Are you a researcher or experienced professional with experience in government, public policy, or workforce development? Help mentor our Work First Fellows!

Work First is proud of the impressive work that our Work First Fellows do every year, from conducting independent research on employment barriers, the future of work, and public policy programs, to working on-the-ground in our offices with low-income and marginalized clients to provide job readiness training and case management services. We are always excited to connect with researchers, government officials, and industry leaders who are interested in offering mentorship and guidance to our Work First Fellows during their year of service to aid in their growth and professional development.

How you can help:

advise research projects

Work First is proud of the impressive research that Work First Fellows conduct each year. Every Fellowship class is asked to take a critical look at how workforce development policies and practices impact the clients that we serve. Fellows then present their innovative solutions through research papers and presentations. Work First welcomes any experienced researcher or policy expert to help mentor a Fellow through their research practice, as these young leaders break into the world of using research to find solutions to problems stemming from poverty.

Examples of the support you can provide:

• Recommend books and articles on public policy, poverty, and unemployment in the United States.

• Sit down with a Fellow in-person, over the phone, or via video to discuss their policy and research interests and connect them to appropriate resources.

• Review a Fellow’s research paper and provide guidance and recommendations for improvement.

Present on your area of expertise

Work First Fellows are always driven to learn more about the workforce development field, issues of public policy, and finding innovative solutions for systemic problems. They would love to hear from you about your professional experience in workforce development government, social services, public service, policy, or any related field. In the past, Work First Fellows have spoken to researchers, authors, think tanks, policymakers, government officials, and public interest lawyers.

Examples of the support you can provide:

• Speak to Fellows in-person, over the phone, or via video to discuss your field of work, professional journey, and/or area of expertise.

• Conduct a Q&A with Fellows to answer questions about your area of expertise.

• Provide your contact information to a Fellow interested in your field of work or professional journey.

• Offer guidance on how to pursue a career in your field.