What's in it for the community?

What makes the focus of your particular internship so distinctively unique from others is that emphasis is being placed on the community. Fellow interns, I ask you to look at your community, reflect, and then share on how you are serving your community through this program. Below I have listed a few questions regarding my internship at Girls Inc. of Long Island. Use this as your guide to outlining how you can put your service to the community into action during Community Fellows Program internship.
How does your work impact your community?

Collaborating efforts with the Girls Inc. LI Program Coordinator, we are meeting the specific needs and circumstances of girls between the ages 5 and 18. We are primarily serving girls in low socioeconomic communities in Suffolk County.
What experiences, knowledge or expertise can you offer to benefit the community you are serving?

Being that I am currently studying to become a teacher in Childhood Education, I found that developing program curriculum, such as Community Development for girls at Wyandanch, was akin to lesson planning for a classroom. I was able to use the transferable skill of brainstorming lesson plan topics for lessons to help contribute useful and engaging ideas for program development themes such as STEAM (an activity that incorporates Science Technology Engineering Art and/or Math). My hope is that these programs will equip girls with the knowledge and inspiration to make a change, starting in their own backyards.
Ask yourself during this internship not "What's in it for me?" but rather "What's in it for the community?" Once you maintain this mindset, you're in great shape to make a change for good this summer.

Reminders:
Don't forget to tag @HIREaPANTHER and use #communityfellows for Instagram and Twitter posts and comments.
You can also nominate yourself and send it via the CFP email for a chance to win Community Fellow of the Week!


Questions, comments, concerns? Email a CFP liaison at communityfellows@adelphi.edu

Into the Swing of Things!

Well folks, it's time...time to get into the swing of things! Whether you are just starting your internship or are well into your first, second, maybe even third week, please keep sharing your Community Fellows journey on Adelphi Center for Career Develpment's social media outlets: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Don't forget to use the @HIREaPANTHER for Instagram and Twitter comments, using the #communityfellows.
Here are some talking points that you may want to explore while posting, tweeting, or simply writing up your weekly CFP reflection:

1. How can I give other interns and the professional world a glimpse at what I am currently doing at my nonprofit through a simple photo or a tweet?

2.What are some of my hopes and goals that I would like to see fulfilled during or after my intership?

3.Are there any current events that coincide with an issue my NPO is trying to address? What positive feedback can I provide on this to make others aware?

4. What words of inspiration can I impart on others in moving towards a change that promotes my NPO's cause?

Simply put, let your posts, photos, and tweets do the talking about how your Community Fellows journey is thus far. If things are or aren't going as you have planned, be sure to contact a CFP liason at the Career Center at communityfellows@adelphi.edu. Let them know where you are and where you want to be; they have valuable support and advice to offer. Whatever life brings, get into the swing of things!


Reminder: You can also nominate yourself and send it via the CFP email for a chance to win Community Fellow of the Week!

First Impressions!

First impressions often speak volumes to a person's character as well as what type of worker they are. For us CFP interns, it can be nerve-wracking to even think of giving off a bad impression to our employers. Thus, we remain steadfast in showing them our best work ethic and professional behavior. Yet on the other hand, we are also forming our own first impressions of our nonprofit organizations. It is these initial impressions that I encourage you all to share amongst each other using the Center for Career Development's various social media sites. Haven't started yet? No sweat! You can get connected today!

Facebook

Be sure to like the Adelphi Center for Career Development's Facebook page and feel free to post any positive comments you have regarding your internship journey. Keep your posts relevant to your CFP experience so that others are encouraged to share their internship experiences as well!

Twitter

I personally created my own twitter account so that I could be further connected with my NPO, Girls Inc. of Long Island. Compose tweets using the #communityfellows and follow tweets@HIREaPANTHER to stay in the loop with whatever is trending that is pertinent to your CFP internship. (**Tip: this is also a great way to network for and promote your NPO to various groups and individuals)!

Instagram 
Make use of this social media portal by posting your "on-the-job" photos, using the@HIREaPANTHER handle. Again, keep these picture appropriate and professional, but you can certainly have fun with posting them!  

LinkedIn

Last, but certainly not least, update your LinkedIN profile. Keeping your profile abreast with new job descriptions and current place of employment demonstrates that you are maintaing an active presence in the professional social media sphere.

Never underestimate the importance of first impressions and how we can leverage social media's accessibility to our advantage. Let us fully live up to our title as Community FellowInterns, by supporting each other and sharing our experiences with the world. Go get 'em!


Reminder: You can also nominate yourself and send it via the CFP email for a chance to win Community Fellow of the Week!

Get Pumped!

For all you eager 2014 Community Fellows interns out there, I just have one question for you: are you ready to get pumped?!

Some of you may have already started your internship while others are still anticipating all that is about to unfold. Either way, here are some tips for you to maintain this eager attitude as well as how to share your experiences with other interns so to embolden each other on this CFP journey!

Tip # 1: Keep your long-term goals at the forefront of your mind. Doing this will serve as a reminder of what you came to accomplish during your internship as well as to remain steadfast in the role your non-profit organization wants you to play.

