You’re Hired! Quick Tips for Finding a Job in the Consulting Field

By Michelle Migdalovich | BA in International Affairs and Economics | Class of 2016

There is no word to describe the job-search process better than daunting. You will be permanently in a suit and heels, checking GWork incessantly, and your bag will be filled with a million random business cards. Get ready to wait anxiously by the phone like never before (which will NEVER ring when you want it to. FYI—it will almost always ring in the middle of your thesis presentation). However, for me, On-Campus Recruiting (OCR) made this stressful, scary and nerve-wracking process manageable and allowed me to learn skills and techniques in order to become employed post-graduation.

If you are like me and are all over the place in terms of searching for a job, I would first suggest that you choose the top firms in which you have an interest. That way, you get to sincerely focus on those companies. From there, attend all the info sessions you possibly can for those companies to get the general vibe. Info sessions are crucial:  you learn for which positions the firm is recruiting, expectations/procedures, and you get to network with current employees.  Networking with these employees is VITAL. It may be scary and seem unnatural, but they are there to help, so put yourself at ease and get out there! You might not even think about it, but even staying after a session and asking some questions will help those employees remember your face – you never know who will be conducting your interview!

Quick tip: Always ask for a business card after you speak to someone, add him or her on LinkedIn if you feel comfortable doing so, and always, always, always send a friendly thank you e-mail note!

Next: the dreaded interview.  When preparing for the consulting field, the case study is seemingly the scariest part of the interview process. Grabbing a buddy and doing practice case studies is truly what helped me the most – you start to understand the patterns of the cases and for what the interviewer may be looking. There are different strategies to the case study, and most companies post practice cases online that are very helpful (Deloitte’s are broken down by sector and are great!). YouTube and the MConsulting Prep videos are lifesavers. Another odd tip is to learn how to write down the information presented in the case study in an organized way, so that when you are under pressure, you can easily keep your thoughts straight. For behavioral interviews, grab your buddy and practice potential questions out loud. There are a bunch of practice questions you can find both online and in the Interview Prep Guide from the Center for Career Services. The more you practice, the easier these questions become. Soon enough, your answers will come automatically and authentically!

Another helpful tip for interviews is to become knowledgeable about the company. This includes going on their website or Wikipedia and learning the company structure, reaching out to people on LinkedIn and asking them why they enjoy where they work, or looking at the firm’s charity efforts and programs. Be specific about why exactly you would like to work for this firm. For example, before my second round Deloitte interview (I will be starting there in October as a Strategy and Operations Analyst), I spoke on the phone with an employee from Boston. He described the competitive and stimulating environment at Deloitte and told me how he was never bored. This was exactly the kind of environment I felt I could succeed in. When asked “Why Deloitte?” in my interview, I had a very succinct answer that displayed initiative and genuine interest. Employers find this initiative and specificity very impressive because it demonstrates thoroughness and passion.

Another important thing to do is to know your resume inside and out. I was asked during one Super Day to take each interviewer through my resume. Include interesting activities you enjoy such as music, hiking, reading, etc. and be sure that for all of your previous jobs, you explain not what you did, but what you learned.

Quick Tip: your resume should show not only tasks you’ve completed but also how those tasks were useful to the employer. For example: instead of writing, “Prepared and compiled extensive research of the U.S. Code,” write “Prepared and compiled extensive research of the U.S. Code for UN use.” This will show the interviewer not only what you completed, but why you did so and what it was used for.

Lastly, the one piece of advice that I received during the process that really changed the way I viewed interviews was “be confident”. That might sound simple and obvious, but it makes all the difference. If you are in a case study and are not sure what the interviewer is looking for, describe your reasoning and be confident in it.  I had one interview in which I simply could not grasp the case study.  I took a breath and started talking about something I knew and in which I was confident: how to build a regression. Little did I know that my interviewer’s specialty was econometrics.  You may not provide the exact answer, but your answer might be the creative and different outlook for which your interviewer is looking. Don’t question your answer: during an interview, your goal should be to show that you are passionate, excited, and confident in your abilities – so simply be confident!

I will leave you with this: the job-search process is daunting and not particularly what anyone wants to be doing the fall of their senior year, however, the ends completely justify the means. The Center for Career Services is truly there for you – for interview prep, resume workshops, and to answer any questions you may have (I bothered them incessantly and have the inbox to prove it).  So grab a Redbull (or three), a coffee, some resume paper, post-up in GelHell, and best of luck!

5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Internship

By Ambar Mesa | B.A. Economics | Expected May 2017

This summer I’m interning at a financial services firm in New York City, but before I really figured out what my career interests were I explored different fields from non-profit to market research. While the industries may be different, making the most of my internship was always a constant.

1. Stay updated with company/industry news.
   Whether you’re working for a Fortune 500 company or a small start-up, staying informed on changes in the industry will give you a better scope of what gives your organization a competitive advantage and the meaning behind your work as an intern. Fully grasping that concept will allow you to perform better on your projects and tasks and put you in a position to be able to hold a conversation with other employees on the different challenges and innovations in the industry. Consider some of the following email newsletters for a quick read with your morning coffee!
   1. TheSkimm
   2. New York Times Morning Briefing
   3. Finimize (Financial News)
   4. Bloomberg Markets (Financial News)

2. Networking never stops.
   You decided to apply for and accept this internship because you’re interested in the field and it is something you may wish to pursue in the future. You may have networked with a recruiter or some of the employees that interviewed you, but now that you’re here, take the time to network with your team, members of your department or other departments to really understand the operations of the organization. You want people to know your name and the projects you’re working on! Tip: Don’t forget the other interns – many of them have had other internships and can also be great people to have in your network as you progress through your career.

3. Become a subject-matter expert.
   If you’re assigned a project for the duration of your internship, make sure you ask all the right questions to understand the scope of the assignment and how it will be useful after it leaves your desk. You want to make sure you’re the go-to person for any questions regarding the project – a perfect way to add value during your time at the organization!

4. Set meaningful goals and track your accomplishments.
   At the beginning of your internship, sit down and have a meeting with your manager to set some objectives and skills you’d like to gain by the end of the internship. As the weeks go by, outline your accomplishments and share them with your manager. This will show initiative and it’s a good way for your manager to get to know your strengths and interest. Tip: Don’t forget about your areas of improvement. While meeting goals and accomplishments is great, it’s the constructive criticism that will help you grow throughout your career.

