What type of individual is the program looking for?
FELPS is looking to attract young professionals who have the following characteristics:
- Commitment to public service. The ideal candidate will possess a varied work record, including summer, campus and/or volunteer experience in public service. In addition to his/her prior public service work, the ideal candidate will be able to convey a clear vision for a long-term engagement with public service.
- Capacity for leadership. The ideal candidate will have exercised leadership on some public service activity on campus and/or in his/her community and be recognized by an official from their undergraduate institution or by their employer as having the potential for continued leadership.
- Position in public service. Participants should have a public service position in the New York metropolitan area that allows them to appreciate the breadth of opportunities within public service.
In assembling the group of participants, we are looking to construct a cohort that: (1) demonstrates diversity; (2) is drawn from undergraduate institutions from across the nation; and (3) reflects the broad range of public service positions.
What if I am not currently working full-time for a public service organization? Can I still apply?
You must be currently serving full-time in a public service position in the New York City area to apply for FELPS and must remain in a public service position throughout the fellowship. Unfortunately, internships and part-time work do not qualify you for the fellowship. We encourage you to apply for the fellowship after you gain full-time public service employment.
I recently graduated from graduate school, but your materials say most fellows will have graduated from their undergraduate institutions within 3 to 5 years. Should I still apply?
Regardless of additional educational experiences, applicants should have graduated from their undergraduate institutions within the last 3 to 5 years. If you already have a professional degree (Masters, Ph D, JD, etc.), you may not benefit fully from the program. The fellowship is designed for emerging leaders who have not yet solified their career interests with a professional degree and employment in a specific field. Many of our fellows choose to continue their education by enrolling in professional programs within 1 to 3 years of completing the fellowship.
In what public service fields are fellows employed?
We strongly encourage anyone in a public service position to apply. This includes nonprofit employees, foundation employees, government employees, and for-profit employees working on a public service project. In the past, fellows have come from a range of backgrounds and interests including: the environment, public policy, education, health, social justice, and international affairs to name a few. The program provides tools for successful leaders in any field of public service work. Sessions are not field-specific and are intended for all emerging leaders in public service, so you need not worry whether you are a public school teacher or a policy analyst at an environmental defense agency. Every session will benefit every fellow.
Who should write my recommendation and how long should it be? What do you look for in a recommendation letter?
Your current direct supervisor must write your recommendation. Recommendations from professors or previous supervisors are not acceptable. We understand that you may be new to a position and we take that into consideration when reading your recommendation. Recommendation letters need not exceed one page. We look for examples of your commitment and enthusiasm to your work, as well as your supervisor's recognition that you will be involved in a prestigious fellowship which will eventually directly benefit your organization. We ask your supervisor to be understanding of your participation in the fellowship and that limited time may be required during limited business hours (in order to arrive at evening sessions by 5:30pm, which are often held at NYU but may be held in other locations in Manhattan).
FELPS Fellows are expected to:
- Attend ALL events including a mandatory orientation held at the beginning of the fellowship, currently scheduled for Sunday, November 8, 2009, and sessions approximately twice a month. Fellows must be able to arrive at evening session locations (often at NYU) by 5:30 pm. Fellows must also meet all deadlines and complete all assignments. Participants and employers will be asked to sign a statement of commitment at the beginning of the program. Fellows who fail to demonstrate their commitment through participation may be asked to leave the program. (The fellowship will run from November 2009 to May 2010).
- Participate in committees and activities organized by the committees (in addition to the semi-monthly sessions).
- Share their thoughts, experiences, and contacts with their fellow Fellows.