Service in fall 2000. The essence of the program is a not-for-profit and public service career track for seniors, yet the program also provides a forum for the broader discussion of social responsibility.
Elements
The Not-for-Profit and Public Service Program provides a comprehensive structure to support students conducting a not-for profit or public service job search, including:- Not-for-Profit and Public Service Job Search Track
The Not-for-Profit and Public Service Job Search Track offers an individualized approach to the job search and recruiting, tailored to those interested in social responsibility and service. An annual fall networking night with alumnae is the first major event of the year. Periodically alumnae are invited back to campus to discuss their careers after this event; the program is complemented by the e-newsletter and career fairs described below. - Not-for-Profit and Public Service e-Newsletter
Seniors receive a weekly electronic newsletter offering practical suggestions and resources for conducting a job search in the not-for-profit and public service sectors. An e-newsletter targeted to underclasswomen is distributed periodically. - Not-for-Profit and Public Service Career Fairs
Students discover job and internship opportunities at the Not-for-Profit and Public Service Career Fair at Wellesley College. More than 80 organizations attend. Wellesley's Center for Work and Service also co-sponsors not-for-profit fairs in Philadelphia and New York City with other colleges and universities.
Collaboration
Collaboration is key to the success of the Not-for-Profit and Public Service Program, allowing us to create community, expand resources, and avoid duplication of services:- Student-staff
The not-for-profit and public service "track" was developed by Center for Work and Service staff and two seniors, with the help of a brainstorming session attended by approximately 70 seniors. Annually we survey seniors to identify their areas of interest within the not-for-profit and government sectors. The Not-for-Profit/Public Service student coordinators assume a high degree of responsibility for programming, under the guidance of the director of Not-for-Profit and Public Service Program. - Faculty-student-staff
We collaborate with faculty from the disciplines of art, education, English, environmental studies, history, international relations, peace and justice studies, philosophy, political science, sociology--sharing information, asking for advice, building new sections of our Web site, and developing programs. We continue to build new partnerships with faculty from all departments. - Alumnae-student-staff
Alumnae participate on panels, submit information for the electronic newsletter--jobs, on-line resources, and scholarships--and offer ideas for programming. Alumnae also serve as a career resource for students through the Wellesley Network. Most recently, Wellesley alumnae have launched a group called Alumnae for Social Responsibility, primarily communicating through a discussion group on the Wellesley College Alumnae Association Web site. - Center for Work and Service Staff
All of the career counselors in the Wellesley College Center for Work and Service are integral to the success of this program, as their work intersects the not-for-profit and public sectors.
More Resources
Wellesley students reach their senior year having benefited from numerous Center for Work and Service not-for-profit and public service resources available to them as undergraduates, including:- Identified Internships and Stipends
Students seeking summer internships may apply to the Center for Work and Service for an identified internship or stipend. Following a competitive selection process, over 200 students may receive an award averaging $3,500
. The majority of funded internships are for positions in service organizations. - Quick Fix Grants
Awards of up to $300 may be given to students who are undertaking a service-related project, ranging from developing a volunteer project for an off-campus not-for-profit organization to attending a professional conference addressing service concerns. - Web and Library Resources
A wealth of resources appears on the Center for Work and Service Web site [http://www.wellesley.edu/CWS] and books are available in the Center for Work and Service Library.