5. When you’re an intern, all tasks are equally exciting.
   It’s important to keep in mind how fortunate you are to have been given this opportunity and how many other people would love to be in your shoes! That being said, whether you’re asked to run different models for a client presentation or make copies for a meeting, your enthusiasm should be equal for both. Trust me, managers will always remember those moments.

My Post-GW Life in Health Insurance

By David Harvey | B.A. Political Science ’15

At The Meltzer Group, we help companies find world-class benefits to attract and retain the best employees. Health benefits are often every business’s second largest cost, which means that CFOs and HR directors turn to The Meltzer Group to help guide them through the complexities of health insurance.

It has been a few months since I joined The Meltzer Group. On any given day I analyze a company’s sources of health claims, perform actuary duties, track monthly trends and benchmark market trends among other responsibilities.

My liberal arts degree from George Washington University has helped me in the workforce in ways most people would not expect. No one said health insurance is easy to understand and our clients often want it both ways: More generous benefits for less money.  These two goals often work against each other in the benefits world. However, my political science degree helped me develop critical thinking, analysis,and problem-solving skills, among others, therefore I understand how to weave through contradictory goals and find the best insurance products for our clients.

Learning is extremely important in this industry because health insurance is always changing. In just one week a new regulation could be passed, a carrier may announce it intends to spike premiums for their renewals, and an expensive brand name specialty drug could hit the market. That is why in order to balance new trends and information I tell my people the most important thing anyone can learn in college is how to learn! You can do this by reading more than your required materials in class, keeping up with your industry’s news, and most importantly doing independent academic research. Challenge yourself and become an expert in an industry that speaks to you.

A strong sense of math and statistics is also extremely important. If it were not for the series of statistics classes I took at GW, it would be difficult to understand the complex claims information I work with every day. Like learning an instrument, statistics takes time so start early!

In conclusion, the advice I would give to GW students and recent graduates is to work hard and learn hard! My experiences during my time at the university made this evident to me and now that I am in the “real world”, I am able to put these practices into play each and every day.

 

Maximize Your First 90 Days in a New Job

By Alessia Marsiglio | BA International Affairs ’15

Just a few weeks after the GW commencement on the National Mall, I moved to the UK and joined CEB as an Account Management Associate. Ever since then, I have grown immensely and taken away so many valuable lessons about the business world and life in general! Exactly a year later, I’m happy to share some of the best tips I’ve learned and would give anyone looking to maximize their first 90 days in a new job.

1. Be attentive

Remember to interact with everyone you come across. Simple things like shaking everyone’s hand and making an effort to remember people’s names can go a long way!

2. Get out there!

You will have plenty of opportunities coming your way when you immerse yourself in a new office and role. When someone asks you to join them for lunch, your neighbor asks you for a quick favor, or you have the opportunity to participate in a company-wide event, be willing to put yourself out there and get involved.

3. Don’t be afraid to ask questions

As a new person to the office, team, and company, it’s normal to have many questions. In fact, over the first few weeks, you may find yourself questioning more and more things. This is normal and understandable, so don’t be afraid to ask those questions. Take advantage of the fact that this is the time when people are most willing to help.

4. Find your support system

Like any change in life or new experience, there will always be highs and lows. Be sure you make an effort to get to know the people with whom you work. After all, you will be spending the majority of your time with them. It’s important to find a group of people with whom you can celebrate your successes and also lean on during challenging times. Take the time to build friendships and find people you admire who can become your mentors. These relationships are crucial to your professional development and overall happiness wherever you work!

5. Make a plan of action

When you start a new job, it’s often easy to get caught up in the excitement of it all and only focus on the day to day. However, it’s actually never too early to think long-term. Take the time to sit down with your manager to understand career progression opportunities within the organization and where you can fit in the longer term. Of course, this is subject to change, but being conscious of the path your development must take will help guide you, not to mention show real dedication to those around you.

6. Don’t dodge KPI’s

KPI’s or Key Performance Indicators are one of the most dreaded aspects of many roles. This is essentially how your company and boss will be assessing your performance and impact on the organization. This may sound daunting, but if you ask and inform yourself clearly about your KPI’s and what is expected of you early on, this will help you immensely and be a source of motivation.

7. Learn from the best

When you are new to an organization you will most likely have many chances to shadow some of your coworkers with more experience. Whether this is part of your onboarding or not, take a moment to decide who are some of the top performers that you would like to learn from and go ask them for advice. Actively seeking out opportunities to learn from the best will help set you up well from the start and certainly will help you learn faster than by figuring everything out on your own.

8.  SMILE 

This may seem like a small detail, but people tend to be drawn towards and remember a friendly face, so smile and exude positivity!

We Will Change It

 

By Sarah Dahnke
M.A. International Development Studies
Concentration in Water Resource Management in the Middle East and North Africa
(Expected 2017)

It was only 9 a.m., but the sun loomed overhead like a furnace. As we walked to the baptism site – the place where John the Baptist baptized Jesus – the Jordanian youth water trustees chatted with my colleagues and me in English. We talked about our studies and joked about the American election.

Having graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Global Studies with a minor in Middle Eastern Studies and now pursuing a master’s in International Development, I assumed that I knew a great deal about this broad concept called the Middle East. What this internship and my experiences in Jordan have taught me, is that I still have so much to learn. I had no idea how generous and inviting the Jordanian people were, and I underestimated the great sense of pride my coworkers would have in their king and the progress they made as a country. Most importantly, I have a newfound appreciation for my Jordanian colleagues as sources of vital knowledge to enhance my understanding of local and national issues.

My feet slipped on the stone steps leading to the Jordan River. I was here with my office – EcoPeace Middle East – to document a cross-border interaction between Jordanian and Israeli youth water trustees. Today’s activity was part of the Good Water Neighbors (GWN) Project, which works to unite cross-border communities in Israel, Palestine and Jordan around shared water problems. Through collaborating on sustainable water management, they build trust and arrive at common solutions that make way for peace and understanding, even during times of conflict.

Only 15 feet wide and an opaque green, the Jordan River serves as a natural barrier between Israel and Jordan, further emphasized by armed guards on each side. I looked across the river with my Jordanian colleagues at the tourists on the opposite bank, as they slipped into the dark water to be baptized. Next to the tourists stood a group of Israeli youth water trustees, from the EcoPeace Middle East office in Tel Aviv. One of their signs read water has no borders. Taking the cue from their counterparts across the river, the Jordanian youth trustees lined up at the water’s edge.

