1st Jobs for Seniors| Jobs & Internships | Office of Career Counseling

1st Jobs for Seniors — Ideas for the Transition from College to Career

Because so many students at Williams have diverse interests and skills, it is often difficult for them to decide what career path to choose as they leave the Purple Valley. Often, the indecision that ensues leads to getting stuck in the search right from the start. Therefore, we are offering some good alternatives for students who might find themselves in this awkward position.

First, a few concepts are important to understand as you begin the search:

the first job will likely NOT be your last
80% of all Williams grads earn an advanced degree, 75% within 5 years of graduating
learning to be independent is often a “job” in and of itself
most grads will be embarking on a 45-year career path, so taking time at the beginning to choose something that fits is VERY important
it is often helpful to explore activities that do not necessarily fall within the September to June timeframe

In other words, it is important to take that first step even if you’re unclear where it might lead in the long run. You need time to formulate a plan outside the confines of Williams College and all the distractions of lectures, seminars, readings, problem sets, papers, midterms, exams, and extracurricular activities.

On the other hand, many students have a career plan and are well on their way to implementing it. That’s great, but for those who don’t, the resources presented on this page will provide leads to some short-term possibilities that will offer excellent means to transition from Williams to the working world. Remember, the important thing is to begin. Explore these resources and come speak with career counselors at the OCC for advice on making yourself an excellent candidate.

Note: Level of Organizational Support
Support provided by individual organizations varies from very basic subsistence level (housing) to generous (salary, housing, food, and travel expenses). Investigate the details of each program thoroughly before you finalize your plans. We have not endorsed these programs, but are providing them as a place to begin your search.

Some Featured Resources to Help You Find Your First Job

Here are some general Web resources to assist you with your first job search. Included are some links to international teaching opportunities:
http://www.williams.edu/go/careers/social_resources.php
Here are some links to international resources to assist you with your first job: http://www.williams.edu/go/careers/international_resources.php
Here are many resources specifically targeted for our International Students:
http://www.williams.edu/go/careers/international_students.php
Flex Jobs are jobs that you can perform from home: FLEX JOBS
For instance—many green jobs are available: http://www.flexjobs.com/jobs/environmental
Here is a link to international post graduate fellowships:
http://www.idealist.org/en/career/fellowship.html
This compilation focuses primarily on funding post-graduate opportunities for individuals: http://staff.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/3subject.htm
Here are a few more links to secure grants for work in nonprofits:
http://staff.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/2sgalpha.htm

Here is a Continental Listing of Opportunities

First Jobs In The United States
First Jobs In Canada
First Jobs In The United Kingdom
First Jobs In Other European Countries
First Jobs In Australia
First Jobs In Asia
First Jobs In Africa
First Jobs In Mexico, Central and South America

FIRST JOBS IN THE UNITED STATES

Amate House—Schools, parishes, and social service agencies throughout Chicago and live in intentional communities of six to twelve people.
AmeriCorps—Government-affiliated service program includes the
Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) and AmeriCorps NCCC.
AVODAH—The Jewish Service Corps Jewish learning with social activism and community building in low-income neighborhoods (NYC and DC).
Camphill Soltane— A residential community made up of 85 people, including 40 young adults with special needs (called companions). Coworkers come from all over the world, and range in age from 20 to 76. Coworkers supervise work and craft stations and provide direct care-giving. Coworkers are supported in their basic needs by the economic life of the community.
Christian Appalachian Project (CAP)— An interdenominational, nonprofit Christian organization committed to serving people in need in Appalachia.
City Year —A service program that unites young adults from diverse racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds for a year of full-time community service, leadership development, and civic engagement.
Experience Corps —Active in 19 cities across the United States, this program engages people aged 55+ as tutors and mentors of elementary school children struggling to learn to read.
Green Corps' Environmental Leadership Training Program—A paid, 13-
month, full-time, field school for environmental organizing and activism. The program features classroom, fieldwork, and career placement.
Inner-City Teaching Corps of Chicago —A volunteer service program that places outstanding recent college graduates as teachers in inner-city Chicago classrooms.
Jesuit Volunteer Corps—Hundreds of international grassroots organiza-
tions that provide essential services to low-income people.
Jewish Organizing Initiative—Boston area community and labor organiza-
tions. Training in community organizing, Jewish identity and tradition, and group projects in the community.
Learn and Serve America—Programs in schools, colleges, and community organizations that engage nearly one million youth in the areas of education, public safety, the environment, and other human needs.
Lutheran Service Corps —An urban ministry that matches volunteers with programs that serve people in need in the Omaha, Nebraska area.
Lutheran Volunteer Corps—Full-time service in urban social justice organizations in ten cities across the United States.
MATCH Corps— An ambitious, intensive, one-on-one tutoring program designed to fully close the Achievement Gap between minority and non-minority students, and between economically disadvantaged students and their more advantaged peers.
Mercy Volunteer Corps—Volunteers work with those who are economically poor or marginalized in a spirit of solidarity and mutuality, live simply in community, and commit to personal and communal spiritual growth.
Milwaukee Community Service Corps— Engages 18 to 23 year old residents of the Milwaukee, WI area in community service continuing education.
National Association of Service and Conservation Corps —Provides training and technical assistance, for youth service and conservation corps programs across the country.
New Sector Residency in Social Enterprise (RISE)— Offers recent college graduates the opportunity to have significant social impact while developing their own projects and professional and leadership skills.
Northwest Youth Corps —Oregon-based nonprofit that focuses on job training, alternative/outdoor education, employment, youth development.
Peace Corps—U.S. government organization of men and women who live in another country for two years, to help solve some of the most important challenges facing the developing world.
Philly Fellows—Post-graduate fellowship program that connects graduates of area colleges with meaningful positions in partnering nonprofits, where they can build capacity, develop new professional skills.
Project Horseshoe Farm is a great fellowship program that is hosting a Williams graduate this year.
Public Allies—Intensive leadership training apprenticeship. Allies receive stipend, health and child care benefits, educational award.
Rocky Mountain Youth Corps—Job training and advocacy program in Colorado to gain self-awareness and insight, outdoor skills, job ethics, financial management skills, community skills.
San Francisco Conservation Corps—Job and academic training organiza-
tion to develop job skills, leadership abilities, and environmental awareness by completing outreach, conservation, and community service projects.
Shine A Lite Foundation, founded by Williams Alumnus Kurt Shaw ‘93.
Student Conservation Association —Education, leadership, and personal development program to perform public service in natural resource management, cultural preservation, environmental protection.
Teach for America—The national corps of recent college graduates, of all academic majors, who commit two years to teach in under-resourced urban and rural public schools.
United Planet (UP) —International nonprofit organization devoted to inspiring global citizenship and cross-cultural understanding through a range of diverse initiatives in over 50 countries.
The University for the Study of Human Goodness—"Soul-Centered Education for a Lifetime" combines service, study, and reflection.
Vincentian Service Corps —Serve the poor, live in community with other Corps members, and experience a simple lifestyle.
Volunteer Services Overseas (VSO) Canada —Active in more than 30 developing countries and offer both short- and long-term assignments (both with financial assistance).