The Career Center

The Career Center houses a variety of professional development programs and resources designed to assist fellows in having lifelong roles in the progressive movement. The Center's resources equip fellows with informational tip sheets and publications—valuable resources for anyone seeking a job in the movement or seeking advice on how to develop and maintain their progressive career. The Center's programs provide fellows with opportunities for individual and group professional development coaching during their college years and sustainability coaching as they mature in the progressive community.

We are currently looking for fellows & alumni who are interested in helping rebuild our Career Center. If you are currently looking for a job, worried about finding a job post-graduation, or interested in transitioning careers and have a suggestion for the Career Center, contact Joy Lawson!  

Sustainability in the Movement programs

Progressive Academy Online: Job Series  

YP4's Progressive Academy Online allows you to access trainings anytime, anywhere.

Progressive Academy Online sessions are free, open to everyone, and taught by experienced professionals who use interactive activities along with resources that you can access and use at your own pace. 

YP4 has teamed up with Career Consultant, Alyssa Best, to bring you a Progressive Job series that includes: 

• How to Find a Progressive Job
• Marketing Your Best Self: Resume & Cover Letter Tips 
• How to Ace a Job Interview 
• Negotiating Salary & Benefits in an Economic Recession
• What’s My Dream Job?: Exploring Career Paths and Opportunities

To register for an upcoming online training or read training descriptions, click here. After each session YP4 uploads session resources that will be helpful in your job search.  

Resources

Professional Tip Sheets

Whether you're beginning your first job search or looking to maximize your professional skills, there's a tip sheet for you. The following topics are available for members of our network:

• Résumé writing: Communicating your authentic self
• Writing cover letters: Communicating your authentic self
• Interviewing: Communicating your authentic self & getting to know others
• Mastering the job search process: Knowing & communicating your authentic self
• Networking on the job, in internships, and beyond: Growing a lifelong supportive community
• Managing your boss: Building a great relationship & strategically growing your expertise
• Maximizing your experience: Growing your expertise & contributions over the long term
• Preventing burnout: Ensuring your long-term sustainability, contributions, & satisfaction
• Informational interviewing: Communicating your authentic self & getting to know others

IMAP: Individual Movement Action Plan

An IMAP is a tool that enables people to map out the vehicles, roles and communities they want to organize with based on their values and beliefs. We encourage you to chart immediate, medium, and long-term goals around the roles, communities, and vehicles that you need to be connected to or develop in order to achieve those goals.

Little Black Books

Little Black Books (LBBs) are carefully designed by senior fellows to be handy guides for campus organizers and student leaders. LBBs are straightforward and to the point, but useful for even the most experienced progressive activists. LBBs focus on essential organizing skills, illustrated with real-life stories and case studies from college activists so others can learn from fellows’ experiences.

Past Little Black Books have covered:

• Field organizing
• Fundraising
• Coalition building
• Advocacy and lobbying
• Media and messaging

Informational Interviews

Informational interviewing is an essential skill for an emerging professional to master. Informational interviewing builds mutually beneficial relationships while gathering information and suggestions to help you in your job search. Contact Rebecca Thompson for a guide to conducting informational interviews.