Altogether the students sang, “We will, we will change it.” The words echoed in the arid valley. Although the students could not physically join hands in solidarity, their voices rose up and became a force of their own. They would inspire the restoration of the Jordan River for generations to come. It was in this moment that I truly understood the importance of unity in environmental stewardship.

For updates on my work with EcoPeace Middle East, please visit my blog at involvetheworld.com.

 

The Learning Never Stops

My Freshman Summer Internship Experience: Part Two
by Danielle Zukoff, B.A. Economics ’19

After interning for seven weeks at Vested, a Manhattan communications firm that helps financial services companies with their public relations strategies, I can wholeheartedly and confidently say that I would like to continue working in the financial sector. Throughout my time at Vested, I’ve communicated directly with clients, allowing me to gain a deep understanding of the financial industry and reaffirmed my desire to ultimately work within this sector.

As a 19-year old, I wasn’t exactly used to what people call the “real world”, i.e., working from 9am to 6pm Monday–Friday. During my freshman year, I had learned how to balance my school work with my social life, my passion for running, and my joy for reading books. Things got busy at times, and maybe I had to occasionally reschedule dinner with a friend because of an exam, but nothing too crazy back then. I quickly learned from my time at Vested, however, that the “real world” is a little different. Working forty-five hours per week, keeping myself up-to-date with news, and trying to run five days a week while also maintaining a social life isn’t as simple. Once I get home from work, its already 8pm, and I have to be ten hours later, so there are only a few hours I have before I need to start getting ready for bed.

Working a full-time internship has taught me the importance of prioritization, whether it’s deciding how to spend my spare time or determining which article to read. When I get on the NJ Transit at 7am, I sift through the Wall Street Journal as quickly as I can, absorbing the important information and disregarding everything else. Almost every morning, I’m so engaged in an article I’m reading that I literally have to force myself out of my seat to get off the bus. By the time I arrive at work, I feel confident in my awareness of all major events occurring throughout the world, and even more aware of the economic and financial-related news.

I believe this intellectual curiosity that starts the second my alarm goes off in the morning follows me into the workplace. From my first day, I’ve realized how this indispensable trait has allowed me to maximize my time as an intern. Over time, I’ve developed the self-confidence to circulate articles that I found particularly interesting to my entire team, hoping that they would appreciate the email and enjoy reading the article. At work, I’m always keen to offer a helping hand in completing any task, as I know that there’s always something new I can learn.

Throughout my time at Vested so far, I’ve genuinely learned how to take advantage of every second. I know that there isn’t always necessarily a task for me to complete, but I’m never bored. I’m eager to learn more about our clients and expand my knowledge on the financial sector. For me, free time means more time for me to educate myself on the immense and dynamic field of finance. There’s an unlimited amount of information out there, and I know that there’s always going to be something new for me to learn. Instead of sitting at work with no task at hand, I put my head down, and read whatever I can get my hands on.

After only seven weeks, I’ve learned how important it is to possess intellectual curiosity. Without it, I would have spent long hours at work staring into space wondering how to occupy my time. With it, I wonder how there is ever enough time for me to learn everything the world has to offer. At this point, I’ve come to peace with the fact that I will never know everything, but that I can reach a happy medium through always maintaining an intellectual curiosity.

Read “My Freshman Summer Internship Experience: Part One”

Interested in writing for the #GWCareerSuccess blog? If you are a GW student, alumni, faculty, staff or affiliated employer, please consider contributing a post! For more information, contact us at gwcareerblog@gmail.com. 

The Key to Networking & Success: 4 Steps

Guillermo J. Martinez | BA Political Science and Political Communication |  Expected Graduation Date: May 2017 | @GuilleMarti

Many friends and students I work with at the GW Center for Career Services have talked to me about how they are often put off by the idea of networking, usually for two reasons.  First, it’s hard; second, they see it as fouled by flattery and the pursuit of one’s selfish advantage.

While I partially agree with the first assessment, I feel forced to debunk the second.  Networking is a key component of the current job market and, if understood properly, can help you get to know yourself better while you chase your most ambitious goals.  Along the way, you’ll also meet wonderful and inspiring people that can help define your professional career.

As do many GW students, I started my freshman year with a tentative idea of what I wanted to do, but with no clear path to get there.  In defining that path, I gradually developed a more proactive personality that became useful in tracing my own route.  Especially after the end of my sophomore year, I came to realize the importance of communication, determination, positivity and, yes, networking in one’s professional development.

Following my best academic semester to date and my acceptance of the Career Ambassador job for the Center for Career Services in May 2015, I was determined to seek the best opportunities possible.  To do this, I established four simple steps that have been crucial for my own professional growth so far.

1. Get to know yourself professionally: Discover what you like and don’t like in a work environment, and jot down the positive qualities you can bring to a position. Although your first instinct might be to just “go with it”, engaging in this thought process can help you express your thoughts more clearly and use the messages that are most relevant to a particular job.

This process can be completed in several ways.  The first –and obvious- one is to work!  While you do it, pay close attention to what your strengths are.  What do you excel at?  In which areas do you need to improve?  What makes you passionate?  Answering these questions will prepare you to define your interests and brand yourself to a potential employer.

Beyond that, be thoughtful of your personal strengths as well, since a substantial component of networking is combining your personal and professional traits. How do you connect better with people?  Do you like portraying positivity, security, and/or openness in a conversation?  This doesn’t have to be a textbook exercise, but being aware of your own attributes will help you succeed in any setting.  Since we all mature and evolve with time, don’t expect this process to ever end.

2. Set short and long-term goals: I’m a big proponent of carpe diem and living the moment, but I also believe that setting goals can help you enjoy those present moments even more. These don’t have to be set in stone, but having a sense of direction can help you decipher your next steps.

If you’re unsure of what your goals are, steps 3 and 4 can potentially help you to determine those.  After all, a reasonable short-term goal is to establish bigger goals, so long as you make an active effort to meet your objective.

3. Push your boundaries: And I mean PUSH. Don’t settle for the comfort zone and don’t disregard possible opportunities because they seem hard to achieve. If you work hard on both your credentials and on building a strong network, the results will come.

Seek feedback from those who have had experience in your fields of interest.  If you’re taking classes that you really like, look for your professors’ curriculum vitae (CV) online and read about their work and experience.  After that, meet with them to talk about your interests and obtain their perspective.  You never know what can come out of that conversation.

Similarly, don’t be troubled by the idea of contacting someone within a company or organization.  A great way to network is to ask someone about his or her experience.  Some might not respond, but you’ll never know unless you try.  If it’s over email, phone, or coffee, every bit of information will help you trace a clearer path for yourself.  Plus, these contacts might be beneficial for a future job hunt.

