Do you think she could teach low income women to alter clothing? In my town the woman who shortens trousers and hems dresses is swamped with work. Skills like this might be a path to a decent job for a woman.
Please recall that it’s Mom on this thread, not her. She is doing a deep dive into AmeriCorps. No need to apply for Teach for America if she doesn’t want to teach - no need to subject the kids to that. She graduated from college last May - don’t know where the “no serious full time job for three years” came from. She has three jobs - two very related to her interests one that pays the bills. Goodness.
@abasket, I know of at least three kids at our church who raise their own support to work at orphanages, refugee camps, and schools around the world. It’s not that uncommon in Christian groups.
Agree, MaineLonghorn. One young lady from church called us repeatedly to help finance her volunteer work. We did not give.
@missypie Depending on faith tradition background, LVC (Lutheran Volunteer Corps) is a highly regarded yearlong program that immerses the post-college gap year students in the social work programs directly. They typically bring together students from around the country, who are assigned to work at various agencies in a city and they share a household for the year. https://lutheranvolunteercorps.org for more info.
the Lutherans even have an international arm of this. I know a guy who went to eastern Europe for a year after graduating from college.
I am trying to be helpful! It is sad to me to think that people label non-profits as $$ beggars. That is a very narrow minded opinion of the majority of people doing non-profit work. Church related or otherwise. Bowing out of this thread.
Best of luck to your D finding a job that will work out for her in terms of her desires and provide a living wage.
SHe can be a doctor, a nurse, an orderly, maybe even an attorney(though they have a bad rep), or a teacher for examples.
Of course, fashion merchandising is a useless degree for those careers, but they all help people. Perhaps if she has “blue” leanings she could donate her time/skills in whatever “help the people” career. That way people less fortunate get her help for free.
Or, similar to what tpike said in post 14, if she makes a lot of money, she can donate it to the poor. This would help the poor and put her "blue " leanings into actual practice. It isn’t easy, but it sure is honorable, and is holding true to one’s beliefs.
Sometimes young people have grand dreams that can be difficult to put into action, or sometimes they just wish for others to put their plans into action. I had a tough time with the transition from college classes to real life, and I suspect I wasn’t the only one ever. When it came time for me to put my money where my mouth was, it wasn’t as easy to actually do.
I don’t look at my son as “begging.” People think he is doing worthwhile work with Syrian refugees and are happy to support him. He and about three other volunteers are the ONLY ones working at the camp south of Beirut at this point. PS - they make it VERY clear to everyone that they do not favor Christians or anyone who converts. They are there to help everyone, equally.
I know that non-profits need money. People in charge of non-profits have to ask people with money for some of their money. It’s a fact, but as I said, D does not seek a career in the non-profit sector. She would prefer to be the person using the chainsaw to clear the path, rather than the person who asked for the money to buy the chainsaw. I’m not criticizing either function, just commenting on what would be a good fit for my D.
I agree with @Sue22 who suggested, several pages ago, looking into a small, even local (to the d) nonprofit. Speaking from two decades of experience: it can be a way to make a genuine difference to the population served, as well as a means of learning valued skills, because you have to do pretty much everything. Admins, btw, contribute significantly to the group’s mission. They’re usually the point of first contact and often become a source of support to the client. By making the organization efficient, they allow it to be as effective as possible in fulfilling its mission.
One advantage to someone just entering the job market when seeking a job at a small, local nonprofit: the director or board will often take a chance on someone without directly applicable experience. The disadvantage is that they’ll do this because they can’t afford to pay what a for-profit organization pays. This can mean a real opportunity to lead projects and learn skills that could take longer to attain in a different setting.
@missypie, I admire your d for her desire to make a difference (and you for your tactful responses).
You don’t have to join an organization to do good works. You can pick up trash around your neighborhood or in the park. You can plant flowers to beautify an area. Or set up a little library in your front yard. Quiet things that require no group.
Nonprofits have development people who ask for money, but they also employ people to actually do the work.
I just looked up nonprofit jobs in Silicon Valley. Here are some examples of paid jobs: Service Dog Trainer to train dogs for wounded service people; 24 Hour Emergency Client Support for people with developmental disabilities; Caregiver for Adults with Disabilities; Case Manager for people with disabilities; Family Eligibility Worker for Subsidized Child Care; Community Worker to do community outreach with at-risk families with kids under 5.
None of these jobs pay well, but all of them are on the ground, working with people who need help. If your daughter wants a job like these, they are all around us.
One of the kiddo’s friends became a forest firefighter after graduating from college. Kid showed me her FB photos. That girl wanted to do things that required physical stamina.
A company named Alex and Ani. Committed to positive energy and positive messages. Strong empowerment for women. Carolyn Rafaelian is an amazing woman and philanthropist the company leads a charity by design focus.
There’s nothing wrong with working for a jewelry company like Alex and Ani, but if a person feels called to get a job doing good in the world, they should follow those impulses. They should find a job doing something like helping the mother of a three-year-old get therapy for his autism, not designing necklaces. Somebody has to contribute the money, but also somebody has to do the work, and if the OP’s daughter wants to be the one doing the work, she should go out and do it.
I get that Missypie’s D doesn’t want to do fundraising–I’m commenting to correct misperceptions about nonprofit fundraising. Non-profit fundraising isn’t begging. Beggars desperately seek money from anyone. They play on your feelings of pity or guilt. When they get your money they aren’t accountable. Fundraising in non-profits is not the same and is absolutely critical to keep organizations going.
It may be a bit difficult to use altruism as a launch pad for a fancy career but there is no lack of opportunities for people who really want to make a difference. If she has a big heart she should be helping people and organizations in need and this dedication should lead her to better suited opportunities in due time.
I’m no help on the specifics, but I can say that every field needs people who want to help others. The more altruistic people in an industry there are, the better for everyone that industry will be. No work is nobler than any other, if it’s done by a person with integrity.
“A company named Alex and Ani.”
This company has been having financial and management issues, FYI.