Mick Miles


Career development 1w
Would you accept a job that pays 30% more if it required you to be in the office five days a week instead of working remotely? What would ultimately drive your decision?
15   

  • David Lane

    4h

    Depends but unlikely. I spend my day talking to machines in remote locations, people in other states, and there is no point to coming to an office... where I have to fight for a seat, and set up my office to every day to be able to do what I can do now without having to haul gear.  more

  • Fay Martinez

    1d

    I probably would have to go with yes because that is a nice raise, and I cannot reasonably afford to decline such an offer, but it would depend a bit... on how far the job is.  more

Load more...

Anna Warden


Career development 19h

Should employers disclose salary ranges in every job posting, or is there a valid reason to negotiate privately?

  • Sheri L

    4h

    Rather negotiate salary, but a general expected range lets me know if it is even worth my time.

    1

  • David Lane

    4h

    Since it is becoming law in every state, the answer is yes, every time, every posting, and not some range that is the moon and stars. If it looks like... a new car price model, they will lowball. But you should also do your research. Know your value and the value of the job they are hiring for and never let the employer play the “bonus and stock options and healthcare” are part of the total package. They are gravy that can all go away on day one. Price on the barrel head. Nothing less.  more

Jenson Cole


Career development 1d

If your employer banned remote work tomorrow but increased everyone's salary by 15%, would you stay or leave?

  • David Lane

    4h

    At this point leave. 15% is nothing for the commute, the stress, and the nonsense of having to be “in an office” to conduct meetings with other... offices by VTC that I can do from my basement now.  more

  • Jonathan Bayer

    1d

    Leave. 15% would not begin to cover the cost of my having to travel to get to the nearest office

    1

Career development

 2d

What Do You Do When a Potential Employer Asks for a Writing Sample?


Depending on the job you're applying for, a writing sample might be a requirement of the applicant screening process. Employers, for many professional jobs, place a high value on writing skills when screening applicants.

That's especially the case when writing is a component of the job. In order to ensure candidates have the skills they need, it is not uncommon for hiring managers to request a... writing sample in addition to a resume or cover letter when they conduct their initial review of candidates. Or, you may be asked to bring a writing sample to a job interview.

Here's information regarding when companies request writing samples and how to submit them. You'll also find tips about choosing a writing sample as well as about how to write one.

When Do Employers Request a Writing Sample?

A writing sample is a common requirement for writing-intensive jobs in journalism, content development, publishing, public relations, communications, research, and consulting. However, you may be asked to provide a writing sample, or other examples of your work, for other types of positions.

For example, if you are applying for a position as an executive assistant to the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, and they will need you to write some of their correspondence, your writing skills are key.

Employer requirements vary as to what is asked for, and when during the application process applicants are asked to submit their sample. So remember, what you will be asked for depends entirely on the job and the company.

Choosing a Writing Sample

The most important consideration when choosing a writing sample should be quality. Make sure the writing is your very best and have it reviewed for content, spelling, and grammar before submitting; carefully proofread your sample.

If you don't have professional writing experience, you may have other options. For example, an academic paper that was well-received by a faculty member will suffice as a sample if you're applying for a job at a university.

A published article, either in print or online, is another good option. If you have a blog, feel free to submit your best blog post. If you've written posts on LinkedIn with content that relates to the job, go ahead and use that. If you're lucky enough to have published articles, especially for media jobs, that will bolster your credentials as a candidate.

Match the Sample With the Job

Another important factor is relevance. Whenever possible, you should always match the type of writing in your sample to the kind of writing required in your target job.

For example, a journalistically styled piece (or a press release that tells a story) is most suitable for media-related jobs, while an academic paper works best for a research job.

Write a Sample for the Job

Don't be intimidated if you don't have a writing sample to submit. It's always an option to compose a piece especially geared towards a particular position.

In fact, the hiring manager might appreciate your initiative. Just make sure the sample reflects your strongest writing.

Follow the Employer's Directions

Carefully follow any guidelines that your prospective employer provides regarding length or format.

If you're providing an academic sample, you can extract a segment from a longer paper if your sample is self-contained and understandable on its own. If you do this, then label your excerpt something like, "Introduction and Conclusion from a 30-page Thesis entitled The Evolution of Gender Roles in Post Industrial America."

Generally, directions for how to submit a writing sample are included in the job posting or provided by the employer. You may be asked either to email your writing sample with your resume and cover letter or to upload it to an online portal along with your other application materials.

Bring a Writing Sample to an Interview

If you're asked to bring a writing sample to an interview, print several copies. This way, you'll have enough for whomever you might meet with. The easiest way to bring them is in a portfolio along with extra copies of your resume and a list of references. If the interview is remote, email your writing sample to the hiring manager in advance.

When applying for jobs where writing is involved, be proactive. Even if an employer hasn't requested a sample, you can bring one to the interview or post samples on their website. more

  • David Lane

    1
    1d

    Is it a writing sample that would take me half an hour to generate, or one where I could pull from my existing body of work, or do they want something... that will take me hours of research and require even more hours to compile and create? The first is acceptable, the second, for an interview, is not. This constant requirement to provide several days' worth of unique content to get a job where I can be fired within the first 30 days without cause is not even worth pursuing. That's what the 30 days are for.  more

  • Francisca Ikenze

    2d

    I will write it

Nancy Stones


Career development 2d

If you could choose only one, would you rather have a 20% salary increase or a guaranteed four-day workweek with the same workload? What makes that option more valuable to you?

  • Bryn Bren Stringer

    1d

    Why choose?
    One is working the same number of hours per week!
    I once worked in a company where we had a choice, one didn't have to gamble .
    Plus,... we had profit-sharing.
    ---
    Only an employer will profit financially from such an unfair offer.      more

  • General Pass

    1d

    I’m hiring

    1
Load more...

Nancy Stones


Career development 5d

If you found out a coworker with the same responsibilities was earning 25% more than you, would you ask for a raise immediately or start looking for a new job? Why?
3   

  • Francisca Ikenze

    2d

    I will like to know the reasons behind it and try to help myself

  • Mary Lin

    3d

    Not my pay grade, not my wheelhouse, not my circus, not my monkeys, not my problem. If I like the job and pay I stay. Otherwise I go.

Load more...

Tom Lockridge


Career development 7mo
Yesterday during an important meeting with some clients, I accidentally broke a glass and ended up spilling champagne on a couple of people.
First, the director practically burned a hole through me with his stare and now our accounting department wants to deduct the cost of the glass from my salary. And honestly, it seems like they’re planning to fire me.
But seriously, can someone really lose... his job over such a small thing? It could happen to anyone, right?

 more
2   

  • Phindile Mahlangu

    5mo

    Sorry that will be a feeling just be patient with them.

