General Information
Elrod Fellowships are not just about "jobs." The Elrod Fellowship is a partnership between the fellow, alumni coordinators and Shepherd Program staff. The experience is an opportunity to continue the education begun at Washington and Lee by providing fellows with an alumni mentor and educational seminar series. We seek to create a community among Elrod Fellows, partner organizations, alumni mentors and other members of The Alumni Network (TAN).
Why Students Participate
- To explore a field in the public interest sector
- To contribute to systemic change in a community
- To network in Baltimore, Houston or Washington, D.C.
- To launch a career in public interest work
- To participate in a challenging, hands-on experience
The Particulars
- All Washington and Lee seniors and recent graduates are eligible to apply to the Elrod Fellowship program.
- Elrod Fellowships usually run for 10 to 12 months following graduation and can be extended for an additional year. The partner organization provides a fellow's salary and health benefits.
- Fellows are responsible for their own housing arrangements.
- Positions are available in Baltimore, Houston and Washington, D.C.
- Fellows are assigned a local mentor - a W&L alumnus who serves as an advisor, advocate and friend.
- Alumni often host "welcome" and "farewell" gatherings for fellows.
- Fellows and alumni meet regularly with other TAN affiliates to explore issues relevant to professional life and the host city. Programs include a speaker series, issues seminars and/or site visits.
Job Procurement
- Interested students prepare a general application to the Elrod Fellowship Program and are interviewed by a committee of alumni and Washington and Lee staff.
- Once accepted to the program, fellows communicate with the alumni coordinator in the city that interests them to cultivate employment opportunities.
- Shepherd Program staff will submit a fellow's application packet to as many as three partner organizations, including a cover letter tailored to specific organizations.
- While fellows are going through the Elrod Fellowship process, they should actively pursue employment outside of the fellowship program as the program cannot guarantee employment.
- An additional resource for public service sector jobs is www.idealist.org.
