Service-oriented jobs, in light of nationwide economic downturn, considered a 'wise career move' for Loyola graduates

For the past couple of years, Loyola's Center for Community Service and Justice and the Career Center have partnered to host a nonprofit and community service career fair for Loyola students who are interested in pursuing service opportunities and professional work experience after graduation.

Many alumni have reaped the benefits of working with non-profit organizations post-graduation and have proven that full-time community service is a wise career decision in light of the current economy. The number of Loyola graduates who pursue full-time service opportunities is growing, which raises the question of whether or not the current economic climate has to do with students' career decisions of turning to service-oriented work.

Last Monday, about 40 organizations and 140 interested students filled McGuire Hall to learn about the benefits and details regarding various international and domestic service organizations.

Jennifer Rowley, assistant director and internship coordinator of the Career Center, believes that students are choosing this nonprofit career route because they are passionate about serving others - they are not just choosing this career move as an alternate to a job offer.

"A lot of students consider nonprofit careers as a possibility after their completion of their Loyola education because of the Jesuit mission and values that they have embraced as a result of being a part of the Loyola community. I believe that a lot of the service opportunities that students participate in during the course of their time here open their eyes to the possibility of continuing this work after leaving Loyola" said Rowley.

Senior CCSJ Service Coordinator Melissa Rosvold, who is interested in pursuing work with a nonprofit organization after graduation, believes that this opportunity will turn a part-time job of performing service here at Loyola into a full-time job working with a larger organization.

"This opportunity will better me as a person because it will allow me to fully give myself to others" said Rosvold.

Post-college service also provides alumni with several tangible benefits. Many organizations offer student loan deferment, educational grants, higher education opportunities (for instance, obtaining a masters degree), health insurance and financial accommodations (transportation, stipends and housing).

Tina Esser, '12, an elementary education major, said, "This option is attractive because it gives me the opportunity to give back to the community while also developing my place in the education community. With the amazing education program here at Loyola, I'm not worried about finding a job after I graduate - I'm more concerned about finding the time and financial means to go back to school and get my masters degree."

Malia Lien, CCSJ program coordinator and coordinator of the nonprofit and community service career fair, believes that "working with a nonprofit organization for a year can help students to discern what they want to do in the future. For example, law students can seek service opportunities working as a legal aide, which then gives students the opportunity to obtain professional experience before committing to the occupation. You get a taste of what you may want to pursue."

Many people may have the misconception that working for a nonprofit organization after graduation is equivalent to taking a year off, which will then set alumni back in the "real world." As a whole, employers prefer candidates who are well-rounded and who are experienced. Whether students participate in short term (3-6 months) or long-term (1-2 years) service after graduation, their resume will stand out from other candidates when seeking a job.

Alumna Maura Toomb, '08, who recently returned from her year of service, notes that it was not the state of the economy that drew her to this career decision, but it was more of the values and life experience that she was attracted to.

"My year with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps was absolutely a wise career move. It was an incredibly challenging and rewarding experience - I learned about myself, the way I relate to the world and to other people. I also gained valuable, real-life work experience working at the Public Defender Agency in Bethel, Alaska. I am very interested in going to law school in the next few years, and working in a law office helped me to cement that decision" said Toomb

Several companies are flexible when offering a candidate a job when they know that this candidate wants to pursue work with a specific service organization.

"I know students who have actually deferred job offers in order to do a year of service, and employers are very welcoming to this move," said Rowley.

A growing number of companies possess community-service related organizations within the company, so to have a candidate participate in a year of service and then return to their standing job offer with even more experience makes this candidate increasingly valuable within the company.

Said Rowley, "Employers know how the Jesuit mission has impacted students and how being able to continue this service is important."