  • Sarah Toku

    6mo

    This is unfair. It's a mistake not intentionally

Load more...

Pete Manning


Career development 3d

If AI could automate 70% of your current job, would you embrace it as a productivity boost or worry about your long-term career prospects?

  • Florence Nakayiwa

    2d

    Even with AI you must know what needs to be done- it is just an efficiency tool

  • Florence Nakayiwa

    2d

    Even with AI you must know what needs to be done- it is just an efficieny tool

Load more...

Mudassir Hussain
Career development 4d
Can AI rule in Future? What your opinion? And how we can save our Jobs?
1   

  • Claire Bateman

    4d

    Myth. Businesses continue to seek simple, cheap solutions to complex problems. AI is a tool and when used properly, a great tool. But like many... technologies that have come before it like the personal computer. smart phone, and others, people's jobs will change but not be eliminated in spite of what you may see in the market. more

  • Jefferson Chiringa

    4d

    I am a qualified Water driller, with ample experience having drilled many successful boreholes in all the regions in Kenya and beyond. What can we do... if we hands and work together. more

Load more...

Career development

 4d

Interview Advice for School and College Leavers


Going to a job interview can feel daunting, but it is a great opportunity to discuss your skills and why you would be the best fit for this position with the employer face-to-face. Preparing effectively for an interview will help you feel more confident and comfortable talking to the employer. It will help you better state your points clearly.

Before the interview:

Research the Company -... Learn as much as you can about the company you are applying to. This will help you understand what the company does and explore its values. You will be prepared if you are asked about your knowledge of the company, and this will show that you are well-prepared and invested in the interview.

Arrive on time - Arriving 5 - 10 minutes early for your interview will show you are eager and punctual.

Practice answers to common questions - Research common interview questions for your selected role and think of some well-thought-out answers. This will expose you to the types of questions you might be asked in your interview. Practice talking to a friend or family member and answering the questions as if you are in the interview.

Dress smartly - Whilst this might seem obvious, dressing smartly, even if the company dress code is casual, will make you stand out as professional and instantly set a positive tone.

These tips will help you prepare for your interview effectively, so you can answer any questions the employer asks with confidence. Remember that an interview is just an opportunity to tell the employer more about yourself and to emphasise how you are the best fit for that role; don't think of it as an exam.

Some interview sessions may involve you attending an assessment centre or presenting to the employer. Some assessment days may involve you completing tasks set by the employer to assess your transferable skills (e.g. how you communicate with people, teamwork skills, dealing with problems) - these are skills which the employer will be looking for. The employer will usually send you an email with details about the assessment day, including how long the day will last and what types of tasks you may be completing. You can also have hybrid days where you complete tasks and also attend an interview.

On the day of the interview:

Ensure that before you set off for the interview, you check you have all the documents you may need to bring (e.g. national insurance number, birth certificate, driving licence). If they are not listed on the email, and you are unsure, you could contact the company and ask if they would require any documents for the interview; however, if they need to see these documents, they would usually ask you.

If your interview is online, ensure that you are logged on to your computer and check your internet connection is stable well before your interview starts. If you are having trouble, ensure that you contact the employer well before your interview is scheduled to start.

If you are ready to start your interview 5-10 minutes before it is scheduled to start, it will instantly create a good impression with the employer and show you are punctual, which is one of the transferable skills that employers are often looking out for.

The interview and the STAR method:

The best way to get a lot of your points across clearly and concisely is by using the STAR method.

Situation - Describe the situation that you had to deal with.

Task - The task that you had to do to deal with the situation.

Action - What you did to complete the task.

Result - What happened after you completed your action, the outcome of this and what you learned.

You can use this method to showcase your transferable skills, and use real-life examples to show the employer how you use your skills in real-life situations. You can research examples of interview questions and use the STAR method to answer them effectively. You can include examples of your school life if you are struggling to think of examples. For example, if you are asked about times you have worked as part of a team, you could talk about being part of a sports team or being part of an extracurricular club.

If you can, try to think of a question to ask the interviewer if they ask if you have any questions for them. This shows that you are active and willing to learn more about the company.

Best of luck with your interviews! more
1   

Anonymous member


Career development 6d
Have you ever stayed in a job you disliked simply because the market felt too risky to leave? At what point do you decide it's time to move on?
2   

  • prasad r

    4d

    it's normal , i think. many people forced to hold on to their job they dislike. When they get a new offer they feel a relief and move

  • kedi john

    5d

    I think the good approach is continuing earning from the job while searching for that of ur passion rather than quitting to sit back at home jobless

    1
Load more...

Career development

 4d

Keke Palmer Brings KeyTV And Industry Expertise To UCLA Film And Theater Students


KeyTV, Palmer's digital media network, aims to amplify underrepresented voices and prepare students for careers in creator-driven media through the partnership with UCLA.

Class is in session with Keke Palmer.

The actor, entrepreneur, and entertainment powerhouse is adding another title to her impressive résumé, joining the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Theater, Film and... Television as an artist in residence, according to a news release. Through a five-year partnership, Palmer will bring her expertise to campus for mentorship opportunities and quarterly workshops on pitching, distribution strategy, business ownership, career sustainability, and personal brand development.

Inside Keke Palmer's New UCLA Residency

The program, titled "From Blocking to Broadcast," launches during the 2026-27 academic year and will connect students with real-world entertainment industry experience in content packaging, marketing, and digital audience engagement, the news release noted. The initiative is designed to help amplify underrepresented voices while allowing students to create original content for Palmer's digital media network, KeyTV.

"UCLA TFT is a place where artists learn to be in practice, to experience trial and error, to take projects off the page," Palmer said, per the release. "That is also the mission of KeyTV. We know that education is key to democratizing opportunities, and I am eager to both learn from and support UCLA TFT students."

As part of the partnership, students will develop and produce original multimedia projects, working alongside faculty while receiving mentorship from Palmer. KeyTV will distribute at least three projects each year, pending quality review.

Students may produce a range of projects -- including video podcasts, television pilots, music videos, and musical or dance theater productions -- guided by faculty expertise, academic goals, and Palmer's creative background, per the release.

The initiative also aims to prepare students for an evolving media landscape, helping them navigate emerging technologies such as generative AI while building careers in creator-driven media.

"It is no small feat to pursue higher education, especially at a prestigious institution. I look forward to listening, encouraging, and offering them more than one chance to succeed," Palmer added.

KeyTV's Impact On The Creator Economy

Palmer launched KeyTV in 2022 as a digital media platform dedicated to content created by BIPOC storytellers, according to the news release. The company has produced nearly 30 original projects and recently introduced KeyTV Days at Special Academy, a six-week program designed to support aspiring creatives from underrepresented communities.

