Editorial objective:1- give diverse jobseekers sound information on job opportunities and how to successfully navigate the job search process,2- invite “employers of choice” to share success secrets and valuable information on where the jobs are.
Issue link: http://diversityemployers.epubxp.com/i/224970
Diversity & Inclusion Scholarships Abound! By Jennifer Rutt D id you know that every year there are thousands and thousands AND THOUSANDS of scholarship dollars available specifcally for diverse students? Many different types of groups sponsor the scholarships. Some are employers who are interested in eventually hiring diverse college talent, some are non-profts dedicated to the educational success of diverse individuals, and others are everywhere in between. You can usually fnd scholarships based on your major or feld of study. How do you stand out when competing for scholarship dollars? There are several important things to keep in mind when creating your application. Follow the instructions! This seems logical; we all heard it in grade school. If you don't follow the instructions (whether that means not completing the application or neglecting to submit additional materials), you defnitely will not be awarded the scholarship. Be professional. This is a formal process. Do not shorten your words. Write as if it is being presented to a Professor or a Dean. No slang. No shortcuts. DO NOT USE ALL CAPS. This probably falls into the category of "being professional," but it is worth highlighting. On the other hand, • • • • • • • • • • • don't neglect capital letters altogether. Use proper grammar, punctuation, and capitalization. Include the things that make you special and recipient-worthy. As my dad always said, "If you don't toot your own horn, you can't play in the band." Highlight your "above and beyond" activities. Do you volunteer? Do you belong to student groups? Have you held any offces? Do you participate in some interesting projects? Have you had an internship? Do you work while you are in school? Express your goals and aspirations. Particularly if there is an essay portion of the scholarship application. What makes you unique is what will draw attention to your application. What do you plan to do in your life that will make a difference if the people awarding the scholarship choose to invest in you? Is the scholarship related to a special category? How does your application represent your inclusion in that category? For example, if it is for a computer science student, what comp sci classes have you taken? What relevant classes do you plan to take? How do you see your career path relating to computer science? Have you participated in a Hackathon? Proofread. Proofread again. Have a friend proofread. Make sure you include all the 24 Diversity Employers | DiversityEmployers.com | First Semester December 2013 • materials requested. Do you need to provide a transcript? A letter of recommendation? Figure out the materials you need early so you are not scrambling right at the last minute. Don't be late! Scholarships all have different deadlines. If you plan on applying to multiple scholarships, make yourself a schedule of deadline dates. How do you decide which scholarships are "worth the efort"? There are a few major differences you'll notice between different scholarships. First, the amount of money that is awarded. Second, the amount of time and effort it takes to complete the application. You may decide that a very intensive application process is worth the time you invest if the dollar amount awarded would make a big difference to your fnances. Create a plan for yourself. Decide which scholarships you will apply to, what you'll need to do for the application, and make note of the deadlines. Then execute your plan. It takes work to fnd the scholarships that you are qualifed for. The good news is, once you create your stellar essay and your points of differentiation from other scholarship applicants, you can reuse that information over and over in each application. If you are awarded even one scholarship, it can be worth your time!