So you've graduated from the University of Chicago, now what?
As you've probably been able to figure out from subtle references in my summer posts, I have been looking for a job since graduation. Before graduation I applied to several internships, which I obviously did not get (except for one unpaid one and I was sooo certain I could find a paying job by now).
Dream job: Working in a research/writing capacity for a nonprofit focused on the environment.
Reality: Applying to nonprofits doing a variety of work and for a variety of positions.
How am I going about the job hunt?
I job search and apply. I look primarily on idealist.org, NPO.net, and LinkedIn. I also get an email from the associate director of MAPH, who has been sharing jobs she finds and thinks we would be interested in. The number of jobs I apply to really varies. Some weeks it's one job. Others, it's two a day for a week straight. I have gotten much quicker at producing a tailored resume and cover letter and can usually complete both within two hours. It helps that the positions I apply for are similar, but it takes time incorporating the language they use in their job description to make my qualifications evident. The research I do on the organization is minimal, a glance at their website to glean something from their mission statement to include in my cover letter and a quick check that the organization sounds interesting. If I am granted an interview then I do intensive research.
I network. I created my LinkedIn profile a few months ago and use it, in combination with the UChicago alumni directory, to send invitations to people who are working at organizations and have positions that I find interesting. I have sent out maybe 15 invitations and met with 4 people and had email exchanges with 2 others. Not a great success rate, but considering I am a random person, you never know how often they check their account, etc. I think I'm doing ok. I am overwhelmingly grateful to the folks that say yes; they have been wonderful about answering my questions and showing a genuine interest in helping me succeed. Through these "coffee chats" I have learned about working at the NRDC (Natural Resource Defense Council), The Field Museum, The HistoryMakers, and ChicagoCares. I have also been invited to, and joined, a book club, through which I made further connections to job opportunities. I am not asking these folks for jobs, per se, more focused on the informational aspect, feeling out if these places would be a good fit, what should I put on a cover letter, etc.
I attend networking events. I ran into a MAPHer I had a class with and we have started attending events together. We went to one she found on MeetUp, an alumni event, a CEO presentation event, and will attend one hosted by a local think tank. So far I haven't found them to be overly helpful, but have high hopes for the latter one. The problem is finding people doing the work I find interesting (if I wanted to be a salesperson for New York Life insurance, I would have a job already).
I volunteer. I have been volunteering 1-2 times a week with various organizations. Sometimes its helping CARA (Chicago Area Runner's Association) and the Chicago Park District (CPD) put on fun runs in Washington Park. Other times it's eradicating invasive plant species and seed collecting native species with The Nature Conservancy (also in partnership with CPD). I also did a beach clean up, hosted by the Shedd Aquarium and the Alliance for the Great Lakes. I have met interesting folks who have often given useful career advice when they can. It's also just a great way to break up those weeks where I am sitting at the computer the whole time. I want to share about these specific volunteering opportunities through more detailed blog posts, as a way to demonstrate my writing around nature and conservation.
The results?
Depression. For a week in the middle of July. It's horrible putting so much out there and hearing nothing back. Self-doubt, anxiety, regret, and all sorts of fun emotions came bubbling up. I let myself wallow for the better part of a week and then I bounced back and have been optimistic ever since. I had no idea (or maybe didn't want to believe) how long this process could take (some estimate a good 6 months). If I had known, there are plenty of things I could have done to make this a little less stressful (like tutor some summer programs to earn money), but there's no sense dwelling on that now.
Interviews. I had a phone interview with The HistoryMakers in July, but was unable to accept the position for a number of reasons I won't get into detail here.
I have been through two rounds of phone/video interviews with the National Center for Teacher Residencies for the position of Project Manager (one more, in person round to hear back about).
I had an in person interview at Girls on the Run for the position of volunteer coordinator (one more in person interview to hear back about).
I have a phone interview with 2nd Story for the position of Manager of Artistic Partnerships scheduled Sept. 4. (this is a part-time position, so I would have to tutor more than I would with a full time job, but I am happy to do that).
I think any of the three potential jobs above would provide interesting and meaningful work. They are quite varied, so they are certain to take me down different paths. I am obviously very hopeful one of them works out soon.
