Jacqueline Novogratz, Chief Executive of the Acumen Fund, which invests in businesses aiding the world’s poor, says, “We think about our values in pairs, and there is a tension or a balance between them.” Novogratz talks about what answers to questions on a job interview become a ‘dead-end’ and how authenticity and fit are key to an effective job interview. More than anything, it’s important for students who are job seeking to understand themselves and be able to articulate their “story.”  How can you pull your resume together–even if it seems there are many unrelated experiences–to connect your skills and competencies by telling the story of ‘self’ which can effectively intersect with your interests and values.  Read more in the NYT’s Corner Office article: When Humility and Audacity go Hand in Hand

When it comes to careers, young people are often advised to find their true calling. But for many, the sense of fulfillment grows only over time, as they become better at their jobs. What about you? Do you know what your passion is for now or are you willing to allow yourself the time to develop it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/30/jobs/follow-a-career-passion-let-it-follow-you.html?smid=pl-share

Katharine Wolf ’02
Friday, Sept 21 | 12:30pm
Axinn 219

You may ask: Should I start my social enterprise now while I am in school? Or should I build up my skills in the corporate world or some linear industry, so I can be more effective towards my goals down the line? We will explore some of these questions, as I share my own story of how I got into this field, as just one example of social entrepreneurship. I will share the practical considerations involved with starting a social enterprise, and give you a flavor of a day in the life of a social entrepreneur.  From organ transplant flights to microfinance in Vietnam, lets get practical about what it means to be a social entrepreneur. This will be some practical tips for navigating the social enterprise landscape.

Join the facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/events/381953948541549

While you may have already locked down your summer plans, updating your resume is something that should happen often. You want to be sure you keep track of your latest leadership positions, academic honors, and volunteer experiences all in one place, so that when it comes time to apply for your next job, internship or fellowship you are organized and ready to submit.

I thought I’d share this fun take on crafting a resume. While here at Career Services we outline a specific format and guidelines to creating a professional resume, Fast Company is suggesting some creative and out-of-the-box alternatives. Kevin Purdy offers some tips for drafting a resume in the age of inattention, when employers giver your resume about six seconds to look over.

Scroll through these quirky and helpful tips to get an idea of what you should work on to make your resume stand out!

http://www.fastcompany.com/pics/10-ways-craft-your-resume-age-inattention#0

Come join Dennis D. Parker ’77, P’13 for a unique Career Conversation today, Monday, March 19 at 5:00 PM in Carr Hall lounge to discuss public interest law, ACLU, racial justice work and applying to law school.

Mr. Parker is the Director of the ACLU National Office’s Racial Justice Program (RJP). Concentrating on issues of  the school-to-prison pipeline which funnels children of color from the educational system into the criminal justice system, racial profiling, affirmative action, indigent representation and felon enfranchisement and predatory lending, the RJP seeks to remove barriers to equal opportunity for communities of color through litigation, public education, community organizing and legislation.

Prior to joining the ACLU, he was the Chief of the Civil Rights Bureau of the Office of  the New York State Attorney. Mr. Parker also worked for fourteen years at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund litigating and supervising the litigation of scores of cases involving elementary and secondary education, affirmative action in higher education and equal educational opportunity. Other positions included work at the employment firm of Vladeck, Waldman, Elias and Engelhardt and the New York Legal Aid Society, Criminal Defense Division in Brooklyn, New York. He has published a book and numerous chapters and articles on a range of civil rights issues including housing discrimination, educational equity, affirmative action and testing.

Mr. Parker lectures extensively on civil rights issues and is an adjunct professor at New York Law School. He is a graduate of Middlebury College and Harvard Law School.

The Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN) is the place to be if you’re a college woman interested in a career in public policy. PLEN is unique: Nowhere else can students learn how Washington, D.C. really works from a faculty comprised exclusively of women leaders who make and influence public policy every day. These women are members of Congress, major judicial figures, presidential advisors, senior government leaders, nonprofit advocates and corporate lobbyists.

Through PLEN, you’ll secure a summer internship directed at your specific interests during the weeks of May 21-July 27, 2012. PLEN helps you focus on what organizations will give you the best experience, help you develop a resume and land the spot you want, and coach you through the application process.