In announcing the partnership, university leaders praised Palmer's commitment to mentorship and collaboration, noting that her career reflects a belief in creating opportunities for others while helping emerging artists develop their unique voices.

"Diverse voices matter more than ever," said Dean Celine Parreñas Shimizu. "People of color and the underrepresented have always made counter cinemas and birthed social movements grounded in cinema as technology of resistance. Bringing an artist of Keke's caliber into the spaces where our students are learning to develop their stories will inspire them to see and believe what is possible when you are willing to work hard and are committed to educating and uplifting one another."

The post Keke Palmer Brings KeyTV And Industry Expertise To UCLA Film And Theater Students appeared first on AfroTech.

The post Keke Palmer Brings KeyTV And Industry Expertise To UCLA Film And Theater Students appeared first on AfroTech. more

Career development

 4d

My classmates laughed at me for being a garbage collector's son -- Then I made them regret it


My classmates made fun of me because I'm the son of a garbage collector -- but at graduation, I only said one sentence, and the whole gym went dead silent and started crying.

I'm Daniel (18M), and my life has always smelled like diesel, bleach, and old food rotting in plastic bags.

My mom didn't grow up wanting to grab trash cans at 4 a.m.

She wanted to be a nurse.

She was in nursing school,... married, with a little apartment and a husband who worked construction.

Then one day, his harness failed.

The fall killed him before the ambulance even got there.

After that, we were constantly battling hospital bills, the funeral costs, and everything she owed for school.

Overnight, she went from "future nurse" to "widow with no degree and a kid."

Nobody was lining up to hire her.

The city sanitation department didn't care about degrees or gaps on a résumé.

They cared if you'd show up before sunrise and keep showing up.

So she put on a reflective vest, climbed onto the back of a truck, and became "the trash lady."

Which made me "trash lady's kid." That name stuck.

In elementary school, kids would wrinkle their noses when I sat down.

"You smell like the garbage truck," they'd say.

"Careful, he bites."

By middle school, it was routine.

If I walked by, people would pinch their noses in slow motion.

If we did group work, I'd be the last pick, the spare chair.

I learned the layout of every school hallway because I was always looking for places to eat alone.

My favorite spot ended up being behind the vending machines by the old auditorium.

Quiet. Dusty. Safe.

At home, though, I was a different person.

"How was school, mi amor?" Mom would ask, peeling off rubber gloves, fingers red and swollen.

I'd kick my shoes off and lean on the counter.

"It was good," I'd say. "We're doing a project. I sat with some friends. Teacher says I'm doing great."

She'd light up.

"Of course. You're the smartest boy in the world."

I couldn't tell her that some days I didn't say 10 words out loud at school.

That I ate lunch alone.

That when her truck turned down our street while kids were around, I pretended not to see her wave.

She already carried my dad's death, the debt, the double shifts.

I wasn't going to add "My kid is miserable" to her pile.

So I made one promise to myself: If she was going to break her body for me, I was going to make it worth it.

Education became my escape plan.

We didn't have money for tutors, prep classes, or fancy programs.

What I had was a library card, a beat-up laptop Mom bought with recycled can money, and a lot of stubbornness.

I'd camp in the library until closing.

Algebra, physics, whatever I could find.

At night, Mom would dump bags of cans on the kitchen floor to sort.

I'd sit at the table doing homework while she worked on the ground.

Every once in a while, she'd nod at my notebook.

"You understand all that?"

"Mostly," I'd say.

"You're going to go further than me."

High school started, and the jokes got quieter but sharper.

People didn't yell "trash boy" anymore.

They did stuff like:

Slide their chairs an inch away when I sat.

Make fake gagging sounds under their breath.

Send each other snaps of the garbage truck outside and laugh, glancing at me.

If there were group chats with pictures of my mom, I never saw them.

I could've told a counselor or a teacher.

But then they'd call home.

And then Mom would know.

So I swallowed it and focused on grades.

That's when Mr. Anderson showed up in my life.

He was my 11th-grade math teacher.

Late 30s, messy hair, tie always loose, coffee permanently attached to his hand.

One day, he walked past my desk and stopped.

I was doing extra problems I'd printed off a college website.

"Those aren't from the book."

I jerked my hand back like I'd been caught cheating.

"Uh, yeah, I just... like this stuff."

He dragged over a chair and sat next to me like we were equals.

"You like this stuff?"

"It makes sense. Numbers don't care who your mom works for."

He stared at me for a second. Then he said, "Have you ever thought about engineering? Or computer science?"

I laughed. "Those schools are for rich kids. We can't even afford the application fee."

"Fee waivers exist. Financial aid exists. Smart poor kids exist. You're one of them."

I shrugged, embarrassed.

From then on, he kind of became my unofficial coach.

He gave me old competition problems "for fun."

He'd let me eat lunch in his classroom, claiming he "needed help grading."

He'd talk about algorithms and data structures like it was gossip.

He also showed me websites for schools I'd only heard of on TV.

"Places like this would fight over you," he said, pointing at one.

"Not if they see my address."

He sighed. "Daniel, your zip code is not a prison."

By senior year, my GPA was the highest in the class.

People started calling me "the smart kid."

Some said it with respect, some said it like it was a disease.

"Of course, he got an A. It's not like he has a life."

"Teachers feel bad for him. That's why."

Meanwhile, Mom was pulling double routes to pay off the last of the hospital bills.

One afternoon, Mr. Anderson asked me to stay after class.

He dropped a brochure on my desk.

Big fancy logo.

I recognized it right away.

One of the top engineering institutes in the country.

"I want you to apply here," he said.

I stared at it like it might catch fire.

"Yeah, okay. Hilarious."

"I'm serious. They have full rides for students like you. I checked."

"I can't just leave my mom. She cleans offices at night, too. I help."

"I'm not saying it'll be easy. I'm saying you deserve the chance to choose. Let them tell you no. Don't tell yourself no first."

So we did it in secret.

After school, I'd sit in his classroom and work on essays.

The first draft I wrote was some generic "I like math, I want to help people" garbage.

He read it and shook his head.

"This could be anyone. Where are you?"

So I started over.

I wrote about 4 a.m. alarms and orange vests.

About my dad's empty boots by the door.

About Mom studying drug dosages once and then hauling medical waste now.

About lying to her face when she asked if I had friends.

When I finished reading, Mr. Anderson was quiet for a long second. Then he cleared his throat.

"Yeah. Send that one."

I told Mom I was applying to "some schools abroad," but I didn't say which.

I couldn't stand the idea of watching her get excited and then having to say, "Never mind."

The rejection, if it came, would be mine alone.

The email arrived on a Tuesday.

I was half-asleep, eating cereal dust.

