Wisdom from the field:
Stacy Womack, director of a LISC AmeriCorps program in Chicago, gives this advice on organizing a career development session: "Generally we schedule a human resources consultant to come in to assist with our career planning training. Members are asked prior to the meeting to complete the human resources self-assessment tool. During the workshop, time is allocated for an overview of the assessment tool, résumé writing, interviewing skills, and questions and answers. Members are also able to get one-on-one consultation after the meeting." Womack generally holds the trainings (with from eight to 15 members) in June, with additional resources available through August when the service terms ends.
What I know now–Womack has learned that "it's important for the members to take a leadership role in these trainings. I have encouraged the members to identify and develop the outline for what they would like to get out of the training. Generally, the members work in groups of two's and three's to come up with ideas and recommendations. That way there is a real sense of ownership and better participation."
"The training session causes the members to stretch," says Womack. "[After the training] members generally expressed that they've experienced growth in the areas of leadership, facilitation, presentation, and coordination of program and resources."
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Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), based in New York City, has programs around the country that help promote community development. A typical one-day career development session for LISC members begins with an overview of nonprofit career opportunities, gives practical advice on the steps involved in getting a job, and ends with a career panel.
Check out the sample agenda for a LISC training. Many of the handouts used in this training are available in the Everything To Know About Getting a Job toolkit.
One group exercise LISC has found useful–either as a stand-alone or as part of a full-day session–is "Applying for a Volunteer Coordinator Position."
Steps for the activity:
1. Print the Job Opening announcement.
2. Ask members to individually identify:
- What skills and experiences do you have for the position?
- What questions do you think the interviewer will ask?
- What questions would you want to ask about the position and the organization?
3. Discuss your answers as a group.
4. Now, ask members to pair off and do practice interviews using the Volunteer Coordinator questions or creating their own.
5. Come back together as a whole group and share the experience.
For another example of how to approach career development, see Plan a Life After AmeriCorps Training.
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