When I graduated from the University of Oregon in June, I knew I was ending an important chapter in my life and beginning a new journey as a college graduate. I am excited to announce that I have committed to join the PULSE (Pittsburgh Urban Leadership Service Experience) program in Pittsburgh, PA for my first year out of college.
PULSE cultivates a community of young leaders to transform Pittsburgh. They invite recent, college graduates to partner with local nonprofits for a year of service and leadership. After discovering PULSE, I felt that the core values of the program aligned so strongly with my own, that I was eager to apply and start the journey as a fellow. I am drawn to the idea of celebrating the creative energy of young adults through service and community building. I chose the field of International Studies in college with the hopes of finding a career path that was meaningful and would shape the future for the better. It inspires me to know that there are so many others, participating in the PULSE program, who have similar ambitions. Ambitions to create relationships, build communities, and instill hope in one another.
I am looking forward to living in an intentional community and getting to know the landscape of Pittsburgh. My hope for the year is to develop my skills as a leader and really dive into the world of nonprofits. This will be my first long-term experience working with a non-profit organization and I believe it will be crucial to helping me develop my future career path. . What excites me about PULSE, is although it is only a 12-month commitment, it appears that the impacts last a lifetime. While it fosters individual growth by sending fellows to work with different organizations, it also creates a community living space in which you can share and learn with one another. I am also particularly impressed with the high percentage of fellows who choose to stay in Pittsburgh after their fellowship ends. I think this shows how meaningful the relationships formed through PULSE can be. PULSE works not only to give fellows tools that can be directly translated into the workforce, but also to help fellows develop a holistic picture of who they are and what their goals are for the future.
One of my first tasks as a PULSE fellow is to assemble a team of people who will support me in this work. I realize that I can not do this work alone, that I need others to join me in the process.
Would you please consider supporting me in this work? I am in the process of raising $2500 to cover expenses for this year of service and leadership. Your support will help impact the lives of Pittsburgh’s most vulnerable. Any amount, no matter how small or large will go a long way towards helping me meet this goal!