My phone buzzed.

Admissions Decision.

My hands shook as I opened it.

"Dear Daniel, congratulations..."

I stopped, blinked hard, then read it again.

Full ride.

Grants.

Work-study.

Housing.

The whole thing.

I laughed, then slapped a hand over my mouth.

Mom was in the shower.

By the time she came out, I'd printed the letter and folded it.

"All I'll say is it's good news," I told her, handing it over.

She read slowly.

Her hand flew to her mouth.

"Is this... real?"

"It's real," I said.

"You're going to college," she said. "You're really going."

She hugged me so hard my spine popped.

"I told your father," she cried into my shoulder. "I told him you would do this."

We celebrated with a big cake and a plastic "CONGRATS" banner.

She kept saying, "My son is going to college overseas," like a spell.

I decided I'd save the full reveal -- the school's name, the scholarship, everything -- for graduation.

Make it the moment she'd remember forever.

Graduation day came.

The gym was packed.

Caps, gowns, screaming siblings, parents in their best clothes.

I spotted Mom all the way in the back bleachers, sitting as straight as she could, hair done, phone ready.

Closer to the stage, I saw Mr. Anderson leaning against the wall with the teachers.

He gave me a small nod.

We sang the national anthem.

The boring speeches.

Names being called.

My heart pounded harder with each row.

Then: "Our valedictorian, Daniel."

The applause sounded... weird.

Half polite, half surprised.

I walked up to the mic.

I already knew how I wanted to start.

"My mom has been picking up your trash for years," I said, voice steady.

The room went still.

A few people shifted.

Nobody laughed.

"I'm Daniel," I went on, "and a lot of you know me as 'trash lady's kid.'"

Nervous chuckles floated up, then died.

"What most of you don't know," I said, "is that my mom was a nursing student before my dad died in a construction accident. She dropped out to work in sanitation so I could eat."

I swallowed.

"And almost every day since first grade, some version of 'trash' has followed me around this school."

I listed a few things, voice calm:

People pinching their noses.

Gagging noises.

Snaps of the garbage truck.

Chairs sliding away.

"In all that time," I said, "there's one person I never told."

I looked up at the back row.

Mom was leaning forward, eyes wide.

"My mom," I said. "Every day she came home exhausted and asked, 'How was school?' and every day I lied. I told her I had friends. That everyone was nice. Because I didn't want her to think she'd failed me."

She pressed her hands over her face.

"I'm telling the truth now," I said, voice cracking just a little, "because she deserves to know what she was really fighting against."

I took a breath.

"But I also didn't do this alone. I had a teacher who saw past my hoodie and my last name."

I glanced at the staff.

"Mr. Anderson," I said, "thank you for the extra problems, the fee waivers, the essay drafts, and for saying 'why not you' until I started believing it."

He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

"Mom," I said, turning back to the bleachers, "you thought giving up nursing school meant you failed. You thought picking up trash made you less. But everything I've done is built on your getting up at 3:30 a.m."

I pulled the folded letter from my gown.

"So here's what your sacrifice turned into," I said. "That college abroad that I told you about? It's not just any college."

The gym leaned in.

"In the fall," I said, "I'm going to one of the top engineering institutes in the world. On a full scholarship."

For half a second, there was total silence.

Then the place exploded.

People shouted.

Clapped.

Someone yelled, "NO WAY!"

My mom shot to her feet, screaming her lungs out.

"My son!" she yelled. "My son is going to the best school!"

Her voice cracked, and she started crying.

I could feel my own throat closing up.

"I'm not saying this to flex," I added, once it calmed down a little. "I'm saying it because some of you are like me. Your parents clean, drive, fix, lift, haul. You're embarrassed. You shouldn't be."

I looked around the gym.

"Your parents' job doesn't define your worth," I said. "And neither does it dictate theirs. Respect the people who pick up after you. Their kids might be the ones up here next."

I finished with, "Mom... this one is for you. Thank you."

When I walked away from the mic, people were on their feet.

Some of the same classmates who'd joked about my mom had tears on their faces.

I don't know if it was guilt or just emotion.

I just know the "trash kid" walked back to his seat to a standing ovation.

After the ceremony, in the parking lot, Mom practically tackled me.

She hugged me so hard my cap fell off.

"You went through all that?" she whispered. "And I didn't know?"

"I didn't want to hurt you," I said.

She cupped my face in both hands.

"You were trying to protect me," she said. "But I'm your mother. Next time, let me protect you too, okay?"

I laughed, eyes still wet.

"Okay," I said. "Deal."

That night, we sat at our little kitchen table.

My diploma and the acceptance letter lay between us like something holy.

I could still smell the faint mix of bleach and trash on her uniform hanging by the door.

For the first time, it didn't make me feel small.

It made me feel like I was standing on someone's shoulders.

I'm still "trash lady's kid."

Always will be.

But now, when I hear it in my head, it doesn't sound like an insult.

It sounds like a title I earned the hard way.

And in a few months, when I step onto that campus, I'll know exactly who got me there.

The woman who spent a decade picking up everyone else's garbage so I could pick up the life she once dreamed of for herself.

This story is inspired by the real experiences of our readers. We believe that every story carries a lesson that can bring light to others. To protect everyone's privacy, our editors may change names, locations, and certain details while keeping the heart of the story true. Images are for illustration only. If you'd like to share your own experience, please contact us via email. more

Career development

 4d

My classmates laughed at me for being a garbage collector's son -- Then I made them regret it


My classmates made fun of me because I'm the son of a garbage collector -- but at graduation, I only said one sentence, and the whole gym went dead silent and started crying.

I'm Daniel (18M), and my life has always smelled like diesel, bleach, and old food rotting in plastic bags.

My mom didn't grow up wanting to grab trash cans at 4 a.m.

She wanted to be a nurse.

She was in nursing school,... married, with a little apartment and a husband who worked construction.

Then one day, his harness failed.

The fall killed him before the ambulance even got there.

After that, we were constantly battling hospital bills, the funeral costs, and everything she owed for school.

Overnight, she went from "future nurse" to "widow with no degree and a kid."

Nobody was lining up to hire her.

The city sanitation department didn't care about degrees or gaps on a résumé.

They cared if you'd show up before sunrise and keep showing up.

So she put on a reflective vest, climbed onto the back of a truck, and became "the trash lady."

Which made me "trash lady's kid." That name stuck.

In elementary school, kids would wrinkle their noses when I sat down.

"You smell like the garbage truck," they'd say.

"Careful, he bites."

By middle school, it was routine.

If I walked by, people would pinch their noses in slow motion.

If we did group work, I'd be the last pick, the spare chair.

I learned the layout of every school hallway because I was always looking for places to eat alone.

