Quick Recap
The meeting focused on a panel discussion about Post-Grad Year of Service programs, featuring representatives from City Year and Teach for America. George Mitsios, the Career Coach for the Public Sector, moderated the panel and introduced the speakers, who shared their experiences and insights about these programs. The panelists discussed how they found out about the programs, the skills they developed during their service, and the impact of these experiences on their perspectives and careers. They also described typical day-to-day activities in their roles and provided advice for students considering these programs. The panelists emphasized the value of these experiences for personal and professional development, highlighting how they can make students more competitive for graduate programs and careers.
Panelists
Caleigh Gilfillan – National Recruiter for City Year
Weston Lindner – City Year participant, future Law Student at Duke University
Kamille Byrd – Director of National Recruitment for Teach for America, previous Teach for America participant
Mentorship and Leadership Insights
Weston and Kamille shared their impactful experiences as educators, particularly working with 7th graders. Weston highlighted the importance of mentorship and conversations with students, while Kamille emphasized the transformative power of being named Teacher of the Year during the COVID-19 pandemic, which shifted her focus from recognition to responsibility. Both speakers stressed the value of consistent, relational leadership and advocacy for students, underscoring the need for educators to show up for students, even in challenging circumstances.
Development Benefits
Caleigh and Weston discussed the benefits and skills gained from participating in City Year, a leadership development program that focuses on assisting students in schools. They highlighted the importance of patience, organizational skills, and interpersonal communication, as well as the opportunity to develop leadership skills that can be applied in various future careers. Weston emphasized the value of working in challenging environments to build resilience and empathy, which can be beneficial in both personal and professional settings. Kamille discussed the transferable skills gained from teaching, including relationship building, time management, data-informed decision-making, and storytelling. She emphasized the importance of storytelling for personal branding and networking.
Gap Year or Strategic Decision?
The panelists discussed their experiences with City Year and Teach for America, emphasizing how these programs served as strategic career decisions rather than solely for a gap year. Weston shared that his City Year experience led to a law school opportunity, highlighting how these organizations’ members are viewed favorably by prestigious institutions like Yale Law School when reporting on incoming class achievements. Kamille described how Teach for America provided real-world experience that shifted her career path from HR to student-focused roles in Learning and Development.
Daily Life in the Program
The panelists discussed their experiences with City Year and Teach for America, providing detailed insights into the daily routines, responsibilities, and challenges of each program. Caleigh and Weston described the demanding but rewarding schedule of City Year, emphasizing long hours, early starts, and a focus on academic support and chronic absenteeism. City Year emphasized their ability to be able to have good work-life balance during the program. Kamille highlighted the varied schedule of Teach for America, noting differences between elementary and secondary teaching roles, as well as opportunities for extracurricular involvement and leadership positions. Both programs were portrayed as valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth, with the panelists encouraging attendees to engage with recruiters and make the most of their experiences.
Connect with the Organizations!
Upcoming events you can connect with recruiters of these programs at:
City Year
Monday, February 23rd at the UF Brown Center for Leadership & Service’s Volunteer & Networking Fair
Career Connections Center and Brown Center for Leadership & Service Resources
Quinncia – AI-powered resume review, mock interview, and LinkedIn review platform available free to UF students
Gators for Good Network – connects the Gator Nation with community partners and opportunities for community engagement and social impact. You can use the platform to find service, philanthropy, and experiential learning activities that enrich local, state, national, and global communities while fostering meaningful connections.
