Careers in the Common Good

an initiative of the Career Development Center and the Engaged Life Partnership at the Swearer Center for Public Service.

. . . for those interested in learning more about third sector nonprofit and social justice work.

skill-building workshops for jobs and internship seekers
opportunities to hear from alumni and other community leaders engaged in public interest work, and to have conversations over coffee (see Community Hour, below, for this semester's schedule) about connecting your passion to your studies and to your life after Brown
online resources to assist you in exploring your options.

Exploring Options

Look here for links to job listings, programs, fellowships, and networking opportunities divided by issue area.

CCG Listserv

Join the CCG listserv, published weekly, for job and internship leads, and to be informed about what’s happening in the CCG community here at Brown and beyond. Email ccg@brown.edu to sign up; just put “listserv signup” in the subject heading.

Community Hour

Every Tuesday
4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
J. Walter Wilson, Room 411

Download the Spring 2009 Community Hour Calendar (PDF format)

Each week, Careers in the Common Good hosts an informal discussion about CCG-related topics, moderated by a guest speaker and often featuring panels of alums working in third sector and associated fields. Join us for free coffee* and enlightening conversation.

Feb. 3: Education Career Pathways — Hear about different pathways in education including alternative certification teaching programs, graduate work in teaching and education, charter schools, and opportunities in the nonprofit education sector. Facilitated by Kathryn Good, Director, International Students and Programs, Summer & Continuing Studies and Carin Algava, Assistant Director, Teacher Education at Brown. (Click here for the handouts from the session: Resources.)

Feb. 10: Starting a Business in Fair Trade Coffee & the Local Food Movement — Rik Kleinfeldt MA’90 (History), Founder and President of the RI-based company, New Harvest Coffee Roasters, will share his story and perspective.

Feb. 24: Green Design and Energy Efficiency — Professor Kurt Teichert, Center for Environmental Studies, will facilitate a discussion about projects and initiatives to reduce the energy consumption and negative impacts of the built environment. (Click here for the Presentation Slides.)

Mar. 3: The Power of Grassroots Organization — Join a discussion facilitated by Clean Water Action’s Michael Coates, about how grassroots power works and how an organization is able to utilize grassroots tactics to get laws passed.

Mar. 10: Career Pathways in Public Health —This discussion addresses options, and includes a panel of Brown alumni who will share their experiences working in the field as recent Brown graduates. Moderated by Bev Ehrich, Career Development. (Click here for the handouts from the session: Public Health Entry Level Jobs, Public Health Alum Narratives.)

Mar. 17: Contemplating Starting Your Own Nonprofit Organization? Come hear Simon Moore '00, Founder and Executive Director of College Visions, Alma Guerrero '09, Co-Founder of Frida, Inc., and Jason Yoon, Executive Director of New Urban Arts, speak philosophically about the pros and cons of doing so. They will also provide some practical, nuts and bolts tips on how to get started-- pitching your idea for funding, assembling a board of directors, and establishing partnerships in the community. (This session was digitally recorded: Introduction and Panelists.)

Mar. 31: Understanding Microfinance — Delve into the world of Microfinance, including a history of microcredit, top organizations in the industry, and differences between domestic and international lending methodologies. Learn about work opportunities, including internships and fellowships, in the field. Facilitated by Nabeel Gillani '12, Capital Good Fund, Alan Harlam, Director of Social Entrepreneurship, Swearer Center and Kalie Gold ’08, Kiva Fellow. (Click here for the handouts from the session: Presentation Slides, Resources, Project Racine: Hati.)

Apr. 7: Social Enterprise & Social Investing — Ever wonder how to make money and change the world at the same time? Join us for a discussion about the emerging field of Social Capital Markets. Hear about the many types of careers that use market-based solutions to poverty. Facilitated by Alan Harlam, Director, Social Entrepreneurship, Swearer Center and Aden Van Noppen ’09. (Click here for the handouts from the session: Presentation Slides, List of Organizations.)

Apr. 14: Grantwriting Workshop — Nonprofits rely on fund development. Topics covered here will include prospect research, how best to target your funding search; writing and presenting your proposal and building relationships with donors. Facilitated by Meghan Donnelly, Assistant Director and Robert Guroff, Communications Manager, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Brown University. (Click here for the handouts from the session: Presentation Slides, Agenda and Notes.)

Apr. 21: Putting Change in Your Job and Pocket — Concerned that a common good job won't pay enough for you to manage and be happy? Come learn more about typical starting salaries in the nonprofit and government sectors, and explore your future financial decisions. Facilitated by Peggy Chang '91, Director, Engaged Life Partnership, Swearer Center and Wynette Richardson, Director, Student Financial Services. (Click here for the handouts from the session: Presentation Slides, Key Terms, Resources, Salary Story.)

May Senior Week: Your Money, Your Responsibility — A more in depth session about managing personal finances. Facilitated by Peggy Chang ’91, Director, Engaged Life Partnership, Swearer Center.

*Coffee for all CCG Community Hours is donated by New Harvest Coffee Roasters.

Other Events

Jan. 28: Info Session: Internships and Summer Opportunities in Providence
6:30pm–7:30pm, Petteruti Lounge, Faunce House
Learn what local agencies and organizations have to offer, as representatives come to campus to present opportunities.

Jan. 28: Community Service Opportunities Fair
7:00-9:00pm, Leung Gallery, Faunce House
Program allows Providence area agencies to meet with students, staff, faculty, and other community members to discuss the range of opportunities for engaging in community work. A brief internship workshop will be held prior to the event (6:30) in Petteruti.

Feb. 3: Making a Difference From the State Supreme Court
5:30-7:00pm, Crystal Room, Alumnae Hall
A talk by the Honorable Maureen McKenna Goldberg, Acting Chief Justice of the RI Supreme Court.

Feb. 24: Idealist.org Career Fair
11:00-3:00pm, Boston University Community Service Center
Nonprofit career fairs where organizations, job seekers, and career service professionals at local colleges and universities can meet face-to-face. Check out the Idealist.org web site for updates and more information.

Mar. 6: Not-for-Profit and Public Service Career Fair
12:00-4:00pm, Columbia University Alfred Lerner Hall
An opportunity to meet with employers and explore careers in the nonprofit sector.
and the All Ivy Environmental Career Fair
10:00- 3:00pm, Columbia University Low Library
An opportunity to connect with public agencies, consulting firms, nonprofit organizations and business and industry representatives. The Engaged Life Partnership at Brown offered $75 travel subsidies to 25 students attending these events!

Mar. 31: Rhode Island Federal Career Day
3:00-6:00pm, Bryant University
Various government agencies to participate. Check out the Government at Work web site for updates and more information.

Apr. 14: Living an Engaged Life
6:00-8:00pm, 134 Hope Street (home of Stephen and Mary Jo Foley)
Meet alumni who will share their career pathway and life story about what it means to live an engaged life, having figured out how to live a life that is balanced, rewarding, and meaningful.