My favorite spot ended up being behind the vending machines by the old auditorium.

Quiet. Dusty. Safe.

At home, though, I was a different person.

"How was school, mi amor?" Mom would ask, peeling off rubber gloves, fingers red and swollen.

I'd kick my shoes off and lean on the counter.

"It was good," I'd say. "We're doing a project. I sat with some friends. Teacher says I'm doing great."

She'd light up.

"Of course. You're the smartest boy in the world."

I couldn't tell her that some days I didn't say 10 words out loud at school.

That I ate lunch alone.

That when her truck turned down our street while kids were around, I pretended not to see her wave.

She already carried my dad's death, the debt, the double shifts.

I wasn't going to add "My kid is miserable" to her pile.

So I made one promise to myself: If she was going to break her body for me, I was going to make it worth it.

Education became my escape plan.

We didn't have money for tutors, prep classes, or fancy programs.

What I had was a library card, a beat-up laptop Mom bought with recycled can money, and a lot of stubbornness.

I'd camp in the library until closing.

Algebra, physics, whatever I could find.

At night, Mom would dump bags of cans on the kitchen floor to sort.

I'd sit at the table doing homework while she worked on the ground.

Every once in a while, she'd nod at my notebook.

"You understand all that?"

"Mostly," I'd say.

"You're going to go further than me."

High school started, and the jokes got quieter but sharper.

People didn't yell "trash boy" anymore.

They did stuff like:

Slide their chairs an inch away when I sat.

Make fake gagging sounds under their breath.

Send each other snaps of the garbage truck outside and laugh, glancing at me.

If there were group chats with pictures of my mom, I never saw them.

I could've told a counselor or a teacher.

But then they'd call home.

And then Mom would know.

So I swallowed it and focused on grades.

That's when Mr. Anderson showed up in my life.

He was my 11th-grade math teacher.

Late 30s, messy hair, tie always loose, coffee permanently attached to his hand.

One day, he walked past my desk and stopped.

I was doing extra problems I'd printed off a college website.

"Those aren't from the book."

I jerked my hand back like I'd been caught cheating.

"Uh, yeah, I just... like this stuff."

He dragged over a chair and sat next to me like we were equals.

"You like this stuff?"

"It makes sense. Numbers don't care who your mom works for."

He stared at me for a second. Then he said, "Have you ever thought about engineering? Or computer science?"

I laughed. "Those schools are for rich kids. We can't even afford the application fee."

"Fee waivers exist. Financial aid exists. Smart poor kids exist. You're one of them."

I shrugged, embarrassed.

From then on, he kind of became my unofficial coach.

He gave me old competition problems "for fun."

He'd let me eat lunch in his classroom, claiming he "needed help grading."

He'd talk about algorithms and data structures like it was gossip.

He also showed me websites for schools I'd only heard of on TV.

"Places like this would fight over you," he said, pointing at one.

"Not if they see my address."

He sighed. "Daniel, your zip code is not a prison."

By senior year, my GPA was the highest in the class.

People started calling me "the smart kid."

Some said it with respect, some said it like it was a disease.

"Of course, he got an A. It's not like he has a life."

"Teachers feel bad for him. That's why."

Meanwhile, Mom was pulling double routes to pay off the last of the hospital bills.

One afternoon, Mr. Anderson asked me to stay after class.

He dropped a brochure on my desk.

Big fancy logo.

I recognized it right away.

One of the top engineering institutes in the country.

"I want you to apply here," he said.

I stared at it like it might catch fire.

"Yeah, okay. Hilarious."

"I'm serious. They have full rides for students like you. I checked."

"I can't just leave my mom. She cleans offices at night, too. I help."

"I'm not saying it'll be easy. I'm saying you deserve the chance to choose. Let them tell you no. Don't tell yourself no first."

So we did it in secret.

After school, I'd sit in his classroom and work on essays.

The first draft I wrote was some generic "I like math, I want to help people" garbage.

He read it and shook his head.

"This could be anyone. Where are you?"

So I started over.

I wrote about 4 a.m. alarms and orange vests.

About my dad's empty boots by the door.

About Mom studying drug dosages once and then hauling medical waste now.

About lying to her face when she asked if I had friends.

When I finished reading, Mr. Anderson was quiet for a long second. Then he cleared his throat.

"Yeah. Send that one."

I told Mom I was applying to "some schools abroad," but I didn't say which.

I couldn't stand the idea of watching her get excited and then having to say, "Never mind."

The rejection, if it came, would be mine alone.

The email arrived on a Tuesday.

I was half-asleep, eating cereal dust.

My phone buzzed.

Admissions Decision.

My hands shook as I opened it.

"Dear Daniel, congratulations..."

I stopped, blinked hard, then read it again.

Full ride.

Grants.

Work-study.

Housing.

The whole thing.

I laughed, then slapped a hand over my mouth.

Mom was in the shower.

By the time she came out, I'd printed the letter and folded it.

"All I'll say is it's good news," I told her, handing it over.

She read slowly.

Her hand flew to her mouth.

"Is this... real?"

"It's real," I said.

"You're going to college," she said. "You're really going."

She hugged me so hard my spine popped.

"I told your father," she cried into my shoulder. "I told him you would do this."

We celebrated with a big cake and a plastic "CONGRATS" banner.

She kept saying, "My son is going to college overseas," like a spell.

I decided I'd save the full reveal -- the school's name, the scholarship, everything -- for graduation.

Make it the moment she'd remember forever.

Graduation day came.

The gym was packed.

Caps, gowns, screaming siblings, parents in their best clothes.

I spotted Mom all the way in the back bleachers, sitting as straight as she could, hair done, phone ready.

Closer to the stage, I saw Mr. Anderson leaning against the wall with the teachers.

He gave me a small nod.

We sang the national anthem.

The boring speeches.

Names being called.

My heart pounded harder with each row.

Then: "Our valedictorian, Daniel."

The applause sounded... weird.

Half polite, half surprised.

I walked up to the mic.

I already knew how I wanted to start.

"My mom has been picking up your trash for years," I said, voice steady.

The room went still.

A few people shifted.

Nobody laughed.

"I'm Daniel," I went on, "and a lot of you know me as 'trash lady's kid.'"

Nervous chuckles floated up, then died.

"What most of you don't know," I said, "is that my mom was a nursing student before my dad died in a construction accident. She dropped out to work in sanitation so I could eat."

I swallowed.

"And almost every day since first grade, some version of 'trash' has followed me around this school."

I listed a few things, voice calm:

People pinching their noses.

Gagging noises.

Snaps of the garbage truck.

Chairs sliding away.

"In all that time," I said, "there's one person I never told."

I looked up at the back row.

Mom was leaning forward, eyes wide.

