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Fellowship... Experience... Change...

Prospective Fellows

Fellowship applications are available now. Click here for details about the application process. Click here to apply.

Fellowship Description

NUPIP Fellows are top recent graduates from Northwestern University placed at a Chicago-area nonprofit or civic organization for full-time work over a period of 10-12 months. Candidates for NUPIP Fellowships go through a rigorous screening process, which includes multiple interviews with Northwestern faculty, staff and alumni, and culminates with host organization interviews. NUPIP supports weekly professional development and educational seminars, a professional mentor program, and periodic networking activities.

Job Placement

During their senior year, students apply to NUPIP and finalists are chosen. Finalists are then paired with organizations that match their interests and experience. After interviews have been completed, organizations extend job offers to the finalists they are interested in. If the finalist accepts, they become a Fellow and are entitled to all of the benefits of the Public Interest Program. To learn about the kind of work that our current fellows are doing, visit the Fellows section of our website.

Weekly Seminars

Throughout the year, Fellows are invited to attend and participate in weekly seminars. These seminars explore a variety of topics relating to local public interest and professional development themes. Seminars bring together Public Interest Program Fellows from numerous universities, including Princeton, Stanford, Harvard, the University of Chicago, and Northwestern. Seminars include site visits to particpating host organizations, and talks from dynamic local and national leaders.

Mentorship

Fellows are each assigned two mentors: a recent NUPIP alumnus, or "Alum Chum" and a more experienced mentor who is well-established in the public interest sphere. The mentorship experience provides the opportunity for Fellows to receive individual support and professional contacts, and to form a relationship with a compatible alumnus.

Why students apply to the Public Interest Program:

• NUPIP Fellows get the chance to explore a public interest field and to take on substantive, meaningful work right after graduation
• NUPIP Fellows contribute to positive social change through their work
• NUPIP Fellows often use their year-long fellowship to launch a career in public interest work or head on to law school, medical school, or further education
• NUPIP Fellows participate in weekly professional development seminars on a wide-range of issues
• NUPIP Fellows are matched with a professional alumni mentor for the duration of the fellowship
• NUPIP Fellows join a community of students and alumni engaged in strengthening communities

Applicant Responsibilities:

• Complete and submit all application materials by application deadline
• If invited, attend interview conducted by current/past NUPIP Fellows, NU alumni or NU staff
• Arrange and complete host organization interview(s)
• Respond in a timely manner to all communication from NUPIP Staff and Host Organizations
• Immediately notify NUPIP in case of withdrawal from the program at any time during the application or placement process

Fellow Responsibilities:

• Confirm participation in NUPIP by signing a Fellowship Agreement
• Attend NUPIP Fellows Reception and Orientation, both held in May or early June
• Arrange transportation and housing during fellowship year
• Attend NUPIP seminars and meetings
• Submit mid-year and year-end evaluation forms

Applications are available now. Click here for details about the application process. Click here to apply.

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