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Shalin, Director of Programs at Minds Matter Southern California: Advize Career Interview
Shalin's inspiring career journey, starting with campus involvement at UC Berkeley and progressing through roles at Nonprofit Housing Association of Northern California and Youth Leadership Institute, culminated in a Director of Programs position at Minds Matter Southern California.
This impactful role involves overseeing all programming, fostering student success, and supporting a volunteer team. A typical day is dynamic, encompassing program evaluation, curriculum development, and direct program delivery.
The position demands strong communication, leadership, and adaptability, skills honed through navigating diverse communities and addressing evolving educational challenges.
Shalin's passion for working with students, stemming from personal experience, shines through, alongside a commitment to the values-driven nature of the nonprofit sector.
For aspiring professionals, Shalin emphasizes the importance of balance, self-advocacy, and community engagement, suggesting entry-level roles like program associate or coordinator as pathways to success.
Their journey highlights the rewards of seeking fulfilling work that aligns with personal values and makes a tangible difference in the lives of others.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Shalin Craig
Director of Programs
Minds Matter Southern California
University of California, Berkeley, 2015
N/A
Ethnic & Related Studies
Nonprofit
Education
Scholarship Recipient, Worked 20+ Hours in School, LGBTQ, First Generation College Student
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Career Path of a Director of Programs at Minds Matter Southern California
Shalin's career path began with "a couple of different roles" during college, including a three-year internship at their campus Multicultural Community Center and administrative support for student groups. After college, a progression through roles at Nonprofit Housing Association of Northern California and Youth Leadership Institute, starting as a program coordinator and advancing to program manager, ultimately led to their current position as Director of Programs at Minds Matter Southern California.
Responsibilities of a Director of Programs at Minds Matter Southern California
Shalin, Director of Programs at Minds Matter Southern California, oversees all programming, ensuring "quality for both students and volunteers" across multiple sites, supporting a volunteer-led executive leadership team through curriculum development, evaluation, and staff supervision. This includes directly assisting with program delivery when needed, highlighting a hands-on approach to leadership and a commitment to both student success and staff development.
A Day in the Life of a Director of Programs at Minds Matter Southern California
Shalin's role as Director of Programs at Minds Matter Southern California involves a highly variable schedule, often including evenings and weekends due to the organization's volunteer-driven model and Saturday programming; currently, a large portion of their work focuses on program evaluation, including survey development and gathering feedback from leadership, students, and alumni to ensure alignment with the organization's goals and impact.
Key Skills for a Director of Programs at Minds Matter Southern California
Shalin, a Director of Programs, emphasizes the critical importance of "communication and social skills" in their role, citing the need to interact with diverse groups—students, volunteers, families, and partners—adapting communication styles to build strong relationships. This necessitates strong leadership skills, including "facilitating meetings" and acting as a resource for the team.
Favorite Parts of Being a Director of Programs at Minds Matter Southern California
Shalin, Director of Programs at Minds Matter Southern California, most enjoys "working with the students," finding the interactions "a lot of fun" and fulfilling a personal passion stemming from their own transformative high school experience as a first-generation, low-income student. This role allows Shalin to leverage their resources to expand access and mentorship for students lacking similar support during their formative years.
Biggest Challenges of a Director of Programs at Minds Matter Southern California
Shalin's biggest challenge as Director of Programs is keeping up with the rapid changes in education, citing examples like the revised FAFSA and the Supreme Court's affirmative action decision, and adapting Minds Matter Southern California's programming to meet students' evolving needs in a post-pandemic world; this requires understanding the "stressful" environment impacting today's youth, a generation facing challenges unlike any before.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Nonprofit Industry As A Director Of Programs
Shalin, a Director of Programs at Minds Matter Southern California, finds the most fulfilling aspect of working in the nonprofit sector for eight years to be its "values-driven" nature and the resulting "emotionally invested" teams. This allows for authentic self-expression and meaningful work impacting "people's real lives," a key factor in their professional fulfillment.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Nonprofit Industry According To A Director Of Programs At Minds Matter Southern California
Shalin, a Director of Programs, identifies collaboration and a "solid grounding in community over the individual" as crucial for success in the nonprofit industry, emphasizing the importance of proactively seeking feedback and uplifting marginalized voices. Success is defined not by traditional hierarchies but by the positive community impact, requiring strong facilitation skills to navigate complex relationships and conflicts.
What a Director of Programs at Minds Matter wishes they had known before entering the education industry
Shalin, a Director of Programs, emphasizes the crucial need for "balance and boundaries" in a demanding role, warning against burnout despite strong emotional investment in the mission. The importance of seeking mentorship throughout one's career, not just early on, is also highlighted as invaluable for navigating challenges and celebrating successes.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Directors of Programs
Shalin, a Director of Programs, suggests entry-level roles like "program associate" or "program coordinator," citing their own experience starting with an "administrative and membership associate" position. The key is to seek roles blending administrative tasks with opportunities for broader programmatic involvement, advocating for additional responsibilities to gain diverse experience and "tangible, more programmatic skills."
Significant Career Lesson from a Director of Programs at Minds Matter Southern California
Shalin, Director of Programs at Minds Matter Southern California, learned that advocating for oneself, even if uncomfortable, is crucial for career success; the act of self-advocacy, when approached with positive intentions and preparation, ultimately benefits everyone involved and shouldn't be viewed as "selfish."
College Experiences That Helped a Director of Programs at Minds Matter Southern California Succeed
Shalin, a Director of Programs, credits their undergraduate experience at UC Berkeley with fostering career success by actively breaking "the Berkeley bubble." This involved engaging with the broader community through volunteer work and social interaction, providing valuable experience navigating diverse spaces and understanding community issues—skills highly relevant to their current nonprofit role.
How Identity Influenced A Director Of Programs's Career At Minds Matter Southern California
Shalin's career navigation has been significantly shaped by their upbringing and the "attitude of...taking what you can get" instilled by family; this contrasts with their current belief that a workplace "owes" more than just a paycheck—fulfillment and value are paramount. The search for organizations with diverse leadership and a healthy culture, reflecting "a mutual...relationship," now guides their career choices.
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