"My mom," I said. "Every day she came home exhausted and asked, 'How was school?' and every day I lied. I told her I had friends. That everyone was nice. Because I didn't want her to think she'd failed me."

She pressed her hands over her face.

"I'm telling the truth now," I said, voice cracking just a little, "because she deserves to know what she was really fighting against."

I took a breath.

"But I also didn't do this alone. I had a teacher who saw past my hoodie and my last name."

I glanced at the staff.

"Mr. Anderson," I said, "thank you for the extra problems, the fee waivers, the essay drafts, and for saying 'why not you' until I started believing it."

He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

"Mom," I said, turning back to the bleachers, "you thought giving up nursing school meant you failed. You thought picking up trash made you less. But everything I've done is built on your getting up at 3:30 a.m."

I pulled the folded letter from my gown.

"So here's what your sacrifice turned into," I said. "That college abroad that I told you about? It's not just any college."

The gym leaned in.

"In the fall," I said, "I'm going to one of the top engineering institutes in the world. On a full scholarship."

For half a second, there was total silence.

Then the place exploded.

People shouted.

Clapped.

Someone yelled, "NO WAY!"

My mom shot to her feet, screaming her lungs out.

"My son!" she yelled. "My son is going to the best school!"

Her voice cracked, and she started crying.

I could feel my own throat closing up.

"I'm not saying this to flex," I added, once it calmed down a little. "I'm saying it because some of you are like me. Your parents clean, drive, fix, lift, haul. You're embarrassed. You shouldn't be."

I looked around the gym.

"Your parents' job doesn't define your worth," I said. "And neither does it dictate theirs. Respect the people who pick up after you. Their kids might be the ones up here next."

I finished with, "Mom... this one is for you. Thank you."

When I walked away from the mic, people were on their feet.

Some of the same classmates who'd joked about my mom had tears on their faces.

I don't know if it was guilt or just emotion.

I just know the "trash kid" walked back to his seat to a standing ovation.

After the ceremony, in the parking lot, Mom practically tackled me.

She hugged me so hard my cap fell off.

"You went through all that?" she whispered. "And I didn't know?"

"I didn't want to hurt you," I said.

She cupped my face in both hands.

"You were trying to protect me," she said. "But I'm your mother. Next time, let me protect you too, okay?"

I laughed, eyes still wet.

"Okay," I said. "Deal."

That night, we sat at our little kitchen table.

My diploma and the acceptance letter lay between us like something holy.

I could still smell the faint mix of bleach and trash on her uniform hanging by the door.

For the first time, it didn't make me feel small.

It made me feel like I was standing on someone's shoulders.

I'm still "trash lady's kid."

Always will be.

But now, when I hear it in my head, it doesn't sound like an insult.

It sounds like a title I earned the hard way.

And in a few months, when I step onto that campus, I'll know exactly who got me there.

The woman who spent a decade picking up everyone else's garbage so I could pick up the life she once dreamed of for herself.

This story is inspired by the real experiences of our readers. We believe that every story carries a lesson that can bring light to others. To protect everyone's privacy, our editors may change names, locations, and certain details while keeping the heart of the story true. Images are for illustration only. If you'd like to share your own experience, please contact us via email. more

Career development

 5d

Council Post: 10 Ways Candidates Proved Their Value Beyond AI-Generated Applications


In a world where AI can help almost anyone create a polished résumé or cover letter, hiring managers are asking a new question: How do you tell who can actually do the work? Many employers are looking beyond résumés for proof that a candidate can actually think, solve problems and create value.

Below, members of Forbes Human Resources Council share examples that caught their attention -- and... whether those candidates ultimately got the job. Whether through creative portfolios, original analyses or unconventional approaches to demonstrating their skills, candidates are finding memorable ways to showcase what AI can't replicate. more

Career development

 5d

Dear Class Of 2026: The Skills That Will Actually Get You Hired


Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.

Congratulations 2026 college grads! Now, a reality check: you are entering the most constrained entry-level job market in five years.

The Cengage Group's 2025 Graduate Employability Report found that only 30% of 2025 graduates find jobs in their field, while 48% feel unprepared to even apply for entry-level positions. No need... to panic. The skills you need to stand out can be built right now , and most have little to do with your GPA or major.

In the age of AI, the most competitive graduates are not the ones who know the most. They are the ones who can think, connect, adapt, and ask better questions than any algorithm.

What Employers Are Looking For Right Now

The skills gap is real, but may not be what graduates expect. It is the gap between what employers actually want and what higher education believes it has prepared students for. Cengage's 2025 report found that while nearly 9 in 10 educators believe their students are workforce-ready, almost half of graduates say they feel unprepared to even apply for entry-level jobs.

Technical skills get you in the door. Human skills keep you there and move you up.

Marty Grimminck, CEO of International Connector, has spent over 20 years in workforce development with young people across the U.S., Canada, and globally. What she consistently sees mirrors what hiring leaders across industries confirm: "What consistently stands out to employers are skills like communication, adaptability, confidence, professionalism, and the ability to engage with different kinds of people and situations."

From conversations with hiring and operational leaders across industries, including group discussions within executive communities like Samudra, skills such as emotional intelligence, resilience, and curiosity are in high demand.

Here is what organizations are actually looking for in college graduates:

As one senior talent leader at Verizon put it: "It's easier to teach someone a technical skill than how to be resilient and find creative solutions to problems. That's why candidates must highlight their appetite for continuous growth and intellectual curiosity."

The Skills That Actually Matter: Beyond the Resume

Let's stop calling them soft skills. Career development experts now call empathy, critical thinking, and collaboration "power skills" and say proficiency in all three is required to succeed in most jobs. And they are precisely the skills many graduates currently lack.

Elyse Klaidman, CEO and founder of Xperiential, an experiential learning company preparing young people for the real world, shared via email, "Most students have fewer opportunities to practice these skills in meaningful ways, even though they're increasingly expected to demonstrate them. In the era of AI that we live in, these skills have to become core."

Empathy and Emotional Intelligence

From my own work and research, empathy is the ability to see, understand, and where appropriate, feel another person's perspective. By welcoming and synthesizing diverse perspectives, teams make smarter business decisions. In remote and hybrid environments especially, empathy bridges the gap when you cannot read body language or build relationships over lunch. It shows up in how you write an email, give feedback, stay emotionally regulated in crisis, and ask for help.

To demonstrate it: show examples of collaborating within diverse groups and navigating conflict. Take genuine interest in the interviewer and organization beyond what they can do for you. Share a time you received difficult feedback and how you moved forward.

