Postgraduate & Alumni Programs

New program focused on CAREERS IN PUBLIC SERVICE

Postgraduate Programs [PDF]
Postgraduate Fellowships Schedule [PDF]

In this transient, rootless, pluralistic society, your identity is what you've committed yourself to. If you make no commitments, you're an unfinished person... You build meaning into your life through your commitments -- whether to your religion, to your conception of an ethical order, to your loved ones, to your life work, to your community."
—John W. Gardner, Stanford University’s 100th Commencement, 1991

Six Strategies for Pursuing a Career in Public Service:
1. Know yourself.
The first step in any job search is to know what you are looking for and the best place to start is with yourself. The clearer you are about your interests, skills and job criteria, the more easily you will find appropriate options; the search for a career in public service is no exception to this rule. Spend some time reflecting on your skills and brainstorming your interests and goals. Be honest with yourself about your strengths and what matters to you and your search will yield better and more satisfying results.
Hot tip: Your service pursuits and commitments offer an excellent window of insight into what may become your future vocational passions.
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2. Explore your options.
Now that you know what motivates you, spend some time discovering the job landscape in the different sectors and identifying organizations with ambitions and strengths similar to your own. Are you passionate about a specific issue and willing to contribute to that cause in any way necessary? Do you want to do a particular type of work or use a specific skill set and are willing to work on a variety of issues in that capacity? Are you seeking to work in a particular organizational type or sector, or are you completely open to whatever is out there? (You may find that an affirmative answer to the last question lands you in a difficult situation. It may seem that being as open as possible is the best way to go, but sometimes having too many options can make your brain hurt! Push yourself to identify a few search criteria and don’t stress: you can always adjust your criteria once you get started.)
Hot tip: Check an organization’s mission statement to gauge whether it is a good fit for your interests and skills.
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3. Score some substantive face time.
“Getting your foot in the door” is perhaps the single best way to get a job. Completing an internship or fellowship is perhaps the single best way to accomplish that goal. If your dream organization is unable to offer a paid opportunity, get creative! Arrange a directed reading with a faculty mentor to combine your internship experience with academic content to create a credit-bearing experience. If you can swing a week of unpaid work, offer to complete a project for the organization over Spring Break. Always remember that all work experience, whether or not it is paid, is valuable and should be considered as you craft your resume and application materials.
Hot tip: Work hard, and demonstrate your value and the organization may try to keep you around.
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4. Network, network, network!
As in every job search, connections are among your biggest assets in the pursuit of a public service career. Don’t feel especially well connected? Start by sharing your ambitions with friends and family members and seek their advice or referrals. Follow up with every lead and ask those people for additional referrals. Write a thank you note after every conversation and informational interview and watch your network grow! Feel like networking is a dirty word and sleazy deed? It doesn’t have to be. A network that works best is one based on genuine connections. If you value your relationships with friends and colleagues, you already have the tools necessary to be a good and helpful networker. Most people enjoy connecting friends with similar interests or complementary needs.
Hot tip: Utilize one of the most connected and helpful networks in the world: Stanford alumni! Use the resources below to find information on the multiple ways to connect with alumni.
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5. Apply and interview like a pro.
When it comes time to apply for a specific opportunity, make your resume and cover letter work for you. Read the job application closely, think broadly about your skills and education and draw direct connections between the qualifications and what you can offer. Your application materials speak volumes; make an appointment for a resume or cover letter review at the Career Development Center before submitting them. In the job search, as in many aspects of life, it pays to be careful. Consider every instance of correspondence with a potential employer to be a part of the formal evaluation and interview process. All the usual clichés apply: Put your best foot forward because the devil is in the details and you never get a second chance to make a first impression.
Hot tip: When crafting your materials, refer back to the organization’s mission statement to guide the language you use and the experiences you highlight.
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6. Be realistic.
Time for some conventional job search wisdom: In the criteria triad of location, job and timeline, common experience holds that only two of the three are achievable at any one time. For example, you can have your dream job, in the perfect location, but it will take a long time to find. Alternatively, you can find a job right away in your favorite place, but you might not be thrilled about your job responsibilities. You get the picture. Although this will not always prove to be the case, using this as a guideline can help you remain optimistic and realistic during your search. Invest some time helping your family and friends understand the various aspects of the job search process; a few proactive conversations can go a long way in lessening well-intended questions that often cause unintended stress.
Hot tip: Remember, your career development is a lifelong process. Approach every experience as an opportunity for learning, self-reflection and growth. It is much less about the specific job you land and much more about what you choose to learn while you are there.
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