.:Resource Guides:Fellowships-Training and Professional Development.
Fellowships
Training and Professional Development
"We learned how to develop strategies to maintain our passion for a particular issue in the face of negative responses from other constituencies. We even had etiquette training and learned how to network professionally."
Although much can be learned from jumping into an entry-level nonprofit job, fellowship programs are known for their commitment to the professional development of individual fellows and have designed accelerated training programs as part of this commitment. Key elements of the
training might include:
Academic seminars to develop frameworks and apply theory
In-depth research and analysis of a particular issue area
Attendance at professional conferences and meetings
Leadership development
Public relations, in which current fellows are spokespersons for the program and are involved in the outreach and recruitment process for the next group of Fellows
Mentoring
Fellowships are designed to provide access to well-established nonprofit professionals who have a real interest in the fellow's professional growth and development. Mentors often are the "movers and shakers" of the field who are typically very busy and normally very difficult to
meet, especially for those who are just starting out.
