International job opportunites

The three international websites I chose were United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Save the Children, and Academy for Educational Development.  I chose these because they all have strong work in child advocacy, which is part of my career goal. 

With UNICEF, the position of Manager, Data, and Learning-Foundation Partnership is a job I am interested in.  It requires me to be go around the world and collect data that will be used in creating change for all children.  The qualifications is  a minimum of Bachelor's degree but they prefer an advance degree in international development or advocacy.  I would need a 5 years experience in grant writing and funding. 

With Save the Children, I am interested in a few positions.  One position is Chief of Party "Girls Education Challenge" Programme.  I would need 5 years experience of working in education.  I would need prior senior management level working with fragile or conflict affected states. Another career is Director of YouthSave.  They didn't have any information for qualifications for this position.  I am also interested in Manager of Child Development Grant programme.  This job requires 5 years of overseas experience and grant management.  At least one year experience in the non-profit sector.

Academy for Educational Development has a few interesting positions too.  I would love to be the deputy director of social and behavior change communications.  I would need a masters degree and 15+ years of experience in managing health and communications.       

Federal opportunities

There are many jobs on the national and federal levels that appeal to me and to my cause.  Education.com is a national organization that focuses the needs of young children and their developmental progress.  It must be a great place to work because there are not many jobs available.  They have one job senior director of marketing.  The skills and experience needed is strong business background and 5-7 years minimum in marketing. 

 Another federal job that I appeals to me is National Children's Advocacy Center.  Sadly, they don't have any jobs available to appeal to me.  I want to work as a trainer who would give conferences and train other early childhood advocates.  I think I would need a post-graduate degree in the field and experience of 10+ years.  Also I would need strong communication and auditory skills.

The third job I would love to do is Public Policy Associate with NAEYC, National Association for the Education of Young Children.  The requirements for this position is a B.A. with strong knowledge of database, technologically savvy, and can pay attention to details.  This would be a great place to work.  I wish I could pick up and move to Washington D.C.  

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

The three agencies I am interested in is Child Care Resources, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and North Carolina Department of Education.  I chose these agencies because  I think they hold the resources and the authority to bring about the change I am looking for.  Plus these agencies allow me to fight my cause of providing all children with healthier foods and accessibility for their families. They currently don't have any job openings that interest my cause but I would to be an educational nutritionists.  Also I want to be a food program director.  Those positions interest me the most.  In order to possess those jobs I would need at least a four year degree, 3-5 years experience in the educational field.  Also for the Food Program Director I would need some business experience.  Sadly, business isn't one my strengths but I am planning on taking some courses at the community college just to get some more information.    

Profile of a Volunteer

The person I elected to talk about was a volunteer who helped me at afterschool at the boys and girls center I attended.  His name was Thomas and everyday he would help with me my homework, he taught me how to operate a computer, and he helped me with my personal problems that most teenagers encounter.  He wasn't just good to me but he was good to every child and teen he met.  He was helpful to everyone and he showed everyone kindness. 

He positively impacted others by helping and tutoring me and other kids who wasn't even assigned to him. He always was consistent in giving his time and he volunteered to come in and spend time with us. 

The vital message I take away from this is that every little bit counts and makes a huge difference in someone's life.  His hour a day made a major difference in my life. 

Using Social Media to Get Connected

I have a lot of experience with social media.  I have used several social media outlets over the last ten years.  Facebook was created when I was in college so it's exciting to be a part of that phenomenon from the beginning.  I have posted things and pictures that I regret.  Now that I am trying to establish my career and be seen as a true professional I am always worried something I posted will come back to harm my efforts.  However, I do see social media tools are helpful in getting my cause across.  I have created pages and groups that help me gain supporters and gives me the forum to relay vital information.  Even now I still create pages to get my voice heard on certain issues.  I haven't made one yet for education because I am still learning and I want to narrow down my objective. 

What are your suggestions to narrowing down my efforts?  Also what are some other social media outlets can I use, besides Facebook, to get my cause out there?

Advocacy Messages

The first ad campaign is about letting a baby grow to 39 weeks.  This is from The National Child and Maternal Health  which is an educational program.  This is inspiring because it shows me the importance of a child's education and care can be done even before they are born.  It shows that goal for mothers is to keep the child healthy and in their stomachs for as long as possible.  Don't be so quick to try to induce or methods that will bring the child quicker. 

The second ad campaign is the one about starving children and Wal-Mart and other companies coming together to feed starving children.  This is inspiring and causes me to want to want to donate money and spread the word of child hunger to everyone.  The campaign is heart wrenching and makes me want to work harder to eliminate child hunger all over the world.

These messages are effective in creative action because they show the vulnerability of children and how children rely on adults and other for help.   

My own Capacity

An issue that fuels my passion for advocacy is children and families that deal with poverty and poor health issues that can be corrected.  I feel there are ways and policies that can eliminate poverty and other health related issues for children and help families provide essential services to their children.  The special skills I bring to this advocacy effort is my loud and persistent voice.  I can be very tenacious and this a skill that is needed, along with proper communication and knowledge of legislative which are skills I also hold.  I believe these skills will help me gain ground in getting law makers to pass policies and laws that will end child hunger and make services that will help the children have better health coverage and better quality of life.  I hope to grow in becoming a more effective advocate by networking and gaining resources.  I know I need to link with others who have the common goal of eliminate child poverty and poor health in children.