IN THIS ISSUE:
*Events
*Volunteer Opportunities
*Internships, Jobs, and Beyond...
*In the Spotlight: An Opportunity You Cannot P.A.S.S.
EVENTS
A Conversations with Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr.
Monday, April 13th
5:00-6:00pm (Doors open at 4:30pm)
Max Palvesky Cinema, Ida Noyes Hall
“This may be the biggest fight of our time.” “Students who have the grades and ability to do well in college are being sent home because they cannot afford to pay their tuition bill.” – Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., March 14, 2009
Statesman, civil rights activist, theologian and alumnus, Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., ’67 returns to campus to discuss issues authoring the culture of our time in a discussion led by Ann Marie Lipinski, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and the university’s Vice President for Civic Engagement. In order to guarantee seating for this free event, please register at http://ucsc.uchicago.edu/pages/jackson.html. This event is hosted by the University Community Service Center and sponsored by the Vice President for Campus Life & Dean of Students in the University.
RSO Open Meeting
Thursday, April 8th
5:30pm
McCormick Tribune Lounge
Please join Bill Michel, Assistant Vice President for Student Life,
Sharlene Holly, Director of ORCSA, and other colleagues at an Open
Meeting for RSO Leaders. Bill and Sharlene will share with you some
of the expected impacts that the economy and the University's budget
will have on RSOs for 2009-10.
Finding Understanding and Support in a Challenging World
Thursday, April 16
4:00pm
OMSA (5710 S. Woodlawn Avenue)
Come to an open discussion for students who identify as having a disability! Let’s talk about the extra challenges we face here on campus and how we can improve awareness and support. RSVP and to request special accommodation(s) to Abby Ostrem at aostrem@uchicago.edu. Abby Ostrem is a Social Service Administration (SSA) graduate student who has personal experience as a student with a disability on campus.
In Search of Humanity: Blogs of an International Aid Worker
Thursday, April 16
12:00pm
Pick Hall, 1st Floor Lounge (5828 S. University Ave)
Presentation and discussion with the author, Obie C. Porteous (B.A. ’03). In Search of Humanity follows this journey through the biweekly postings on his private blog, which include surprising observations of the local context, illustrations of what works and what doesn't in the world of international aid, and personal anecdotes about life as an international aid worker in the remotest corners of the globe.
Spring Day of Service
Saturday, April 18th
8:30am-1:30pm
Join more than 100 students, staff, and faculty for a day of service with local environmental organizations - community gardens, local parks, neighborhood groups, and more. Presented as part of the University's Earth Week Celebration in partnership with the Sustainability Council. Please RSVP by email to Brooke Fallon at bfallon@uchicago.edu with Attn: Brooke in subject line. Your email should include: name, email address, and if you are registering as a group the members of the group.
Engaging Our Communities
Friday, April 24th
8:00am – 11:00am
School of Social Service Administration (969 East 60th Street)
You’re invited to join us for a presentation and conversation with Ann Marie Lipinski, Vice President for Civic Engagement, and Chicago community and University leaders on the University’s engagement efforts. RSVP at civic_engagement@uchicago.edu or 773.834.4122. Breakfast is provided.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
** This is a friendly reminder from Volunteer Referral that there are still great volunteer opportunities for you to get involved with! As the weather gets better keep in mind that there are a number of outdoor opportunities close by in Washington Park. Look out for spotlights on particularly great organizations and new ways to serve in the UCSC Newsletter. And even if you have come in already, feel free to stop by the UCSC to talk about possible volunteer opportunities. Contact Elspeth at emcgarvey@uchicago.edu to find a time to meet or with any questions you may have!
The Olympics Evaluation Committee is coming to Chicago and Chicago 2016 needs your help. Chicago 2016 is looking for sporting teams, clubs, organizations, classes, residence halls, etc. to put together a group to come out and help show your support for Chicago 2016. Anyone who is interested in bringing out a group of people can contact students@chicago2016.org to reserve a spot.
Camp City Year, a day camp that engages children in service learning, educational games and other fun activities, needs volunteers to lead groups of 3rd -5th graders during Chicago Public School’s Spring Break (April 6th-10th). Volunteers will be expected to lead activities, service projects, arts, and wholesome fun! If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Ellie McNeil at 312-532-1392 or via email: emcneil09@cityyear.org.