Finally, once you’ve landed an internship or job, make sure you do more than just producing quality work.   Build a strong working relationship with your peers and always be willing to move around and meet new people.  Talk to your supervisors about their experience and provide your insight.  Doing this will mean a better experience for you and a stronger set of connections.

4. Take advantage of available resources: Some of the things I have mentioned in the three previous steps require practice and guidance. That’s what the Center for Career Services is here for. If you want to learn more about writing the perfect resume and cover letter, interacting in networking events, looking for potential jobs or internships, or even writing a professional email, our career coaches and ambassadors can provide instrumental support.

Likewise, take advantage of the various programs that are designed to facilitate internship, work, and educational opportunities.  The perfect example is the Knowledge in Action Career Internship Fund (KACIF) that helps students every semester deal with the financial burden of an unpaid internship.  This is a resource that has made my current internship at the DC Superior Court possible.  If you take the time to complete these applications thoroughly and project your professional and personal traits, you’ll have a much better chance of being selected.

Don’t be put off by the idea of networking and seeking opportunities.  Yes – it can seem uncomfortable and even superficial at times, but you don’t have to see it that way.  Choose to see it as an opportunity to show who you really are and what your skills are.  Plus, it’s a vital component of the contemporary job market.  If you embrace this reality, you will have more control over your own future.

“Virtue in obscurity is rewarded only in heaven.  To succeed in this world, you have to be known to people.”

– Justice Sonia Sotomayor

 

*****

Have an unpaid Fall internship? Apply for funding through KACIF!
KACIF provides grants ranging up to $3,000 to current GW students pursuing unpaid internships in their field. The GW Knowledge in Action Career Internship Fund applications must be submitted by Friday, July 15.

For more information on eligibility requirements, click here.
Follow @gwinternfund #GWKACIF

Dream Job Interview? How to Make Sure You’re Prepared

By Tamara Mizrachi
Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs, Concentration in Global Public Health
Minors in Sustainability, Sociocultural Anthropology
May 2016

As a senior at George Washington University, quickly approaching graduation, I had put as much time and attention into job hunting as if it was another one of my classes. But often, between the targeted resumes, specific cover letters, LinkedIn investigations, and career fairs, the last thing I had prepared for were interview questions. So a few days before an interview, I found myself stressed wondering what type of interview questions would be asked. I tried to schedule a last-minute mock interview session at the Center for Career Services, but there were none available at that time. However, I discovered something on GWork, the Center’s online career management platform, that changed that process for me – an amazing tool that eased a lot of my nerves— Interview Stream!

Interview Stream either has a premade interview for you, based on your interests in business, for example, or you can create your own interview with thousands of questions from which to choose. The questions that you can program are very realistic, and are separated by different industry fields—such as public health or marketing—or by level—such as post-graduate or administrative assistant—or they are more general behavioral or experiential questions. When you choose an interview, a person will ask you the questions and then record you for two minutes. After that question, you can review it and see how you formulated your answer, and then can choose to redo it if you are not happy with your initial answer or if you’d like to have more practice, as I often do. Later on, you can watch the interview to remind yourself of how you would answer questions or to prepare the day of your interview.

The night before my interview, my outfit already picked out and my plan for arriving at the interview timed, I surfed Interview Stream to predict what the company might ask and to put my nerves at ease. I wish I had found this tool earlier during my time as a student at GW. I am happy to say that now I go into interviews confident and ready, and that has helped me land follow-up interviews and job offers! It has honestly completely changed my job hunt and I encourage you to try it for yourself!

My First Informational Interview

By: Daniela Reeve
Major: Economics and Statistics & Minor: Mathematics
Expected Graduation: May 2018

Like many students, I did not know what informational interviews are or why I should do one, before this past summer. A coworker put me in touch with a recruiter for the Federal Reserve Board, and recommended I set up an informational interview. One of the career coaches explained that informational interviews are for people looking into working for an employer but want to know more first. They are essentially interviews where the recruiter is interviewed on questions about the company that are not explained on their website/job postings.

After I had the contact information for the recruiter, I had to reach out about setting up an informational interview. This was probably the hardest part, because it wasn’t applying for a job or anything else that they had initiated. I had to be the one to email them first about setting up a time to meet. I emailed the recruiter like I would any potential employer, with a professional, polite email. I let her tell me when would work best because I wanted to be as accommodating as possible, as she was taking time out of her day to meet with me. We decided on meeting at her office, but you could also give the option of having one at a coffee shop or other meeting place.

Once the meeting was set up, I started making up my questions. I wanted to ask questions that were not too complicated, but specific to me. One question that I asked had to do with my experiences working in positions where at least half of my coworkers were women, and working under only female supervisors. Traci, the recruiter, was able to answer most of my questions, but for the more specific questions about their internships with the economists there, she put me in the direction for getting those questions answered. She introduced me to one of the interns so that I could get a better idea of the internship program, who then went on to give me a tour and introduce me to other interns that were working in areas I was more interested in.

Although an informational interview is not a job interview, it is with a potential future employer, so it was something I prepared for and take seriously. I prepared for it by updating my resume, forming my questions before-hand, and asking career coaches questions about it before-hand. I used the guide on informational interviews that the CCS provides to help prepare.

It is now October, and since meeting with Traci this summer, she has come to me with a couple of opportunities for interviews. While an informational interview will not guarantee a job interview or any other employment opportunity, it is a way to let a recruiter know who you are and that you are interested in the firm. Overall, an informational interview helped me get my name out there, learn more about a place I have some interest in working, and can helped me feel more comfortable in the interviews I’ve had with the Fed since the informational interview.

GW Debate: Advocacy & Professional Development

by Julia Goldman | B.A. Candidate in International Affairs | ESIA ’18

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In the past three years, I have traveled to the NASA Ames Research Center in California, ate a casual dinner with a four-star French general, and wandered around the French equivalent of the White House. None of this would have been possible without the GW Debate & Literary Society, also known as GWDebate.

GWDebate is more than your high school debate team. The team is a communications society, and while we go to traditional debate tournaments we also work on what we call civic debate projects. As a part of civic debate projects, we partner with civil society organizations for advocacy projects. In the past few years, we have partnered with NASA to talk about the morality of space exploration, the French Embassy in the run up to the 21st Conference of Parties in Paris, and the Indonesian Tourism Ministry to develop sustainable tourism plans.

