Posse Alumni, Career Partners Support Scholars’ Professional Development
Posse D.C. organized several winter events to provide Scholars and alumni with career exposure, information about applying to graduate school, and guidance on interviewing.
The programming began with a career panel featuring high-level representatives from the nonprofit science, technology and strategy organization Noblis, international commercial law firm Kirkland & Ellis LLP, and media company Discovery Communications. Panelists spoke on a variety of topics including how to prepare a compelling summer internship application and how to strategically navigate office culture.
“Having the panel of Posse Career partners taught me how to make the most of my past career experiences and use the skills I obtained for future internships and jobs,” says Michel Ajjan (Bucknell Posse 6).
Alumnus Derron Wallace (Wheaton Posse 4), Posse’s director of graduate and fellowship programs, led a seminar for Scholars and alumni about graduate school. A panel of alumni that included Odinakachi Anyanwu (Bucknell Posse 1), Cristina Sacco (Bucknell Posse 2) and Edgar Ndjatou (Brandeis Posse 5) spoke about the rewards and challenges they encountered while pursuing graduate school opportunities and encouraged Scholars to approach advanced study with resolve and patience.
Derron followed the discussion with a presentation highlighting The Posse Foundation’s graduate school partnerships with Carnegie Mellon University, Johns Hopkins University, Northeastern University, Northwestern University and the University of Washington.
“It was really helpful to hear from professionals who have actually been through or are going through the graduate school process,” said Brandon Holden, a freshman at Bucknell. “The welcoming and comfortable atmosphere created by the panelists and Posse D.C. took away the nerves I had and allowed me to soak up all the helpful information that was offered.\"
Finally, for Scholars and alumni interested in education careers, the Shaw campus of KIPP D.C. hosted a tour of the school and a discussion with current and former teachers of the Capital Teaching Residency program. The program supports outstanding individuals as they develop into skilled educators through extensive coaching, coursework and daily practice perfecting their skills in a real classroom. The event concluded with a mock interview session, which provided participants an opportunity to practice their interviewing skills and receive feedback.
“I found the mock interview really helpful. Now I am more comfortable seeing myself as a teacher,\" said Kiana Murphy (UW-Madison Posse 3).
Posse D.C. is grateful to all of the panelists, Scholars and alumni who make winter programming so successful.
