Thanks to all who made constructive comments. I probably should have described D in my original post. She is a kinetic learner. Her degree program was a good fit because it involved a lot of action… pattern making, garment construction, making inspiration boards, etc. Of course she had to get through all the academic requirements for a 4 year degree but she doesn’t like school. She graduated on time with a nice GPA but doesn’t enjoy sitting in class. She wants to DO things.
She has no plans for a career in the nonprofit sector. She would not do well at the asking rich people for money part.
She is deeply religious in a non traditional way.
Sorry if I somehow implied that we plan to support her financially. She’s on her own in that regard although, as I mentioned, I’m fine with her staying on our health insurance.
Somehow, I imagined fashion merchandizing to have more to do with the marketing/business side of the field. Is she hoping to eventually work in fashion design?
My son in Lebanon works with a couple of different relief agencies, but he’s on his own as far as supporting himself. His dad and I pay his college tuition, but he raises money to pay for his living expenses. Churches, friends, and family. It’s been a tough haul for him but he’s happy. Not sure what he’s going to do after he gets his English degree next December.
@MaineLonghorn, I’m sure your son has developed unbelievable tenacity, patience and an amazing skill-set that will serve him well, whatever he chooses to do next. But coming back to the US after that experience will be a huge re-adjustment!
@inthegarden, thanks. He’s talking about going to grad school in Germany. Who knows, ha? He’s been dating a young woman from Syria for quite awhile now, so she may influence his decision.
@MaineLonghorn, the sky’s the limit as to what he may do. His life (and yours) will likely never be boring. My brother’s wife is a 2nd-generation Lebanese-American. Though so often sad, what a fascinating part of the world is the middle east!
To answer inthegarden’s question, it was a major that combined all aspects of the industry. I didn’t want to use the exact name of the major because it’s identifying.
She may want to work in the industry after a year or two, or maybe not. It’s not that she disliked her major or that she is not employable. She wants to devote herself to doing good for a while.
Son’s friend worked a non-profit, the peace corp. he could have returned to the non profit, but decided a law degree was a better route to make change. Without too many details, after 2 years, he is now headed to a Caribbean island where he will definitely be making waves. (It probably,shows, but I love this kid). Clearly, your DD is not headed for law but it was an avenue for this young man to be in a position to have an impact, even tho he won’t be making $$$.
A former client had the aspiration somewhat similar to your DD. He has obtained a nursing degree and is working on a MA that will give him the skills to be a part of the groups that travel the world, offering medical help. Again, not useful to your DD, but maybe of use to others.
Sister’s friend began with Peace Corps, and remained for her lifetime with them.
Divinity school. I’ve been learning how many career paths this degree enables.
I know suggestions 1 & 2 don’t fit your DD, but help others who r following this thread.
First, she needs to find something she can support herself with. That’s priority number 1. If she has a merchandising degree, there are some valuable skills that can be adapted. For a first job, she doesn’t have the luxury of being picky. Take what’s offered and be happy. After a couple years of experience, it’ll be easier to move into something more aligned with what she wants to do.
I know the OP’s daughter is not interested in teaching, but others reading may not be aware of City Year - one of my daughter’s closest friends spent the year after graduation in Boston and just loved it.
She can also really dig deep into the guts of AmeriCorps because most of their programs are non-teaching.
Neither my daughter nor my son were interested in teaching, but found programs relevant to their interests that do a great deal of good. My daughter’s service year was amazing. She can point to specific accomplishments that made a difference, and she made herself much more marketable. Her first job after service was excellent, and a year and a half later, she got the dream job. NYC is an Employer of National Service, so she got a tip as an AmeriCorps veteran, as well as the entire support network that AmeriCorps provides. She made enough during her year to just support herself with a roommate and then she took the education award and paid off her loans.
My son majored in IR and spent the first couple of years out of school being somewhat underemployed in international NGO work. He’d had experience every summer at his college’s program to turn the dorm into a hotel/conference site. (They also took care of a lot of the graduation logistics.) The first year he was emptying rooms between clients and serving coffee in the lounges, the following years he was a supervisor and eventually was the head student supervisor. He was an intern at the Clinton Foundation where he did background research for countries and later also helped organize a big conference. He went on to an internship and later job at the International Crisis Group where he organized a conference/trip for their donors that took them to the Ukraine and Russia. Then he got jaded and decide he could help the world more by joining the Navy. He did live with us as NYC is so expensive and we really enjoyed having him around. I’m sure if he’d stayed with the ICG he’d have found some sort of apartment somewhere, but he hates the City.
I have to point out that it is a very small % of non-profit positions that require staff to ask for $$$. That may be the job of top admin people but it is NOT the job of most of those working directly with community members in need of services.
I would look for larger, long standing non-profits in her chosen city and see if they have any positions posted. It doesn’t have to be the tiny soup kitchen. There are many larger non-profits - perhaps even national headquarters in bigger cities if she is close to a significant city.
I still don’t see (or missed) what your D’s interests so we can offer more concrete info. Kids? Health/Wellness? Women’s issues? Food security? Workforce training?
I hate to be the one to raise these questions but she seems very picky, can’t teach, can’t manage non-profit, no AmeriCorps, no political campaign, no serious full time job for three years, degree in fashion merchandising.
If she really wanted to make a difference, she should have gone with a related degree and added related experience to her resume. She may come across as someone who couldn’t find a good job in her own field and now trying to spin her resume.
If she just recently developed this idealism then it’s fine but it may take some time to establish new theme. She should take any related job and do it well, it’s easier to find next job or project if you are in the field meeting relevant people. If she is such an idealist then she should find this struggle fulfilling.
Something she can do today is ask at her jobs if she can take a part in their social media.Working in nonprofits requires more than “asking rich people for money”. Experience in branding and creating content across platforms is crucial for getting a group’s identity and mission out into the public. Even better if she can eventually become the lead social media manager.
I would also encourage her to start volunteering today. It’s a great way to both get one’s foot in the door and to try out an organization’s culture. I’ve had the experience more than once of being offered a paid position after volunteering. Neither position involved fundraising and I did not have a degree relevant to the position. I was able to prove myself by doing the work, as were other people I met in these groups.