Curiosity and a Research Mindset

Employers want graduates who ask better questions, not just ones who know more answers. Curiosity drives innovation, surfaces blind spots, and helps teams adapt when the playbook changes. Grimminck notes that the students who tend to stand out are not always the ones with perfect credentials -- they are the ones who ask thoughtful questions, build confidence through experience, and adapt when things don't go perfectly.

Show up to interviews with informed questions. Propose ideas nobody asked for. Volunteer to investigate something nobody has figured out yet.

Critical Thinking and Ambiguity Tolerance

AI can generate answers. It cannot always tell you which answer matters, why it matters, or what to do when the situation does not fit any template. That is where critical thinkers win. Organizations need humans who can interrogate and discern AI output without blindly taking it as gospel.

NACE's Job Outlook 2025 survey found a roughly 25 percentage point gap between how proficient students believe they are in critical thinking and how employers actually rate them -- making it one of the most significant readiness gaps in the workforce today.

Resilience and Adaptability

Resilience does not mean staying calm at all times. It is the ability to experience the highs and lows and return quickly to equilibrium. That ability to absorb setbacks, recalibrate, and keep going is built through experience, not just the classroom -- and it is exactly what employers are watching for in early-career candidates.

"Students have become used to environments where work is evaluated once and graded, rather than repeated cycles of feedback and revision, as opposed to seeing feedback and iteration as how learning happens," Klaidman further noted.,

This is also the skill most directly tied to self-awareness and empathy for yourself: recognizing your struggles, asking for support, and treating failures as data rather than judgments. Talk about times in work or life when you faced a curveball and how you responded - whether a layoff, an irate customer, or a personal challenge.

Grimminck puts it plainly: "What we often see firsthand is not laziness, but overwhelm and uncertainty caused by growing up in an environment of constant distraction, comparison, and rapidly changing expectations." The antidote is building real-world resilience before you need it.

Communication and Collaboration

In remote and hybrid work, communication is everything. The ability to write clearly, speak confidently, listen actively, and collaborate across difference is what helps a new graduate shine -- and what too many are missing.

Grimminck sees this firsthand: "Many young people are growing up in environments where constant digital stimulation competes for their attention. They are digitally fluent but haven't always developed the interpersonal confidence and real-world navigation skills that come from in-person interaction."

Brush up with trusted mentors on workplace etiquette. Practice writing professional emails. Volunteer to run or recap a meeting. Follow up on conversations in writing to signal reliability and clarity.

Navigating the Transition: Empathy for Yourself and Others

The first job is hard. The gap between academic culture and workplace culture is real in the best of times, let alone right now. Leadership paradigms and organizational structures are changing faster than the reality-bending landscapes in Inception -- and it catches most graduates off guard.

Expect ambiguity, feedback that stings, and moments where you feel like you do not belong. This is normal. It is not a signal to quit. It is a signal to get curious.

Empathy for yourself means giving yourself grace through the learning curve, asking questions without shame, and resisting the urge to perform competence you do not yet have. Empathy for others means recognizing that your manager is also navigating pressure, your colleagues have context you don't, and building trust takes time.

If you are entering a remote or hybrid role: connection does not happen automatically. Reach out, show up, follow up. That intentionality is what gets you noticed, mentored, and promoted.

Three Actions College Grads Can Take to Get Hired

1. Run an original research project.

Ever wonder why some experience at work, school, or even your favorite store had to be so hard? Pick a question your intended industry has not fully answered. Use AI to gather data and create a prototype, but apply your own analysis and point of view. Write it up. Share it. It is less about being right and more about your exploration process. This signals curiosity, critical thinking, and comfort with ambiguity in one move -- exactly what hiring managers say they cannot find enough of. Grimminck's CareerReady Connect program was built on this very insight: students who are actively engaged rather than just spoken to build confidence and begin thinking differently about what is possible.

2. Practice asking impact-driven questions -- out loud, in every setting.

Replace "What should I know?" with "What problem is this team trying to solve that nobody has cracked yet?" or "Where do you see the most untapped growth potential in this industry? What are competitors missing?" Questions that drive toward impact signal strategic thinking and make you memorable. Practice until it becomes instinct.

3. Build your empathy muscle deliberately.

Seek out a role, project, or volunteer experience that puts you in relationship with people whose backgrounds, perspectives, or challenges differ from yours. Empathy is not a personality trait. It is a practiced skill. As Grimminck notes, some of the most valuable growth comes from experiences that simply teach you how to work with people, communicate effectively, and navigate environments outside your comfort zone. The graduates who can demonstrate empathy in interviews, in teamwork, and in how they communicate will stand out in a field of equally credentialed candidates.

The Future Belongs to the Curious and the Connected

AI is not your competition. Rigidity is. The graduates who will thrive are the ones who stay curious, keep connecting, embrace discomfort as a teacher, and lead with both empathy and accountability from day one.

Your degree got you to the starting line. What you do with your humanity is what will carry you forward.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com more

Career development

 1w

I got laid off from IBM over 2 years ago and I'm still unemployed. I don't want my kids to feel like anything is wrong.


This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Fatema Ali, a job seeker in her 30s who lives in Texas. She previously worked for IBM as a project manager before being laid off in 2024. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

In early 2024, I began to worry that my time at IBM could be coming to an end.

I was a delivery project manager based in the Dallas area and had been... working remotely since joining IBM in 2018. That January, IBM announced that all US managers would be required to report to an office or client location at least three days a week or risk losing their jobs. There was an office about 15 minutes from my home, and I started going in regularly.

In February, my manager started warning me that broader layoffs could be on the horizon. By the time I was laid off in April, I wasn't completely surprised.

More than two years later, I'm still looking for full-time work.

My husband and I were suddenly both out of work at the same time

What made the layoff more difficult was that a few months earlier, my husband had left his job to pursue a startup idea that wasn't yet generating income. We had three children to support, and suddenly neither of us had a traditional full-time job.

One thing working in our favor was that we had already paid off our house. That gave us some breathing room and relieved some financial pressure.

Even so, there was a lot of financial uncertainty. We cut back where we could and tried to live more simply, including traveling less with the kids. For a period, we were largely living off savings and the severance I received, which amounted to about three months of salary.

I started looking for work immediately, both inside and outside IBM. There was one promising internal opportunity I applied for, but it would've required me to move to North Carolina. I had recently bought a home in Texas, had family nearby, and didn't want to uproot my three children.

Instead, I focused on finding opportunities closer to home, primarily in project and program management, while also applying for roles in higher education, nonprofits, and government.

The job search feels harder than it did during the Great Recession

When I graduated from college in 2008 during the Great Recession, the job market was difficult. Looking back, it almost feels like a walk in the park compared with what I've experienced over the last two years. Back then, I was getting more interview opportunities.

