Public Service at the Forum

If you're looking for opportunities in the non-profit sector, this year's Career Forum offers some possibilities. It is true that the Forum is comprised mainly of for-profit companies. Traditionally, the non-profit agency, due to its small staff and budget, is unable to spare either the personnel or the money to attend such an event. As a result, the Forum takes on a rather "corporate" feel.

Although the percentage of non-profits at the Forum is low, there will be agencies representing a variety of issues: housing (Committee for Boston Public Housing), health (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute), international development (Peace Corps), consumer advocacy and the environment (the Public Interest Research Groups, or PIRGs), and teaching abroad (WorldTeach).

The Career Forum can be useful in a number of ways. Certainly the most common use is for "feeling out" prospects for jobs after graduation. Nearly all of the public service agencies, however, are eager to talk with students about possible summer employment, or term-time or summer internships as well. You may simply wish to find out more about the mission of a particular agency, or to ask the representative about other agencies in the same field. The Forum can serve the important function of allowing you to practice "interviewing" with a representative of an agency - it's a good way to get your feet wet without the stakes being too high.

If your interests are in the realm of public service, or if you wish to get a sense of "what's out there" beyond the corporate world, then take heart. The Office of Career Services hosts other events in addition to the Forum which focus exclusively on opportunities in the non-profit sector.

In early December, the Boston Public ServiceCareer Day will host approximately 24 greaterBoston non-profit and government agencies.Representatives from agencies in areas such ashealth, the environment, internationaldevelopment, education, community services,housing, women's issues, public interest law, andothers will be on hand to discuss jobs,internships, volunteer positions, or to talk abouttheir agencies.

In April the show goes to New York City as OCSwill host the New York Public Service CareerDay. This event allows students interested inpublic service opportunities in New York to cometo the city and have the day to meet informallywith representatives from over 35 non-profit andgovernment agencies. Participating agencies arevery eager to meet with Harvard students; a numberof graduating seniors who attended last year'sevents have been hired and will return to recruitothers!

To find out more about the public service days,watch the OCS newsletter for details, or stop bythe office and see Scott Atherton