The FELLOWSHIP FOR EMERGING LEADERS IN PUBLIC SERVICE
Developing the Next Generation of Public Service Leaders
THE 2009 FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION IS NOW AVAILABLE.
Program Description
The Fellowship for Emerging Leaders in Public Service (FELPS) is a 6-month development program for a select group of promising young public service professionals. This program brings together emerging leaders from across the country, who are currently working or plan to work in a public service organization in New York City. Through FELPS, these leaders will gain valuable experience and exposure to a range of career exploration activities that will help them define their path into public service. Monthly activities consist of two evening, lunch-time, or breakfast sessions, as well as additional sessions as organized by the fellows.
The FELPS framework guides its fellows through their career development process by asking these four questions:
- Why public service? FELPS aims to reenergize the fellows' initial choice to enter public service while encouraging them to examine their short, medium, and long-term commitment to the sector while balancing other life goals.
- What's in my toolbox? Through monthly workshops, FELPS assists fellows in obtaining a clearer assessment of their assets, knowledge base, and skill sets. With this assessment of their personal "tools" fellows have a greater ability to identify opportunities to deepen these competencies at work and in their lives.
- Who's in my network? Beginning with their peer network, FELPS Fellows develop a wider network of relationships and a greater ability to tap those relationships to further their career goals.
- What's my career map? Semi-monthly fellows meetings and guidance from Career Guides (NYU alumni in various public service professions) help the fellows gain a more robust understanding of the multifaceted and complex terrain of public service.
Program Activities
FELPS uses a variety of methods to explore its four guiding questions. These include:
-Monthly Speaker Series. The monthly Speaker Series provides a structured opportunity for FELPS Fellows to explore a wide range of issues and topics relating to public service. At monthly sessions, Fellows hear from featured speakers representing different types of public service careers or trends in public service work. While the speaker series is primarily hosted at NYU Wagner, some sessions take place at the speakers' places of employment, providing fellows with exposure to a variety of public service environments. Past speakers include:
- Larry Berger, CEO of Wirless Generation
- Vivek Maru, Counsel of Justice Perform Practice Group, World Bank and Founder of Timap for Justice
- Robert Walsh, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services
-Personal Exploration. In addition to the speaker series, Fellows will engage in monthly workshops that help them explore their strengths, goals and interests and develop a personalized career plan. Past workshops include:
- How to conduct informational interviews
How to build on individual strengths and manage weaknesses
How leaders create and use networks
How to get the most out of graduate school
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Fellows Network. One of the most valuable resources and sources of support for Fellows as they move through their public service careers will be the other extraordinary FELPS Fellows. From the very beginning of the Fellowship, Fellows have the opportunity to get to know each other through various activities and events, including a day long orientation session. Fellows are encouraged to get to know each other and actively network within the group, both socially and professionally.
