What's Holding You Back?

Opportunities are passed up every day. The decisions you make, and the time frame in which you make them in the professional world, make all the difference between "hired" and "not hired." Whatever it is that is holding you back, shake yourself free of it and move forward. Be proactive. The Community Fellows Program may be one of those enriching opportunities that you are dismissing for various reasons, many of which can be readily addressed and remedied. If it is within your control to change this situation before it passes you by, then let's get to the bottom of what's holding you back.

Speed bump #1: Procrastination

This epidemic has been around since the dawn of time. If the deadline for the CFP application clearly states Saturday, March 1, 2014 at 11:59 p.m. why wait until March 1, 2014 at 11:58 p.m. to apply? If you can dedicate an afternoon or an evening to finalizing your essay and submitting your application well before the due date, then go for it! Don't let procrastination hold you back.

Speed bump #2: Your Resume

If you're saying to yourself "I have no idea when or how I'm going to prepare my resume," then you came to the right place. Many times we let the notion of preparing and updating our resumes intimidate us which in turn undermines us from seeking out a career counselor who can help draw out our credentials and relevant experiences on paper. Stop by the Center for Career Development today to schedule an appointment or send your resume via email to careercounselor@adelphi.edu to craft thebest professional representation of yourself.

Speed bump #3: I'm not enrolled in the Internship Preparation Seminar

Several students have misread this recommended course as an automatic disqualification if they are not enrolled in it, yet have considered applying to the CFP. Don't let this discourage or even prevent you from applying! At the end of the day, you need to make the claim through your punctual and polished resume, essay, and overall application that you are more than qualified to become a CFP intern.

So what's holding you back? Take advantage of this opportunitynow. You will be glad you did.

The Fantastic Four Testimonials, Part 1

What better way to gain insight about real-life CFP experiences than asking the interns themselves? Here are four brilliant young women who were willing to share their Community Fellows Program testimonials.

Stephanie Lerner, who is working towards a B.A. in Mathematics, was among the first I interviewed. Stephanie was honored as the Community Fellow of the Year 2013. She is now a Junior Board member for the Women's Fund of Long Island. This non-profit organization that she had interned for is designed to empower women leadership in their communities by providing grants.

When I asked Stephanie, "How would you advise those who are considering applying for this internship program?" Her response was,

"Sell yourself. There is no interview, just this essay and the resume. Talk about the role you would play in the non-profit you created. A non-profit is such a big idea, so there are many pieces needed to make it successful. Each worker's role can contribute. Try to really emphasize this in your essay."

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Olivia Autry, who will be graduating next spring with a B.B.A. in Accounting, shared a valuable lesson she learned during her CFP internship,

"Teaching is almost the complete opposite of accounting, which is what I did during my internship at Cedarmore Corporation. Yet it provided me with a different learning experience than what I would have gained had I choose a non-profit organization associated with accounting.

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Olivia continues to volunteer with Cedarmore Corporation, a non-profit that creates programs to help at risk youths. She says, "I still volunteer there because of the personal connections I made with the teens that I worked with and taught."

The Fantastic Four Testimonials, Part 2

I hope these words of wisdom will inspire you to not just apply yourself to the program, but think of ways you can start making an impact!

Anustha Shersta offered a different perspective of the CFP experience. She states, "As an international student, I initially had my own fears and reservations about working in a completely new community with a different culture. However, I wanted to make an impact and give back to the community that had given me a whole new world of opportunities. At the internship, I realized that it didn't matter where I am from, but the only thing that mattered was how I helped. I have learned what it requires to serve a community-- determination."

Anustha had the privilege of being accepted twice into the Community Fellows Program. Her first internship with Sustainable Long Island allowed her to conduct community workshops focusing on sustainable living while her second internship at Five Towns Community Chest provided her with the experience of being in public relations. She will be receiving a B.A. in Economics next May.

Valeria Mendoza will be earning her B.A. in International Studies/ Latin American Studies degree in 2015. She also had the opportunity to intern at two different non-profit organizations including Global Kids and The Fair Media Council. She described how her placement in both of these organizations enabled her to rediscover her aptitude in the fields she is currently pursuing:

“My first placement at The Fair Media Council gave me the opportunity to revisit my creative skills and sparked my interest in a concentration in Marketing paired with my International/ Latin American Studies degree. My second placement inGlobal Kids gave me the reassurance that I could make a living working for an organization that embodied my passion for social justice and that I was a professional ready for the fast paced New York City labor market.”

Valeria believes that “working for an organization that you are personally invested in” is what will make you committed to the fulfilling the organization’s mission. 

Did You Apply Yet?