One of the major goals of GWDebate is advocacy development. Via our participation in multiple kinds of debate, we learn how to communicate with any possible stakeholder. During the 2015-2016 year, the team worked on the NASA Astrobiology Debates, in which we worked in partnership with NASA to create scholarship on the morality of space exploration. I was lucky enough to debate in the final round of the NASA Astrobiology Debates Western Championship. As a part of that round, I advocated for the preservation of extraterrestrial microbial life in front of an amazing panel of experts, including the current head of the NASA Astrobiology program, the former head and founder of the NASA Astrobiology program, and a former astronaut, among others. As an international affairs major these were people that I never would have imagined being in the same room with, let alone having them take my opinions on astrobiology seriously. I then got to take the skills that I used in the debate space into the real world with a trip to the NASA Ames Research Center, where I spoke with scientists, lawyers, and students about the future of space exploration.

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Debate has taught me how to advocate, how to talk to people, how to build an effective argument. and how to be a professional.

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The other focus of the GWDebate team is professional development. Each project that we undertake is designed to help members of the team develop our professional skills and achieve our career aspirations. During my freshman year, I was presented with the opportunity to intern with the French Embassy’s Cultural Services Department. In my role at the embassy, I helped to plan the Lafayette Debates, a tournament that was comprised of nearly 100 students from three different countries. I also gained experience in website upkeep, running online competitions, and professional communications. As a topper to my internship, I traveled to Paris as a part of the French Embassy’s Young Ambassador’s Program. In Paris, I had the amazing opportunity to meet with senior level French, British, and American diplomats in advance of the 21st Conference of Parties. This initial opportunity helped to set me apart in the subsequent interviews that I went into, and developed my collegiate resume.

Employers say that communication skills are some of the most important attributes that they look at when considering a candidate. My journey with the GWDebate team has led me to a lot of places, including upstate New York, Paris, France, Mountain View, California, and a few random rest stops in New Jersey. But more than the places to which I’ve been, debate has taught me how to advocate, how to talk to people, how to build an effective argument. and how to be a professional.

These skills will be with me long after graduation and into my career.

Forget About Your Degree, Graduate with a B.A. in Networking

By Holly Ratcliffe  ∣  BA International Development  ∣ ESIA ’15

Okay, maybe it’s not the greatest idea to totally forget about your degree – and I highly recommend you keep studying for those exams.

With that being said, throughout my four years at GW and the (almost) two years since graduation, I have found that networking is the single most important thing you can do for your career. Let me repeat, networking is the single most important thing you can do for your career.

Can networking be construed as selfishly advantageous? Sure it can. But fortunately or unfortunately, it is the way the game is played. Making those personal connections is crucial because you are no longer just an applicant on paper; you are a personality and a resource that stands out from the rest.  

Let me preface this by saying I studied international affairs and, therefore, can only speak to pursuing a career in that field. However, I suspect that many of my peers, particularly those with bachelor’s degrees, are in the same boat. In this line of work, whether it is in the government or private sector, getting to know the professionals who are already in your desired field or who have experience working with them is the best way to break into the field.

We all know that this generation of recent or soon-to-be graduates face some of the toughest employment odds in recent history. This is largely due to the fact that there are more educated young people looking for work than there are jobs to employ them. Getting your undergraduate degree is no longer a sure-fire way to gain employment at the end of your four years in college. So how do you improve your odds of landing that dream (entry-level) position? You’ve got it: networking.

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Making personal connections is crucial because you are no longer just an applicant on paper; you are a personality and a resource that stands out from the rest.

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There are several ways you can network, all of which have proven helpful to me and my pursuit of all things YoPro*:

1. Internships

One of the main reasons I chose to attend GW for my undergraduate career was the endless internship prospects. Living in D.C. provides opportunities unlike any other school in the country and maybe the world. Take advantage of that! Be sure to form solid bonds and even friendships with your supervisors and bosses. Take chances during your tenure and show off your skills. When you leave your internship, be sure to keep in touch and let them know what you’ve been up to. When it comes time to look for employment, you will be able to reach out to your past colleagues and ask them for contacts in their field or ideas on where to apply. You can even use them for references! 

       2. Professors and GW resources

Although it may not always feel like it, your professors are actually rooting for you. If you have one or two professors with whom you have either connected or who teach a subject that particularly interests you, ask if they’d be willing to help you. Many professors have a long history of working in their field before joining the GW team, and therefore have contacts and connections that could prove useful to you. Ask for advice and direction on how to navigate your industry; and I promise you will walk away with a slew of new options, ideas, and support.

Another networking resource that we sometimes forget is the GW Center for Career Services. Imagine this: an entire team of amazingly talented people whose primary focus is to help YOU find a job. From assistance with fixing your resume; to sharpening your interview skills; to narrowing down your ideal organization; the Center’s career coaches can help with all aspects of the pre-employment process. This resource doesn’t stop once you graduate either. As a GW alumna or alumnus, you can use the Center at all stages of your initial career search, and I recommend you do! The Center helped me narrow my job search and focus my applications on organizations that were best aligned with my interests and skills.

         3. Jobs for which you’ve interviewed

This is perhaps the most untapped source for networking, but in my case, it proved to be the most effective. After finding out that I did not receive a position at an organization that I was extremely interested in, I was not quite ready to close the door. I decided to add something extra to the traditional “I am disappointed but thank you for your time” email. I reached out to my interviewer, who also happened to be the vice president of the organization, to see if she would be willing to sit down with me to provide some feedback. I wasn’t necessarily looking for feedback on my interview, but rather her advice on career paths for women in my field. This can be intimidating, especially knowing that these professionals have a lot on their plates and rarely have time to eat lunch, let alone take twenty minutes to get coffee with you. However, in many cases, they know and understand the difficulties of looking for a job and are willing, and even honored, to impart their wisdom on the next generation of workers. In fact, you may very well find a lifelong mentor. In my case, I did this twice with the same organization, and on the third time, I was hired! Vigilance is key.

I recommend using all of these options as you never know from where you will receive your big break. Networking can be exhausting and at times also discouraging. But with perseverance and a little confidence, it can make all the difference. 

*YoPro – Young Professional

 

What Are Your Top 5?