I look forward to my next post being titled: Let me tell you all about my new job!
Dream job: Working in a research/writing capacity for a nonprofit focused on the environment.
Reality: Applying to nonprofits doing a variety of work and for a variety of positions.
How am I going about the job hunt?
I job search and apply. I look primarily on idealist.org, NPO.net, and LinkedIn. I also get an email from the associate director of MAPH, who has been sharing jobs she finds and thinks we would be interested in. The number of jobs I apply to really varies. Some weeks it's one job. Others, it's two a day for a week straight. I have gotten much quicker at producing a tailored resume and cover letter and can usually complete both within two hours. It helps that the positions I apply for are similar, but it takes time incorporating the language they use in their job description to make my qualifications evident. The research I do on the organization is minimal, a glance at their website to glean something from their mission statement to include in my cover letter and a quick check that the organization sounds interesting. If I am granted an interview then I do intensive research.
I network. I created my LinkedIn profile a few months ago and use it, in combination with the UChicago alumni directory, to send invitations to people who are working at organizations and have positions that I find interesting. I have sent out maybe 15 invitations and met with 4 people and had email exchanges with 2 others. Not a great success rate, but considering I am a random person, you never know how often they check their account, etc. I think I'm doing ok. I am overwhelmingly grateful to the folks that say yes; they have been wonderful about answering my questions and showing a genuine interest in helping me succeed. Through these "coffee chats" I have learned about working at the NRDC (Natural Resource Defense Council), The Field Museum, The HistoryMakers, and ChicagoCares. I have also been invited to, and joined, a book club, through which I made further connections to job opportunities. I am not asking these folks for jobs, per se, more focused on the informational aspect, feeling out if these places would be a good fit, what should I put on a cover letter, etc.
I attend networking events. I ran into a MAPHer I had a class with and we have started attending events together. We went to one she found on MeetUp, an alumni event, a CEO presentation event, and will attend one hosted by a local think tank. So far I haven't found them to be overly helpful, but have high hopes for the latter one. The problem is finding people doing the work I find interesting (if I wanted to be a salesperson for New York Life insurance, I would have a job already).
I volunteer. I have been volunteering 1-2 times a week with various organizations. Sometimes its helping CARA (Chicago Area Runner's Association) and the Chicago Park District (CPD) put on fun runs in Washington Park. Other times it's eradicating invasive plant species and seed collecting native species with The Nature Conservancy (also in partnership with CPD). I also did a beach clean up, hosted by the Shedd Aquarium and the Alliance for the Great Lakes. I have met interesting folks who have often given useful career advice when they can. It's also just a great way to break up those weeks where I am sitting at the computer the whole time. I want to share about these specific volunteering opportunities through more detailed blog posts, as a way to demonstrate my writing around nature and conservation.
The results?
Depression. For a week in the middle of July. It's horrible putting so much out there and hearing nothing back. Self-doubt, anxiety, regret, and all sorts of fun emotions came bubbling up. I let myself wallow for the better part of a week and then I bounced back and have been optimistic ever since. I had no idea (or maybe didn't want to believe) how long this process could take (some estimate a good 6 months). If I had known, there are plenty of things I could have done to make this a little less stressful (like tutor some summer programs to earn money), but there's no sense dwelling on that now.
Interviews. I had a phone interview with The HistoryMakers in July, but was unable to accept the position for a number of reasons I won't get into detail here.
I have been through two rounds of phone/video interviews with the National Center for Teacher Residencies for the position of Project Manager (one more, in person round to hear back about).
I had an in person interview at Girls on the Run for the position of volunteer coordinator (one more in person interview to hear back about).
I have a phone interview with 2nd Story for the position of Manager of Artistic Partnerships scheduled Sept. 4. (this is a part-time position, so I would have to tutor more than I would with a full time job, but I am happy to do that).
I think any of the three potential jobs above would provide interesting and meaningful work. They are quite varied, so they are certain to take me down different paths. I am obviously very hopeful one of them works out soon.
I look forward to my next post being titled: Let me tell you all about my new job!
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