Change can be challenging. I found this to be true as I started my position as an FAO Schwarz Fellow at The Clay Studio this summer. I had just graduated from Wellesley College the previous month. Like many fellows, this was my first formal experience working at a nonprofit. Throughout the beginning of my fellowship, I discovered three strategies that helped me make the most of this very new experience. These strategies were invaluable in helping me thrive during the first three months of my fellowship, and I hope they can be helpful to you either as a new fellow, or as you start your career!

Tip #1: Ask For Help

Starting a new position in a new environment is often overwhelming. This is especially true in the fast-paced world of nonprofits. In my position at The Clay Studio, I found myself constantly having to learn new skills, from the technical skills of processing clay projects from our workshops to the interpersonal skills of assisting a lead teacher in the classroom. This was not easy, and left me feeling overwhelmed at times. 

I quickly realized that I was surrounded by an incredibly supportive and caring group of coworkers and supervisors who were deeply invested in my success. If I ever felt shaky about my responsibilities, my work community was happy to guide me in the right direction. I learned to be proactive about my own learning. In practice, this looked like asking questions (even the “silly” ones), observing the way my more experienced coworkers did things, and asking for feedback on my performance. Developing strong bonds with mentors at my host organization helped me gain the skills and confidence I needed.

Tip #2: Practice Self Care

As a new fellow, I felt a lot of pressure to perform well. Not only was there the internal pressure of living up to the prestigious position I’d been accepted to, I also care deeply about the mission of my host organization to bring ceramic arts to marginalized communities in Philadelphia. This pressure sometimes transformed into anxiety and self-doubt. To keep myself grounded, I kept returning to a piece of advice I learned from a close friend in college: “We’re not machines.” 

In order to maintain a healthy career and sustainable work-life balance, I needed to learn how to give myself enough space to rest and recover from the demanding responsibilities of my fellowship position. I began to set important boundaries, such as turning off email notifications outside of work hours and being more vigilant about taking a full lunch break. I also worked on my out-of-work routines, such as getting enough sleep and cooking myself a delicious lunch in order to set myself up for success the next day. My self care practices help me feel more regulated and energized when I’m at work, and more relaxed when I’m not at work.

Tip #3: Chase Your Passions

One of the most uniquely exciting (and challenging!) aspects of the fellowship is the amount of freedom fellows have in co-creating their work and following our interests within the scope of our host organization’s mission. Fellows are selected for, among other qualities, our passion for social change. I feel that I do the most valuable work when I let those passions drive me. 

My special project, which is focused on integrating socio-emotional learning into the Claymobile’s teaching practices, was particularly open-ended in the first few months of my fellowship. Although the broad scope of my project felt difficult to me at times, my mentors reminded me that the power of choosing a direction of focus was in my hands. I began to feel empowered to follow topics that are close to my heart, such as abolitionist pedagogy and joy-centered teaching. I was able to accomplish personal goals while also helping promote the mission of The Clay Studio. 

I encourage all recent graduates who are entering the workforce to be proactive in following their passions and finding what most inspires them about their work, social impact or otherwise.