Freeze right where you are! Ask yourself this simple question: "Did I apply to the Community Fellows Program yet?" You may feel prepared and confident about your application. However, make sure that you are not overlooking any details. Regardless of the fact that the Community Fellows Program is an internship through Adelphi University, you are still putting yourself out there for employers to critique. Therefore, you want to put your absolute best effort forward! Allow me to give you a little checklist of some things you should bear in mind:

• First, is your resume ready? Remember, your resume is a representation of who you are, what you have been doing, and what kind of experience you have in one or various fields. Is your resume updated, relevant to the position you are currently applying for and free of any spelling or grammatical errors? Consider having it proofread by a counselor at the Center for Career Development. In fact, go the extra mile and have your resume printed with laser jet ink on professional-looking paper. The way you present your resume  can be the deciding factor between being hired and not hired.
• Second on the checklist: is your application essay done? Avoid waiting until the last minute. Perhaps you should schedule an appointment with the Writing Center to ensure your essay is polished and that your voice clearly communicates the purpose for which you are writing it. Let this one page essay be enough to convince a potential employer that you can cast vision and organize your thoughts well on paper.
• Finally, be sure that you ask your professors for a letter of recommendation. They have deadlines to meet and classes to attend as well, therefore, the more advance notice you give them, the better. Additionally, be sure to ask a professor that has seen you grow academically and perform well in their class so that their letter reflects well on your overall application. 

Applying for the Community Fellows Program is something we are all very capable of,  but if you really want to stand out, then show it by preparing for all of these steps well ahead of time. So I ask again, did you apply yet?

What is the Community Fellows Program?

If you are asking the above question, be prepared to discover the various opportunities Adelphi's Community Fellows Program has to offer students like you and me. Before you leave this blog, let me give you a quick overview of what the Community Fellows Program is all about and how it can help prepare you to excel in your future career field!

Imagine you have applied and have been accepted into this program. It has now become your ticket into the world of a non-profit organization and its mission to improve and benefit the lives of others. You will be working alongside professionals in a workplace setting that fosters career exploration in a field of your choice. You will also be working on collaborative projects that will offer you an inside, hands-on perspective of how a non-profit organization functions, as well as how you can be an asset in advancing its mission. All in all, the Community Fellows Program is designed for you to grow as a well-rounded leader in your field. Once you have completed this program, you will be glad to know you have made a name for yourself as well as positive impact on the lives around you. 

Want to learn more about the Community Fellow Program? Click here.

The Silver Lining

When I look at the word count of my seven page paper knowing that there still needs to be a case study completed, an Astronomy test to study for, as well as a Contemporary Novel essay to write, it is hard for me to focus on the bright side. I don't just mean in the short-term since winter break is right around the corner and we are only a few days away from being at home and at peace for the holiday season. What I am saying is that when our dreams of a successful future are not in line with the reality of what we have to do to get there, where do we find that silver lining of hope to keep on persevering even when we are discouraged? 

For many of us, we seek to enter a field that may be popular; but a popular career often translates into a saturated job market. As a person studying Childhood Education, I know that there are many teachers out there still searching for positions. That is a hard reality to cope with, especially since we desire to hit the ground running and get our dream job as soon as we have that university diploma in hand. Or maybe you have fears that your major is so uncommon that it seems you can only find a job "in theory." 

Wherever you are at right now, don't lose heart. There are many success stories of hardworking young men and women striving towards finding their right fit and making it. Your dream doesn't have to stay a dream. However, be willing to make some compromises and put in the extra work. Take up a minor, go for more certifications, attend summer classes, sign-up for an internship (like the Adelphi Community Fellows Program) or take advantage of research opportunities. The possibilities for you to get ahead are endless. When the time comes to conduct a job search, know that all the studying and effort you put in will be rewarded- it just takes time, patience, action, and a positive outlook.

Season of Thanks, Season of Giving

As our November days draw closer to Thanksgiving, we are reminded again and again, to be thankful for all that we have in our lives. However, even during this season- we often lose sight of how to show thanksgiving everyday- not just when the turkey and stuffing come out. I don't know about you but I tend to complain when I feel stressed or dissatisfied with whatever is going on in my life, and that can be anything for anyone of us! Some of you might be experiencing genuine despair, making it hard to express any sort of thankfulness. Maybe you have been Undeclared for the past two semesters and you find yourself frustrated that nothing seems like the "right fit." Or perhaps, you are unemployed and are struggling to make ends meet between tuition and everyday life expenses. Wherever you are at, just take a step back for a moment to listen and meditate on these thoughts.

Being without a job or being Undecided in a major may give you little reason to be thankful, but consider all that you are learning in the process of discovering a way to direct your passion. Think of your support team of people who encouraged you to never to give up. Reflect on those moments when you finally thought to yourself "Hey, I have gift; I just need to know how to use it."

Had I not taken a step back to really look at the big picture, I would not see the many ways in which I am blessed. I am surrounded by my loving family, my dearest friends and my church community. I have been blessed with an education that, despite all the difficulties and strain it may cause now, will payoff in the long-run. I am thankful for the journey Adelphi has offered me as a student and an employee. I am thankful because during this process, I am learning about myself and how I can use the gifts I have been given to bless others.

Giving is the verb that manifests thanks. Discover and then use the gifts you have to show others your appreciation since the power of giving resides in the intent of the giver. So my question to you is not merely "what are you thankful for?", but rather, "how can you show thanksgiving?" Not just during the holiday season, but each and every day. You'll be surprised to see how your outlook on life will change from grumpy to grateful.