Applications for the 2013-2015 Fellows will open in January 2013.
Who should apply?
The Fellows Program attracts talented, committed people with a background in early childhood, leadership skills, an understanding of the role of public policy and systems in shaping the life experiences of children, and a commitment to working to improve early childhood care and education for all Illinois children.
Specific qualifications include:
- At least five years of professional experience, at least two of which must be in early childhood. Please note that, while no hard and fast rule will be applied, we are looking for people who are relatively early in their careers, with between five and ten years of experience.
- Interest in public policy, advocacy, or systems, and a basic grasp of how they can be used to benefit young children and their families.
- Demonstrated leadership talent.
- Graduate degree preferred.
- People of color strongly encouraged to apply.
What is the timeline for application and selection?
The selection process involves the following steps:
- The candidate applies online, uploads his/her resume and letters of recommendation.
- A Selection Panel comprising experts in early childhood policy and systems, Fellows, and nonprofit consultants reviews the application, interviews the candidates, and selects the finalists.
- Finalists meet with potential host organization mentors, after which,
- Finalists (both Fellows and hosts) rank their preferences. Project staff make the matches that most closely reflect those preferences.
- Fellows and placements will be announced in May 2013 and begin on July 1, 2013.
What’s involved in the application?
The following items make up the application:
Resume
You will upload your resume to our website as part of completing the Application Form. Your resume tells us a lot about you, including your professional and educational experience. Please be sure it is up to date.
Letters of recommendation
We want to learn more about you by understanding what others think of you and your leadership potential in the field of early childhood policy and systems. Please identify two people who are knowledgeable about you, your work, and your interest in early childhood. Ask both of your references to write a letter to the Fellows Program addressing the following questions:
- How do they know you and how long have they known you?
- Why do they think you would be a great choice to be an Illinois Early Childhood Fellow?
- What about you – your work experiences, skills, abilities, attitudes, values, self-awareness – do they believe makes you a leader?
- What would they suggest as ways the Fellowship could best support your development?
- What is most important for us to know about you as we consider your application to become a Fellow?
- Any other comments they want to include.
Because we must have signatures, please scan the signed letters and upload them on this site; they are due at the same time as the application.
The application form will become available in January 2013.