By Allison Coukos  ∣ BA Political Science  ∣ May 2018 (Expected)

This fall GW College Republicans had the incredible opportunity to work with the GW Center for Career Services (CCS) as part of our Executive Board leadership retreat. During our retreat, members of our executive board came together, took the StrengthsQuest™ assessment*, and discussed our different strengths with a CCS Career Coach.  The assessment had 34 different themes.  Out of these, 5 would be our individual top strengths.  On our board, we had Achievers, Includers, Woos, and everything in between.  The StrengthsQuest™ assessment put into words what our different strengths were and how we could use our respective strengths to further not just ourselves but our board as a whole.  The Career Services Coach worked with us to learn how to use these tools to apply what we learned about our strengths to our work on the College Republicans Executive Board.

The College Republicans leadership retreat was my first experience working with Career Services, however, it will not be my last.  The Center helped me not only better understand my own strengths but helped me understand the strengths of my peers as well.  This enabled me to understand how I could not only better contribute to College Republicans Executive Board but also how I could use my strengths to collaborate with my fellow board members on future projects.  Our key strengths were different, vastly so.  However, these differences – highlighted by Career Services – illustrated to us what made our board great.

Our strengths, no matter how different, could be used to better our organization. 

Everyone has different strengths.  The GW Center for Career Services team helped us understand what the strengths of members of College Republicans Executive Board were and how to better apply them.  The Center also illustrated to me how I can apply my strengths beyond my work on College Republicans Executive Board, including within the classroom, at my internships, and in other organizations.  The lessons that I learned during our leadership retreat will help me in my career development long after I leave College Republicans Executive Board and George Washington University.

*If you would like to learn more about identifying your strengths register in GWork for an upcoming “Know Your Talents and Find Success With StrengthsQuest™” assessment workshop. Upcoming sessions: Feb 27, March 7, 22 & 31, and April 4 & 17. You may also schedule an assessment appointment in GWork with a Career Exploration & Assessment Coach from the Center for Career Services.

What Are Your Top 5?

 

By Allison Coukos  ∣ BA Political Science  ∣ May 2018 (Expected)

This fall GW College Republicans had the incredible opportunity to work with GW Center for Career Services (CCS) as part of our Executive Board leadership retreat.  During our retreat, members of our executive board came together, took the StrengthsQuest™ assessment*, and discussed our different strengths with a CCS Career Coach.  The assessment had 34 different themes.  Out of these, 5 would be our individual top strengths.  On our board, we had Achievers, Includers, Woos, and everything in between.  The StrengthsQuest™ assessment put into words what our different strengths were and how we could use our respective strengths to further not just ourselves but our board as a whole.  The Career Services Coach worked with us to learn how to use these tools to apply what we learned about our strengths to our work on the College Republicans Executive Board.

The College Republicans leadership retreat was my first experience working with Career Services, however, it will not be my last.  The Center helped me not only better understand my own strengths but helped me understand the strengths of my peers as well.  This enabled me to understand how I could not only better contribute to College Republicans Executive Board but also how I could use my strengths to collaborate with my fellow board members on future projects.  Our key strengths were different, vastly so.  However, these differences – highlighted by Career Services – illustrated to us what made our board great. Our strengths, no matter how different, could be used to better our organization.  

Everyone has different strengths.  The GW Center for Career Services team helped us understand what the strengths of members of College Republicans Executive Board were and how to better apply them.  The Center also illustrated to me how I can apply my strengths beyond my work on College Republicans Executive Board.  I can apply my strengths in the classroom, at my internships, and in other organizations.  The lessons that I learned during our leadership retreat will help me in my career development long after I leave College Republicans Executive Board and George Washington University.

*If you would like to learn more about identifying your strengths register in GWork for an upcoming “Know Your Talent and Find Success With StrengthsQuest™” assessment workshop. Upcoming sessions: Feb 27, March 7, 22 & 31, and April 4 & 17. You may also schedule an assessment appointment in GWork with a Career Exploration & Assessment Coach from the Center for Career Services.

Connecting People with Politics: My Internship at the White House

By Jazmin Kay ∣ Bachelor of Arts in Political Science ∣ May 2019 (expected)

From a young age, I have always been motivated by the power to create positive change. This passion for advocating for others beyond myself was always something with which I grappled. How could I turn this passion into something that I could work towards every day? How could I help the most people? I found that the answer to this call was for me to connect people with politics.

When Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) was first elected to the presidency of the United States in 2008, I was ten years old.  Growing up during the Obama Administration, I had always admired the work that was being done. However, the young girl wearing an over-sized Obama t-shirt staying up past her bedtime to watch the election results from her couch never imagined she would one day be able to see firsthand how the work happens within the White House.

Serving as a White House intern one thing became clear to me: the Obama Administration worked tirelessly every day to ensure every American had a fair shot and would be able to reach their full potential regardless of their zip code, gender, religion, or race.

As an intern in the White House Office of Digital Strategy (ODS), I was able to witness this commitment hands-on and engage people across the nation to amplify the president’s message. From drafting content for the official White House social media channels such as Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr, to authoring blogs on such topics as women’s rights, education, climate change, and making a difference in one’s community — ODS provided a collaborative, creative, and meaningful workplace for me to learn and explore how the Executive Office of the President uses digital tools to further engagement with the American people.  Additionally, I had the opportunity to help out with the first-ever White House festival, South by South Lawn, and attended a weekly speaker series with senior White House officials that had included the president himself as well as First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Biden, and many others.

Overall, my experience as a part of the White House Internship Program, specifically as a member of the incredible ODS team, helped support my passion for public service and inspired me to work even harder to ensure equal opportunity for all and to take what I had learned back home to my community in New York and to my life here as a student on campus.

I remember on my first visit to George Washington University on Admitted Students Day, I had sat on the pavement in front of the White House with my mom and imagined one day walking through the gates behind me. From the four blocks between GW’s campus and 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, there is almost a palpable feeling that one can create change in the world. As GW students, we are uniquely positioned to go out and make the world a better place. My internship at the White House helped solidify this belief. If we as students, friends, and citizens, can all come together and create innovative new approaches to the challenges in the world, there will be nothing that we cannot accomplish together.

Jazmin received funding support for her Fall 2016 internship at the White House thru a grant from the GW Knowledge in Action Career Internship Fund (KACIF). If you would like to review KACIF funding options for your Summer 2017 internship, please review information on the program and application timelines and procedures at go.gwu.edu/internfund.  The KACIF Summer 2017 Early Decision application period began February 15, and runs thru March 1, 2017; the Summer 2017 General Application period will run April 1-15, 2017. 