Once in Washington, you’ll meet at least weekly with PLEN and other PLEN interns to process your experience, expand your contacts by meeting with women leaders, and exchange information and impressions with other interns.

You’ll also participate in PLEN skill-building sessions to begin developing important career-related expertise in areas like networking, job interviewing, and salary negotiations.

Application

Deadline December 31, 2011 (postmarked by this date)
Students interested in interning at a government agency should notify PLEN no later than October 14, 2011

View the 2011 Summer Schedule of speakers and events.

For those of you thinking about graduation and where you want to work, here’s an interesting index just released by Climate Counts 2011 of the top firms and how sustainable they are. The most climate-responsible companies are revealed with scores up 54% in 4 years. Check them out and think about the criteria as you research companies that you want to work for.

Join us for a Career Conversation with Amanda Maxwell ’02, Latin American Advocate, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)

WHEN:  4:30 PM on Thursday, December 1, 2011

WHERE:  Adirondack House Library (EIA)

(this talk will precede the screening & discussion for Patagonia Rising w/Amanda Maxwell)

 NRDC works to protect wildlife and wild places and to ensure a healthy environment for all life on earth. This includes issues ranging from Global Warming, Energy, Air, Transportation, Smart Growth, US Law & Policy and International issues.

Amanda W. Maxwell joined the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in July 2009, in the Washington, D.C. office. As the Director of Latin America Projects, Ms. Maxwell manages all of NRDC’s campaigns in Mexico, Central America and South America, where the organization works on environmental conservation, energy development, sustainable tourism, fresh water supply, deforestation and other issues.  Ms. Maxwell also leads projects promoting the development of sustainable energy and energy efficiency in the region as a whole. Read the rest of this entry »

Come join faculty, staff and students for a workshop on Charting a Course to Successfully Implement Out-of-Classroom Projects

WHEN:  Monday, November 14 @ 7:00-8:00 p.m.

WHERE: Axinn 103

Students: Are you considering, currently designing, or about to embark on an experience abroad—be it through service, research, internship, study abroad, or other means? If yes, you are encouraged to attend a one-hour workshop designed to help make the most of your experience—both for yourself and the community and/or organization(s) with which you will be working, connect to available resources and funding opportunities, and learn about corresponding College policies and protocol.

Please note:

• Some funding sources will require attendance at this workshop.
• If your travel is during Winter Term, or if your travel is during Spring Term but you will not be on-campus during Winter Term, or if you are currently designing a proposal, be sure to attend this Nov. 14^th workshop.
• The workshop will be repeated in January and March, as well.

Sponsored by the Rohatyn Center for International Affairs (RCFIA), the Institutional Review Board (IRB), and the Center for Education in Action (EIA).

Now that we’re both back on campus, let’s get started in thinking about how you can translate your interests and passions  into a career with an impact! There are lots of opportunities while here at Middlebury to explore social change both inside and outside the classroom.  For instance, the newly formed Center for Education in Action (EIA) is a great place to start: you’ll find opportunities for civic engagement like volunteering in the community; attending or leading an alternative break trip (MALT); a vast number of competitive post-graduate fellowship resources and some undergraduate fellowships too; resources to obtain funding for an unpaid summer internship; internships offered by alumni, parents and employers looking for Middkids; advice on how to jump-start your job search and lots of employer information sessions throughout the year — just to name a few!

There are also lots of other initiatives on campus to explore and to connect your academic and outside the class experiences.  Check out MOJO to find a J-term internship off campus for credit and don’t forget to visit the Project on Creativity and Innovation to unharness your creative ideas and juices!

There is lots to share with you, so feel free to come into EIA and set up an appointment to talk to me about your passions, ideas and plans…we’re all ears here!  For now, I hope to get out interesting information that is relevant to CCG and finding opportunities that will help you to make a positive impact in the world.

Since we know some of you will refer back to this blog after graduation, we will start tagging articles that promote opportunities so that they fit into several categories: undergraduate opp(ortunities) or alumni opp(ortunities). Feel free to comment as well; we love the feedback!