Lauren Morton-Farmer
Staff Writer
Today the cafeteria hosted Pepperdine’s annual Nonprofit Fair, part of the National Week of Peace, Hope and Justice.
The Career Center hosted dozens of nonprofit organizations, both local and national, giving students access to over a hundred volunteer, internship and paid positions.
With opportunities ranging from work in finance to fine arts, the fair allowed students to explore the possibilities of any number of careers in service.
Katrina Wills first began coordinating employer events for the Career Center in 2003. She said the purpose of this fair is to provide a wonderful opportunity to look into this often overlooked career sector and that, “it provides amazing internships and jobs at your fingertips.”
“[The Nonprofit Career Fair] creates a more interactive and informative job search compared to searching online,” she said. “Students can ask questions face-to-face. No one would be able to just walk into the Ford Amphitheater or Salvation Army Human Resources office and start asking questions like that.”
Wills believes the event is a valuable chance for all students. Each organization is looking for students from a wide range of majors and regardless of where they are in their undergraduate education, the fair is there as a platform for information.
“For example, Relief International, an international disaster relief and aid organization, is seeking finance and computer science majors, while the Ford Amphitheater needs fine arts students,” Wills said.
The fair can be helpful to all class levels, Wills said.
“Freshmen and sophomores will gain a better sense of possible careers, as well as narrow down what interests them,” she said. “[And] seniors and juniors may be surprised by the wide range of job and internship opportunities in the nonprofit sector as well.”
Wills said she was impressed with the student reaction to the fair. Pepperdine’s annual volunteer events like Step Forward Day and the addition of the nonprofit management minor have been great boosts to interest in the fair.
“Reaction to the fair has been very positive,” she said. “I love coordinating the Nonprofit Fair because of the diversity of students participating. Because organizations are offering volunteer opportunities, in addition to internships and jobs, it draws a diverse student population.”
Pepperdine alumna Amanda Dudley, class of 2006, has attended the Nonprofit Fair several times and since graduating has started working with the American Cancer Society.
“My interest in working in the nonprofit field began as a student at Pepperdine,” Dudley said. “I worked in the Volunteer Center for three years and under the mentorship of the amazing staff. I discovered a passion for service and advocacy. When I graduated, it seemed natural to manifest that passion in my career.”
As a recent graduate now pursuing a career with a nonprofit organization, Dudley said she appreciates the influence young people can have in the field.
“Young people have a unique and fresh perspective on issues that can re-energize nonprofits,” she said. “It is important for young people to have their voices heard, and working in a nonprofit is a great way to accomplish that.”
Junior Andy Canales has worked with Jumpstart, one of Pepperdine’s most popular nonprofit organizations, since his sophomore year and is now a team leader.
Though he said he is not planning to pursue a career with nonprofits, he is confident his experience with the program will be beneficial.
“My involvement with underprivileged children in at-risk neighborhoods is an experience that will be very valuable in the career in politics I plan to pursue,” he said. “Working in the nonprofit sector allows students to realize the kind of difference their gifts and strengths can make in people’s lives. It is very rewarding to know that you have been instrumental in changing a person’s life.”
The Nonprofit career fair is in the Waves Café and runs from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Students are not expected to stay the entire time, but to stop by when convenient. Also, Tuesday, Jan. 23 there will be a chance for all students to hear firsthand accounts of what it takes to be successful in the nonprofit sector from local alumni. This event will be held in the Fireside room from 6 to 7pm. Students can RSVP by calling the Career Center at ext. 4184.
01-18-2007