How to Leverage Study Abroad Experience to Get a Job or Internship

By Rachel Dimston
Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs
May 2017 (expected)

 As you study in Gelman and drown your sorrows at Tonic, you will often overhear other students, both undergraduate and graduate, discussing their many internships and jobs. Although the tan you acquired in Barcelona and the impeccable accent you gained while studying in Guangzhou province are both nice perks of study abroad, you may be left feeling bereft after returning to campus from abroad while your classmates were gaining valuable work experience and additions to their resumes. However, your study abroad experience can be used to communicate to employers about your skills, interests, and capabilities in a much more specific way than a basic job or entry-level office position. Below are ten areas in which your study abroad experience can help during your job search and job application process in order to achieve your career goals.

1. Resume Addition

Under the education section of your resume you can list your program, program dates, and relevant coursework in order to communicate immediately that you have international experience. By adding your study abroad experience to your resume, you can also encourage employers to ask you about it during your interview, prompting questions you should absolutely be able to answer. Here’s an example:

2. Interviews

Now that you’ve informed your interviewer that you’ve studied abroad, you may receive the opportunity to answer questions about your experience. For behavioral questions especially, your experiences in a foreign country are perfect fodder for answers. Below are a few questions which would be answered well by mentioning your travels:

Tell me about a time when you showed initiative and took the lead

Tell me about a time in which you navigated through a situation you were not expecting but you were, in the end, successful

Tell me about a time when you stepped outside of your comfort zone and what were the results

For interview preparation and instruction, you can schedule an appointment with Center for Career Services to conduct a mock interview and get constructive criticism.

3. Cover Letter Addition

While writing a cover letter, it’s important to demonstrate how your specific skills and qualifications match up with those mentioned in the job announcement. When a position mentions qualities such as initiative, leadership, and adaptability, it can be a good idea to tie in your study abroad experience. An example of this may be describing how you conducted research in Nepal as part of a CIT program in order to analyze the detrimental effects of tourism. You can then tie this experience back to a position, such as a research assistant position or an outreach role, and demonstrate your qualities of initiative and curiosity.

For more help on how to write a successful cover letter, visit Career Services for cover letter critiques, which can be done in-person and online.

4. Language Acquisition

By studying a language via immersion, you are demonstrating a commitment to gaining and improving a valuable skill. If you don’t continue studying the language when you return (which you should continue if at all possible), make an effort to write down what you learned and how that influenced your experience of living in that country. Telling an interviewer, “While studying abroad in Nairobi, I studied and practiced Kiswahili in order to connect more with my host family,” is an effective way to demonstrate that you took the initiative to deepen your time abroad in a meaningful way (you don’t have to tell an employer if a program required that you take a language).

5. Job Search Keywords

Every job announcement is essentially a guide to writing an effective cover letter and resume for that position. Scan the announcement and search for adjectives such as the examples below in order to determine if mentioning your study abroad experience can improve your chances.

Initiative     Leadership     Adaptability     Flexibility     Intellectual Curiosity     Principled     Creative     Self-reliant     Independent     Communication     Problem-Solving     Critical Thinking

6. Writing Samples

If you’ve just returned from studying abroad, some of your most recent essays and papers will likely have been written abroad, and hopefully are the highest quality of work that you’ve produced during your time in college (as a result of being the most recent). Research assignments completed while abroad can be effective writing samples since they have a more educated or informed perspective on the topic. After returning to GW, go through your files and put together a folder of the best essays you wrote while abroad. This can help during your job and interview search when an employer requests a writing sample.

7. Federal Jobs

When federal departments, agencies, and programs require employees to travel abroad for work, it can be beneficial to share that you’ve traveled abroad, either academically or for “personal exploration,” when you’re applying for one of those positions. By sharing details of your time abroad and the program you attended, you can demonstrate that you can handle yourself abroad and that you know how to travel effectively and efficiently.

If you’re interested in working abroad on behalf of the United States, you should look into the Peace Corps, the State Department’s Foreign Service Officer position, as well as job announcements from the USAID.

8. Overseas Positions

If you’re interested in applying for an internship program abroad, such as the IES Internships program in Cape Town, travel experience can be beneficial in informing an employer that you can complete the work and projects assigned to you despite the new environment, because you’ve gone abroad before.

When applying for a job abroad, demonstrating to employers such as international organizations or global corporations that you’ve lived abroad before and can thrive in a dynamic, challenging environment can make you appear more attractive as a candidate.

9. Relocation for a Job

Businesses that advertise positions on campus are not always offering jobs within the metropolitan DC area. When Williams-Sonoma advertises positions at their San Francisco headquarters, feel free to mention to the recruiter that you would feel comfortable relocating due to previous experiences internationally. Businesses often have concerns about the success of entry-level employees that have to relocate due to exposure to a new city, climate, and other environmental factors. Demonstrating proficiency in these areas can help reassure employers that you are not only a good candidate but will succeed in the position itself.

10. Personal Happiness

If you’ve studied abroad, you shouldn’t feel upset or that you’ve wasted your time just because you didn’t spend the semester slogging as a congressional aide or working at a retail position. The incredible experiences and joy you got from your program and the friends you made are all invaluable, and shouldn’t be shadowed by concerns about your career goals and future job prospects.

If you’re still concerned about getting an internship or job, go to the Center for Career Services in the Marvin Center for help with all aspects of the job search and application process.

 

Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Help

 

By: Adrienne Coulter
B.S. in Chemistry
Minor in Biology
May 2017 (expected)

When I was a freshman here at GW, I was in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. I was so impressed with the program and the people I met through the school. However, after taking a few engineering introduction courses, I found myself more drawn to the profession of optometry.

In my second semester, I met with three advisers who could help me make the final decision to switch career paths: my engineering advisor, a pre-health advisor from the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, and a career coach here at GW. I wanted to hear everything I needed to in order to make the correct decision in transferring from one program into another, so I took advantage of these resources provided by GW.

After shadowing multiple people in the profession and speaking with all three of the GW advisers, I finally felt comfortable and confident in changing my entire academic and career plans to pursue optometry. Not only that, but I received invaluable advice and aid in preparing to apply to optometry school from these advisers. Before I knew it, the application cycle was here, and I felt prepared as an applicant thanks to the help from these advisers. Today, I have already been accepted into one optometry program, and I am still applying to one more.

The moral of the story is to never be afraid to seek help if you need an outsider’s perspective. It’s okay to be clueless and seek the aid of others when you need it. Whether it’s trained advisers, family, or even simply your friends, never hesitate to reach out and confide in others. We’re human, we don’t always know everything. Without the guidance of my family, friends, and these three advisers, I probably would not have been as strong of an applicant as I am now.