April 18th, 2009
The Chicago Metro History Education Center invites you to make a difference in students’ lives by volunteering to judge at a History Fair event this spring. As a judge, you will evaluate exhibits, documentaries, performances, or research papers on topics in Chicago history produced by students in grades 6-8 or 9-12. For registration information contact Chicago Metro History Education office at 312-266-8223 or e-mail them at info@chicagohistoryfair.org
INTERNSHIPS, JOBS, AND BEYOND...
CAPS Stimulus Package: Job Searching in a Weak Economy
Thursday, April 9th
5:30-7:00pm
Ida Noyes Hall, Cloister Club
CAPS staff helps students with finding a job amid the struggling economy. Advise includes where to look, networking opportunities, and making the most out of the tough job market.
Chicago Freedom School
Due: April 17, 2009
The Chicago Freedom School is seeking Instructors who will design and lead 14-hour courses for youth ages 14 - 16 enrolled in the 2009 Freedom Fellowship Summer Institute. Instructors will design creative and engaging courses that emphasize the real life experience of young people as well as their achievements, identity, and collective status in the world. To apply, visit www.chicagofreedomschool.org.
Public Allies: Ally Apprenticeship Program
The Ally Apprenticeship Program is a 10-month AmeriCorps focused on direct services in nonprofit organizations, participation in acclaimed leadership development curriculum, and creative service projects with fellow Allies and community members. In exchange, Allies earn $1,400-$1,800/month, earn an Education Award and have healthcare, and student loan deferment. An info session April 2 & 9 explains the opportunities and options of being an Ally. RSVP to macarthura@publicallies.org, or by visiting http://tiny.cc/8jlcX
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
An Opportunity You Cannot P.A.S.S.
Rachel Cromidas, Staff Writer
Whether you’re a graduating fourth-year or a returning student seeking summer work, Max Brooks wants you to think outside the for-profit box in these tough economic times. That’s why Brooks, assistant director of the Career Advising and Planning Services (CAPS) is directing University of Chicago students to the Public and Social Services Career Fair.
The University Community Service Center will be joining forces with CAPS to host the fair, which will emphasizes employment opportunities in the non-profit sector, from noon to 4 pm on April 17 in Ida Noyes Hall.
The career fair follows the Public Service Immersion Camp (PASS), a day-long immersion camp that brings community service-minded students into contact with alumni working in the public sector each year. PASS took place in Autumn of last year, but in the past has always occurred in conjunction with the spring career fair.
“This fair gives us the chance to bring to campus employers who might not be as good a fit as some of the other fairs that have a for-profit focus,” Brooks said. “We’re hoping to attract a student population that might not be inclined to show up to other [career] fairs.”
Brooks anticipates the fair will draw students who have spent their time in college volunteering, interning with non-profits and arts organizations.
“That said, it should also be a draw for students who maybe haven’t been as traditionally involved in volunteer work or non-profit internships and employment in the past,” he added. “One of the consequences of this particular economic situation is it forces people to think more broadly about their interests and what would be good matches for them. A silver lining for us at CAPS is that we are now able to talk to people about a wider variety of opportunities.”
Attendees should dress in business casual for the career fair, Brooks said. He also advises students new to career fairs to survey the fair’s twenty-plus employers and pick the ones who interest them the most before diving right in.
“I’d recommend starting with an employer that isn’t really at the top of their list—that will give [students] the opportunity to improve and get their routines down before going on to the employers they are most interested in.”
Fourth-year Caroline Ouwerkerk and program coordinator for the Community Service Leadership Training Corps (CSLTC) can also attest to the value of interacting with people in the non-profit workforce. She attended PASS two years ago and was impressed to learn about the breadth of opportunities available in the public sector—information she gladly shares with the first- and second-year student she mentors through CSLTC.
“Seeing people who are doing so many different things with their careers is always refreshing—it makes you feel that there might be life after university in terms of doing public service,” she said.
The University Community Service Center (UCSC) fosters the development of civic-minded students by providing substantive community service opportunities through community partnerships based on mutual trust and respect. If you have questions - how to get involved as a student or how to connect to students as a community organization - please contact us.
University Community Service Center
5525 S. Ellis Ave., Suite 160
Chicago IL, 60637
Tel: 773.753.4483
Fax: 773.834.1160
ucsc.uchicago.edu
