“A marathon, not a sprint,” may be a cliché, but in the context of one’s career, it could not be more true.
Particularly for those who will graduate into an economic reality that has been shaken by COVID-19, it is important for graduates to find professional opportunities that not only support them from a financial perspective, but that also support them from professional development and personal growth perspectives, too.
In 2011, Wally Weitz ’70 P’96 P’99 P’02 and Barbara Weitz ’70 P’96 P’99 P’02 established the Weitz Fellows Program, which provides one-year opportunities for Carleton graduates to work at select non-profit organizations in Omaha and nearby Lincoln, Nebraska.
Now entering its 10th year, the program is coordinated by Jack Becker ’86, executive director and CEO of the Joslyn Art Museum. Students benefit from a built-in support system with the cohort of fellows and the Weitz family, while living in a city recognized by many as one of the best in the U.S. for young professionals.
“It gave me the opportunity to do really cool policy and community work that most people can’t do right out of college,” Ingrid Hofeldt ’17, an Anthropology major wrote about her experience with the Women’s Fund of Omaha. “It changed the way I think about the things I learned at Carleton and allowed me to put the more theoretical education I gained into practice.”
The fellowship positions are paid, include benefits, and provide funds for professional development, while giving fellows holistic, well-rounded experiences in operations in non-profit settings. These are unparalleled opportunities for Carleton students interested in careers in arts management, non-profit management, and/or social change. The fellowships feature opportunities to gain hands-on, practical learning experiences in community engagement, fundraising, marketing, and policy work.
“Having only 11 full-time staff members running a professional opera company means that our office life is highly collaborative.” Stella Fritzell ’15, a Classics & Music double major wrote of her experience at Opera Omaha. “I feel very fortunate that I’m employed at a company where I can apply my numerous interests to a variety of projects – it’s a great way for a liberal-arts student to explore the numerous possibilities present in the professional world.”
The Career Center will host a virtual version of its annual Weitz Fellowship information session on Thursday, January 14th, which is open to all students to learn more about the program. Applications for the 2021–22 fellowships will be due Sunday, February 7th, via Handshake.