Building a Tradition: 2nd Annual GW Women in STEM Symposium

Eve Boyle
Ph.D. Candidate in Hominid Paleobiology
(Expected 2019)

Following in the footsteps of the First Annual GW Women in STEM Symposium, this year’s installment was an even greater success. While last year’s symposium was a skills-building event planned by GW graduate students (like myself), faculty, and staff, this year’s symposium was spearheaded and largely funded by the appropriately named undergraduate student group, GW Women in STEM. With additional funding and support provided by the GW Center for Career Services, the Office of Alumni Relations, and the W. Scott Amey Career Services Center, the second annual GW Women in STEM Symposium took place November 5, 2016, in the Science and Engineering Hall.

The key to this year’s success was rooted in the participation of a diverse, exceptional group of women who work in the DC area. The day began with keynote speaker Dr. Julie McEnery, the Fermi Project Scientist from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, who reflected on her unique career path and provided some tips for women to be successful in STEM careers. One point that particularly resonated with me was Dr. McEnery’s suggestion for women to be flexible, and to take chances on the variety of career opportunities that may come our way. This is crucial to building a repertoire of diverse experiences and skills.

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One point that particularly resonated with me was Dr. McEnery’s suggestion for women to be flexible, and to take chances on the variety of career opportunities that may come our way

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We then heard from career coach Kelsey Johnson, who discussed how we can best use our personality types—determined by Holland Codes— to our advantage in our chosen fields and careers. Whether you are realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising, or conventional (RIASEC), it is essential to know yourself and what you excel at, in order to find and secure a fulfilling profession. During lunch, attendees were able to network with industry representatives, GW faculty, and GW alumna, with whom they shared a RIASEC personality type.

The conversations and connections made during this lunch were useful for the students to help them figure out questions to ask during the next part of the event, the ‘Ask the Professionals’ Panel. The nine women on the panel spanned all career stages and represented many STEM fields including anthropology, chemistry, physics, engineering, mathematics, information technology, medicine, and the health sciences. After each panelist briefly described a typical day in their life, attendees asked questions such as “What do you do to feel powerful in the workplace?” and “Is it better to follow your passion or to have a more practical job?”.

Following insightful responses from the panel, we all broke into small groups to discuss lessons learned from the day. After each group reflected on what they learned, Dr. Meghan Coakley, the Project Manager for the National Institutes of Health 3D Print Exchange, facilitated a discussion to wrap up the symposium. Dr. Coakley’s takeaways reminded us of the major themes of the day: 1) career path is an evolution, 2) skills are translatable, 3) we should embrace stereotypes and then defy them, 4) whether being a woman affects your career can vary, 5) find a network of people that will support and inspire you, and lastly, 6) be confident!

Though the symposium was geared towards undergraduates, it was clear that all of the programming was applicable to any woman in the room, no matter what stage of her career she was at. I certainly learned things that I will carry with me throughout graduate school, and through whatever lies for me beyond. Looking forward, I know that the third annual GW Women in STEM Symposium will not be an event to be missed!

Photo info: The author (right) with her mentor Dr. Kirsten Brown, one of the symposium’s panelists, and an assistant professor and director of gross anatomy in the School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

My Journey to Teach For America

 

By: Victoria Rowe
B.A. Human Services and Social Justice
May 2017 (Expected)

I always knew that I wanted to dedicate my career to something bigger than myself. As a Human Services major, I saw injustices taking place in the D.C. community, and swore that I would somehow be a part of empowering marginalized individuals. However, as my junior year began and graduation loomed, I worried that I would have to sacrifice inspiration for income – at least for a while. I wondered if I could find (and more importantly, get hired for) a job that shared my desire to change the systemic issues I saw every day. I wondered if I would have to settle for doing well and put doing good on the backburner.

On a whim, I registered for the GW Fall Career & Internship Fair a month after I began my junior year. I walked into the Smith Center and was immediately overwhelmed by booth after booth of recruiters swarmed by my peers. I clutched my resumes and weaved through sign-up sheets, flyers, and briefcases, hoping to find someone in this giant room with whom I would resonate. I spotted a booth with a name I had heard of but didn’t know much about – Teach for America (TFA). Having just finished a summer teaching fellowship, I figured it was worth it to at least sign up for their listserv. I met the GW recruitment director, Deanna, set up an informational meeting, and moved on to the next booth, not realizing how much this simple interaction would change my career trajectory.

One week later, I met Deanna in the Marvin Center lobby, prepared to rattle off a laundry list of my “Hillternships” to impress her. She opened our conversation from a vastly different perspective, describing her experience teaching in inner-city Philadelphia. She told me about how witnessing educational inequality first-hand angered, shocked, and motivated her to change the system as a whole. She then asked me about the experiences I had that brought me to TFA. We spent the majority of the meeting talking about social justice and equity and about how teaching in and learning from an under-resourced community could contribute on both a micro and macro level to the change I wanted to see in the world. This first meeting was when I initially saw how movement-driven Teach For America truly is, and I knew I wanted to be a part of it.

I applied to Teach for America that January, after several more conversations with Deanna and GW alumni who were currently teaching with TFA. I felt incredibly supported every stage of the application process; TFA provided resources and information that allowed me to enter each round feeling prepared and confident. I remember opening my application portal and breaking into tears when I saw that I had been accepted, and better yet, had been placed in my new home, Washington, D.C. Even though I had more than a year left until my summer training would begin, I could not wait to get started.

Today, I have a lot in common with most of my peers. I am a senior struggling through a thesis, working a part-time job, and preparing to launch into a long-term career of social impact. However, TFA gave me the opportunity to craft each of these typical experiences to a field that I love and work that I’m passionate about. I’m writing my thesis on culturally-relevant education in DCPS to better understand which techniques I can bring to my classroom next year, I work with the TFA recruitment team as a Campus Ambassador to encourage my incredible peers to join this movement, and I’m applying for teaching positions in a community I love with the help and support of an organization that truly believes that all kids deserve access to a high-quality education.

I remember how scared, lost, and unsure I felt walking into that career fair over a year ago. I couldn’t have guessed then that I would have the foundation of a career now – much less one in which I believe so deeply. As you begin or continue your job search, I encourage you to seek a career that not only sets you up to do well but also gives you an opportunity to do good. I encourage you to find an organization that not only employs you but also inspires you. Before even entering a classroom, Teach For America has changed my perspective, my goals, and my life; I encourage you to let it change yours too.