Ashoka

Continuing further into the week, BYU Career Counselors, Heidi Vogeler and McKenzie Lawyer Davies visited BYU Alumna, Amy Dalebout at Ashoka in Arlington, Virginia.

Ashoka leads the social entrepreneur field in Washington. As such, the student fit is especially important.

Here is some information that Amy shared:

• Ashoka has about 200 full-time employees, 40 temp workers (during needed times) and 30-50 unpaid interns (these employees are everywhere from Washington DC to Africa, Latin America, and Europe)
• Ashkoa does not receive government money, but does utilize the help of hundreds of volunteers around the world
• Ashoka's five-year strategic plan includes increased growth from entry-level to executive leadership
• Ashoka has specific fit and five criteria that they look for:
• Entrepreneurial abilities
• Resonance with the Ashoka mission
• Collegiality ("Everyone is a change-maker."
• Ethical Fiber
• Vision
• A new "A*Year" program is a pilot program at Ashoka to help find new talent
• 13-month position
• 80% teamwork, 20% other project work
• Goal to strengthen entry-level talent and expose them to various aspects of the organization
• Shorter hiring process  
• $33,000 Bachelors, $40,000 Masters
• Compensation is based on local and cost of living

Advice for Interested Students

Because there is so much interest, Amy offers this advice to students:

• Tailor your resume! (Draw entrepreneurial experience to the to the top focus)
• Network with alumni, but don't monopolize everyone's time (if there is more than one at any given organization, choose one to reach out to and be aware that usually alumni talk to each other)
• Think hard about the entrepreneurial field and whether it is your passion 

About Ashoka

Ashoka is leading a profound transformation in society. In the past three decades, the global citizen sector, led by social entrepreneurs, has grown exponentially. Just as the business sector experienced a tremendous spurt in productivity over the last century, the citizen sector is experiencing a similar revolution, with the number and sophistication of citizen organizations increasing dramatically.

Rather than leaving societal needs for the government or business sectors to address, social entrepreneurs are creating innovative solutions, delivering extraordinary results, and improving the lives of millions of people.

It is this insight into the power of social entrepreneurs that led Bill Drayton to found Ashoka in 1980 and that continues to guide Ashoka today.

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For more information or to connect with Amy Dalebout, contact BYU Career Services via our website or call us at (801) 422-6535.

Pocock Financial Services

Earlier this morning, Career Counselors, Heidi Vogeler and McKenzie Lawyer Davies visited with Kathy Gustafson, BYU Alumna and Financial Advisor with Pocock Financial Services in Fairfax, Virginia.

As part of their outreach, Heidi and McKenzie sought information and advice from Kathy to help students, recent gradates, and experienced alumni. Here are some highlights of their visit: 

• Pocock Financial is a full-service family-run financial planning firm that emphasizes the importance of relationships (clients often become good friends)
• Kathy and her team are registered and in and work with clients from 14 states
• Pocock provides services such as advice on investments, assets, and personal finances (including retirement) and hopes to help clients become good money managers--it doesn't matter how much money you make, just how you manage it  
• While Pocock financial does not have a formal internship program because the need hasn't surfaced, they're not opposed to it; if they did they would look for good social and organizational skills, experience in event planning, good aptitude for the industry, and interest in the field

Career Tips for BYU Students

Kathy offered some advice for students leaving BYU and entering the workforce. She said make sure you do something you enjoy doing.

Kathy also emphasized the importance of finishing commitments and taking your professional pursuits seriously; be punctual, hard-working, and professional.

As a student, Kathy encourages students to learn all that you can learn, there is more than one way to be successful.

Finally, as parting financial trivia, Kathy told us two interesting facts about those that are generally financially successful: first, they stayed out of credit card debt, and second, they invested in real estate.

About Pocock Financial Services

Pocock Financial is an independent financial advisory firm that has been serving clients since 1989. We provide unbiased, professional, financial advice. Pocock Financial understands the financial challenges you face, such as providing for a family, preparing for retirement, and positioning assets for financial success.

We understand the difference between investor behavior and investment performance. You can too.

You work hard – so should your investments. Plan now, so you can invest in your future, and achieve your goals.

PLAN. INVEST. ACHIEVE.

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For more information or to connect with Kathy Gustafson, contact BYU Career Services via our website or call us at (801) 422-6535.

Hope for the Warriors

Today, Career Counselors, Heidi Vogeler and McKenzie Lawyer Davies visited with Spencer Anderson, BYU Alumnus and CFO of Hope for The Warriors, a nonprofit organization in Annadnale, Virginia.

As part of their outreach, they gathered information and advice to help students, recent gradates, and experienced alumni. Here are some highlights of their visit:

• Hope for the Warriors (HFRW) has 40 total employees with main offices in New York, Washington DC, Virginia, and North Carolina
• Charity Navigator, a nonprofit rating organization, has ranked HFTW highly since their inception in 2006
• Annual organizational growth is currently hovering around 25% with 11 new full-time hires planned for 2012
• Internships with HFTW are unpaid, however they offer a lot of experience (they look for interns in PR, Marketing, Graphic Design, Generalist, Event Management, Therapeutic Recreation, and Finance among others | internships are based on employee needs)
• Internship conversion is on the rise with former interns having an understandable leg up
• Entry-level positions with HFTW include administrative assistant, outreach coordinator, and program coordinator
• Spencer encourages BYU students and alumni to reach out to him

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Advice about Starting a Career in Washington DC

Spencer had a few pieces of advice for BYU students and graduates interested in the Washington DC area. He encouraged students to do their research and learn about as many organizations as possible and pointed out a few sites of which students should be aware:

• idealist.org
• conservativejobs.com
• talentmarket.org

Additionally he encourages students that it's not a bad decision to move out to DC without a job. Having a local address and the ability to interview is important; consider that for every one job, there are at least one hundred applicants, even for a small nonprofit.

Finally, Spencer encouraged students to network. "People notice BYU students," so make sure to connect with me and other alumni.

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About Hope for the Warriors 

Hope For The Warriors® is a national, nonprofit organization that supports wounded U.S. service members, their families, and families of the fallen. A group of military wives founded the organization in 2006. They stood together as they witnessed, firsthand, the effects of the war on service members and their families. Since that time, Hope For The Warriors® has grown tremendously in the span of programs offered and the number of wounded and family members assisted.

While founded and headquartered in North Carolina, the organization maintains offices in New York, Washington, D.C., and Virginia. Its representatives cover California, Texas, Florida, Illinois, and Wyoming, enabling us to maintain a nation-wide presence. The leadership of the organization still remains in the dedicated hands of military wives.

Together, our board of directors, staff, and volunteers work tirelessly to serve those who have sacrificed so much. The integrity of our organization is paramount and therefore our representatives are as honorable and noble as our mission and the people we serve.

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For more information or to connect with Spencer Anderson, contact BYU Career Services via our website or call us at (801) 422-6535.