Tip #2: Have an open-mind and be flexible. You'll find that more opportunities to contribute at your NPO arise out of your willingness to try new things. Also, being available to your NPO as much as possible exhibits dedication and passion.

Tip #3: Stay connected! Let's face it, we are all going to reach a dry patch in our internship at some point or another. To prevent ourselves from remaining apathetic, see what your fellow CFP interns are posting by following the Career Center's Facebook, Instagram and Twitter page (@HIREaPANTHER), which I strongly encourage you to join if you haven't yet.

**Remember to share your experiences on Instagram and/or Twitter using the #communityfellows. You can also nominate yourself and send it via the CFP email for a chance to win Community Fellows of the Week!

If you're pumped up about this summer, please don't hesitate to continually share your journey on social media! I'll be sharing my own personal CFP experience at Girls Inc. of Long Island on this blog. Get pumped UP because it's going to be one amazing summer!

I Got My Placement...Now What?

You are a Community Fellows intern and you have received your non-profit organization placement. You have arrived at the precipice of your next collegiate experience...now what? Well, I'm here to reassure you that you can prepare yourself in advance so that you are fresh and ready to start on your first day. Use this acronym as your guide:

Contact them. You and your non-profit representative or supervisor will need to keep in contact prior to your internship. Make it a point to meet them in-person or to call them ahead of time so that they can get to know you. If your NPO has not contacted you by the end of this week, ask a CFP Career Counselor about the person you are to be corresponding with ASAP!

Find out. Do your research and find out more about your NPO by visiting their website. What were some programs or events they recently hosted? What were their outcomes? Are there any activities or developments your NPO is working on that you wish to inquire about? Doing this may result in receiving an opportunity to collaborate with your NPO on a project that personally interests you.

Plan ahead. Remember to update your resume (and perhaps even your wardrobe). Do you have sufficient business casual and formal attire for your internship? Plan ahead by revising that resume and going on a shopping trip before your internship. You are not only representing your school, but also your work ethic, both aesthetically and practically.

Once your final exams are over (and what a relief that will be!), review these steps. Allow the time between the end of this semester and your first day as CFP intern to do some soul-searching. How do you really want to make a difference while working with your non-profit? What does this say about your character? Why did you want to become a CFP intern in the first place? Think about it.

What If...I Don't Get My Placement?

It is the dreaded question that every CFP intern asks: "What if...I DON'T get any of my top three placements?!" Now before you hop onto that roller coaster of worry and doubt, take a moment to consider your options. Yes, not getting into one of your top three non-profit organization (NPO) choices for the Community Fellows Program can be disappointing and can leave you saying "What now?" Fear not! Here are some pointers to help keep you motivated and passionate in light of these unexpected circumstances:

You Never Know Until You Try

• Remember that at the end of the day, you are going to have a rich CFP learning experience. Regardless if you are working with your NPO preference or not, you need to give the NPO you are assigned to a chance to prove itself worthy of your internship experience.

Do Your Homework

• Some non-profit organizations are more than what they seem. Before you sigh and say “Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to make the most of this,” do some research on your non-profit. Their mission may just expand your horizons on how to explore different career opportunities as well as how to better your community.

Be Eager

• One thing that can really ruin your overall CFP experience is a poor attitude. Remember to be grateful that you were selected as a well-qualified candidate from a pool of over a hundred applicants- all of whom wanted your position. Be eager to learn, no matter where you are placed. At the end of the day, your CFP experience is what you make it out to be.

So what if you don’t get your preferred placement? Odds are you’re going to be surprised at how things work out for a greater purpose. What will yours be?

Be Prepared

You cannot control everything that takes place for the Community Fellows Program or whatever position for which you are applying. However, take charge of the things that you do have control over, such as your attire. Here is some advice on how to be prepared for the CFP Orientation Meeting, on April 10, 2014:

Tip #1: Dress like a professional, not a student. What does this mean? It means that when an employer looks at you, they should be able to identify you as a person who is serious about the position and conscientious about their appearance. 

Tip #2: What is business attire? Leave behind your jeans, sneakers, T-shirts, gaudy accessories (i.e. blatantly branded handbags, sunglasses, hoop earrings, rings, etc.) and anything else considered "casual attire." Dress to impress: modestly yet tastefully, as you would for a professional interview. Ladies: no heavy make-up or platform heels, and wear pantyhose if necessary. Gentlemen: no white socks, and remember your dress shirt (preferably a suit), dress shoes, belt, and tie.    

Tip #3: Be punctual!  Not only does this reflect poorly on your time management skills (even if you do have a legitimate reason for being late), but it can also affect your confidence and composure. Be early so that you can mentally prepare for whatever comes next.

Note: International Students

Be sure that you are qualified and have submitted your Curricular Practical Training (CPT) form and documents to the International Student Services Office. Failure to do so will result in not being able to participate in the Community Fellows Program. Here is a link to access the CPT form:

 http://students.adelphi.edu/sa/iss/pdfs/curricular-practical-training.pdf 

Remember that you are an upcoming professional and that you need to prove this to every employer you come to encounter. Be prepared so that you can do your best!