Need help on completing your Ally Application? Here's some advice from our staff from around the country.
1. What's the best way to write for the following essay question - Career Story: Share with us a story of your best job-related experience.
You may want to start with the "Ws" - Where did you work, what were your job tasks, when did you work there, etc. Also, this job could be a paid or unpaid position. But beyond that, reviewers will also be looking for the following:
How did that experience help you grow professionally?
How did that experience help you grow personally?
What was missing from that experience that you wish was there?
What were your strengths and weaknesses at that job?
What one or two actions did your supervisor do that were most effective in getting the best performance from you?
Looking forward, how is this experience going to support your success in completing the Public Allies Apprenticeship?...in your overall career goals?
You have a limited amount of space, so don't feel that you have to answer every question. We'd rather have you "deep-dive" into two or three of those questions, so we can get a better understanding your attitude and vision for your work.
2. What's the best way to write for the following essay question - Civic Engagement Story: Share one example of how you practiced leadership in improving the community.
You may want to start with the "Ws" - Who was involved, what actions did you take, and what was accomplished. Also, "Community" could refer to a "geographic location" (i.e. your neighborhood, your school, etc.) and/or it could refer to a shared identity, affinity or interest (i.e. recently emigrated, volunteer church choir, etc) But beyond that, reviewers will want to know how you practiced the Public Allies Values:
Asset-Based Approach: Share examples of what strengths or assets of the community did you leverage to make the project of a success.
Continuous Learning: How did your definition of "community" change or evolve as a result of this activity?
Collaboration: What other partners did you engage in this project?
Integrity: How have you continued your participation in that project? If there were mistakes made, how did you resolve them?
3. What kind of references should I use for my application?
For that, we'll defer to our Staff Alumnus, Andrea Glenn, formerly of Public Allies Arizona.
4. So, seriously...what qualities do you look for in selecting Allies?
For that, we'll defer to Emily Gallagher, Program Manager of Public Allies Connecticut.
