K to the Windy City 2018 Participant

K to the Windy City 2018

Careers in Social Justice and Environmental Justice

June 13-15, 2018

Deadline for applications extended to Sunday, April 29, 5pm.

Background:  An integral component of exploring potential careers is engaging with individuals who work in careers of interest and understanding the culture of their industries.

Program: Kalamazoo College is offering a career trek to Chicago for sophomores and juniors who are interested in exploring careers related to law, nonprofit administration and/or sustainability. 15 students (5 in each track) will travel to Chicago and participate in site visits, tours, panel and networking events, as well as casual conversations with K alumni working in a variety of nonprofit or corporate settings and/or practicing different types of law. Students will gain insight into the complexities of these working environments and careers, develop skills in self-presentation and business etiquette, and cultivate professional relationships in the Chicago area.

Many law and nonprofit visits will include sites and alumni from last year's trek (see http://www.kzoo.edu/news/ktowindycity) with some new sites added. The new sustainability track will include visits to sites such as: the Sweet Water Foundation, Gotham Greens, Plant Chicago, Natural Resources Defense Council, the Delta Institute and others, as well as visits with alumni and other professionals who work in sustainability.

The program will arrange and pay for travel from campus to/from Chicago, lodging and transportation in/around Chicago, as well as for dinners. Students will cover their own breakfasts, lunches, and other costs.

K to the Windy City is generously funded by several alumni, and incorporates the time and talents of K alumni and their professional networks working in law, nonprofits and sustainability in the Chicago area.

Expectations: At all times, students should behave as positive representatives of Kalamazoo College and role models in helping to ensure that the K to the Windy City experience will be replicated in the future. Participants will prepare, reflect and give back. Pre-program, students will invest in their experience by conducting research around the alumni, their organizations, and the Chicago community. During the program, students will keep a log of their experiences. Post-program, students will synthesize and share what they learned with the K community in group presentations, classroom discussions, peer-to-peer mentoring, development and implementation of events with alumni and other professionals, as well as other ideas of their own. Participants will be expected to track a minimum of 10 hours on these activities following the K to the Windy City Trek. Individually, students will complete detailed structured reflections about how the trip has impacted them – professionally and personally – and how it has shaped their vision for the years ahead.

Participants must attend preparatory meetings during Common Time in May and June, with the first meeting on Wednesday, May 4, during Common Time.

Application Instructions 

Click Apply and upload a cover letter and résumé (following guidelines below).

The cover letter should be addressed to the K to the Windy Selection Committee. Address the following questions in your letter connecting your answers to specific aspects of the K to the Windy City Trek.

1.     A brief introduction: who you are and why you should be selected for K to the Windy City and which of the three areas you are interested in (law, nonprofits, sustainability)

2.     A middle section that addresses the following questions:

·         What do you hope to gain from K to the Windy City?

·         What experiences have you had to date that have prepared you to be an engaged participant in this experience?

·         What are your career plans and how might they be shaped by this experience?

3.     A closing that reconfirms your interest and includes the name of at least one Kalamazoo College professor who would confirm the merits of your candidacy.

The one-page résumé should include relevant information about your education, work and volunteer experiences, activities, skills, and awards. Résumés and cover letters will be reviewed for accuracy, formatting, and content—just as in the “real world,” a typo, sloppy formatting, or poor writing may remove your materials from consideration. You are strongly encouraged to have several others review your materials before submission.

As part of the application process, students are strongly encouraged to create an account in Wisr: the Kalamazoo College Career Mentoring Network (https://kzoo.wisr.io/signup/) and request a call with an alumnus/a to demonstrate their interest in meeting and networking with alumni.

For more information on how to format and write cover letters and résumés (and to see examples), make an appointment with a career coach through Handshake, visit the CCPD during drop-in hours, and/or check out the resources at http://reason.kzoo.edu/ccd/students/cover_letters/.  

Email Valerie Miller at vmiller@kzoo.edu with any questions.