You may be asking yourself this question as you prepare to graduate. Most freshmen, sophomores, and juniors once in a while will wonder what to do after graduation. The most obvious option is to get a job (or go to college, if you are graduating high-school) however, especially in this economy, I’m happy to inform you that there are other options.
Fellowships, apprenticeships, and leadership programs are an excellent opportunity for developing skills that will lead to your career advancement. Southwestern Pennsylvania is filled with options for those searching alternative opportunities after graduation as Pittsburgh is home for two amazing programs: the Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs and Public Allies Pittsburgh, a program of Americorps.
Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs
The Coro Fellows Program is a full-time, nine month, graduate-level experiential leadership training program that prepares participants for effective and ethical leadership in public affairs.
Through placements in government agencies, nonprofits, and for profit entities, Coro Fellows learn how to translate their ideas into action. The goal of the program is to develop leaders that will later be motivated to improve their own communities and “who can skillfully bridge the competing concerns of an increasingly diverse constituency in a world of constant change,” as stated on the program web-page.
This program entails field placements, group interviews, seminars, focus weeks, individual and group projects. The Fellows Program is offered in Los Angeles, New York, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and St. Louis.
If you think you may be a good fit for the Fellows Program, you are encouraged to apply. Applications for the 2012-2013 Fellows Program are due January 20, 2012. For more information about the program and to apply, click here.
Public Allies Pittsburgh
This AmeriCorps program has been in Pittsburgh since 2006, developing young leaders in partnership with Coro Center for Civic Leadership. This full-time paid apprenticeship, is 10 months long and requires that participants (or Allies, as they are called by staff) create, improve and expand services of the nonprofits where they are placed to address issues in youth development, education, public health, economic development, the arts, the environment, and beyond.
As program participants support community projects in partnership with local nonprofit organizations, they also participate in intensive skills training, active community-building projects, personalized coaching, and critical reflection. Public Allies recruits talented young adults from diverse and under-represented backgrounds who have a passion to make a difference.To learn more about Public Allies Pittsburgh and apply, click here.
So, don’t just wonder what to do after graduation. Look into these opportunities and expand your options!
