Winter Programs Energize Scholars’ Professional Development
Posse D.C. organized four interactive professional development workshops to help Scholars position themselves for success in the workforce. The programming, held during winter break, concluded with a networking event hosted by Holly Hassett, a public and government affairs consultant and member of the Posse D.C. Advisory Board.
A workshop, led by human resources industry expert Marilyn Monarch, provided Scholars with strategies and best practices for acing an interview. Following the session, Scholars put their skills to the test in mock interviews with senior representatives from Career Program partners Abt Associates, Discovery Communications, Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Noblis.
“The mock interviews were a great addition to the program as they allowed us to immediately apply the knowledge we gained from the earlier session in a practical way,” says Lafayette College Scholar Feevan Megersa.
In late December, Scholars and alumni participated in dynamic small group discussions about careers in public and foreign service. Joined by representatives from City Year, the Peace Corps, Teach For America, USAID and the United States Department of State, attendees had the unique opportunity to discuss strategies for thriving in these fields.
“I was impressed with the energy and intelligence of the Posse Scholars, but, more importantly, I believe their passion for making a difference and serving the public makes them promising prospects for the Foreign Service,” said Terry Davidson, who is a diplomat in residence for the D.C. Metro Region. “My Department of State colleagues and I look forward to collaborating with Posse Scholars for years to come.”
Sam Lim, Posse’s national director of graduate and fellowship programs, facilitated a workshop for Scholars and alumni to explore effective methods for identifying graduate and fellowship programs and thinking strategically about applications. In the spring, interested Scholars will work individually with Sam to apply for competitive graduate school scholarships and fellowships such as the prestigious Fulbright.
At the final winter Career Program event, Holly Hassett led an intimate conversation with alumni, sharing her insights on networking and personal branding, identifying and leveraging skills, and developing a career plan.