One of the most frustrating parts of the process has been dealing with applicant tracking systems. I have dozens of résumé versions for different roles because I know résumés can be filtered out if they're missing the right keywords. It feels like strong candidates can be overlooked before anyone has a chance to review their experience.

I can spend hours tailoring an application and never speak with a human recruiter. It's become a nightmare.

I try to reach out to people in my network. If I see a mutual connection who works at an organization where I'm applying, I'll try to reconnect with them directly. Simply applying online without a referral has become one of my least effective job-search strategies.

I've landed a few interviews over the last two years and have made it through multiple rounds with some employers. In many cases, companies ultimately chose an internal candidate or someone with more experience in a specific area. Occasionally, I check LinkedIn to try to figure out who ended up getting the role based on their title and start date.

I've tried to make the most of my time away from work

While I've been looking for work since my layoff, I haven't always been consistent with my applications. I spent time helping my husband with his startup and devoted a lot of time to caring for my youngest child.

Last year, my husband decided to focus less on his startup and return to the workforce, landing a new job in November. That provided some financial relief for our family.

As my children have gotten older, I've also had more freedom to focus on my career again. By the middle of last year, I became much more consistent with my job search.

While I'm still looking for work, I've scaled back my job search somewhat in recent months to spend more time pursuing projects with my husband, notably P1loop, an app we launched together. My husband used his experience as an iOS developer to help build it.

The app is designed to help teams communicate about urgent operational issues. It isn't generating any income yet, but we're hopeful. My layoff experience has forced me to rethink stability, take a risk, and try to build something meaningful from scratch.

The biggest lesson I've learned is patience

I've been working since I was 19, and I'm looking forward to returning to work.

My job search has been stressful, but I didn't want that pressure to show on my face. I don't want my children to feel like there is anything wrong. I want to carry on with the day and stay grounded as best as I can.

Being unemployed hasn't felt like much of a break. When you're dealing with financial uncertainty, caring for children, looking for work, and trying to build something new, your mind is always racing.

My best advice to anyone going through this is to stay patient, whether you've worked really hard and things are going exactly the way you hoped, or things aren't falling into place yet.

While I'm still looking for the right opportunity, I've learned the importance of staying the course. more
11   

  • Naliaka Kisia

    5d

    Wow, I actually thought it was easier in the developed countries. Job hunting has become something else.

  • Debbie Satterfield

    1w

    I am in the same unemployed, physical, mental and financial situation for greater than a year. I've become numb to the rejection emails. Some days I... think it would be easier to get admitted to a mental institution.  more

Load more...

Jenson Lane


Career development 1w
Is job hopping every 2–3 years still the best way to grow your salary, or do employers see it as a red flag? I'm curious whether hiring managers and candidates view this differently.
2   

  • Hussaian Umar

    5d

    Depending on the job

  • Victor Akanbi

    1w

    0m
    HRM will always find fault with you jumping jobs. I faced similar scenerio in an interview where the senior HR critized my CV having worked for 3... companies in 4 years but the real question is are we supposed to miss opportunity that comes with more growth, more compensation but to just stick to the present role with less growth. more

Load more...

Career development

 5d

5 Reasons to Volunteer with CorpsAfrica and Kickstart Your Career - Newsy Today


CorpsAfrica is currently recruiting young professionals across 11 African nations for year-long rural development fellowships, a model gaining traction as a formal bridge between university graduation and long-term career placement. According to the organization, the program mandates one year of immersive service in underserved communities, focusing on locally-led initiatives in sectors like... agriculture, education, and healthcare.

Why Is Volunteerism Becoming a Career Strategy?

Career development experts identify structured volunteer service as a primary mechanism for overcoming the "experience gap" that frequently prevents recent graduates from securing formal employment. By placing participants in field-based roles, organizations like CorpsAfrica provide tangible project management and community engagement data for a resume. Unlike traditional internships that often focus on administrative tasks, these fellowships require participants to navigate complex logistical challenges in rural settings. This practical exposure to proposal writing and sustainable development practices provides a measurable competitive advantage in sectors such as public service, international development, and social entrepreneurship.

How Does Grassroots Development Differ from Traditional Aid?

CorpsAfrica operates on a community-driven model that prioritizes local ownership over foreign-led intervention. According to the organization's operational framework, volunteers do not arrive with pre-packaged solutions. Instead, they reside in rural areas for 12 months to facilitate a process where residents identify their own primary needs, such as clean water access or food security. This approach contrasts with traditional top-down development, which often faces criticism for failing to account for local cultural nuances or long-term maintenance requirements. By embedding young professionals within the communities they serve, the program aims to ensure that projects remain functional long after the volunteer's service year concludes.

What Are the Requirements to Apply?

To be eligible for a CorpsAfrica fellowship, an applicant must meet five specific criteria established by the organization:

* Must be at least 21 years old.

* Must hold a university degree or demonstrate equivalent professional experience.

* Must be a citizen of the country where they are applying to serve.

* Must commit to a full one-year term in a rural or remote location.

* Must prioritize community service over financial compensation.

How Can Applicants Avoid Recruitment Scams?

As competition for professional development opportunities grows, CorpsAfrica has issued a formal warning regarding fraudulent recruitment communications. The organization confirms that all legitimate correspondence originates from verified "@corpsafrica.org" email addresses. Applicants are advised to disregard any offers of employment or volunteer placement sent via public email services like Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook. If an applicant receives a suspicious message, the organization requests that it be reported directly to their official channels to prevent impersonation scams.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the CorpsAfrica volunteer program a paid position?

No. According to the organization, the program is based on the principles of service rather than financial gain, though it is designed to provide significant professional development and networking value.

Can international applicants apply for the program?

No. CorpsAfrica explicitly requires that applicants be citizens of the country where they apply, emphasizing a model of local citizens serving their own communities.

What is the deadline for upcoming applications?

Deadlines vary by region. Currently, the cutoff for South Africa is 30 June 2026, for Côte d'Ivoire is 8 July 2026, and for The Gambia is 25 July 2026.

What happens after the one-year service term?

The organization reports that many former volunteers leverage their field experience to transition into roles within nonprofit leadership, government, and the private sector, utilizing the professional networks built during their service year.

Are you looking for more opportunities to build your professional profile in the development sector? Subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates on fellowships, workshops, and career-advancement programs across the continent. more

Career development

 5d

West Alabama teens learn essential job application skills at workforce development summit


TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WBRC) - Job skills don't always come naturally. Some are taught and then practiced over time so you're more prepared for a job interview and then keeping that position.

Tuscaloosa One Place hosted its first ever teen workforce development summit, inviting teenagers eager to get a job but don't have the experience to confidently apply for one.

More than two dozen gathered to... learn the basics, leaving more confident on how to get a job.

Career coaches talking to small groups, teaching them about several aspects of searching for jobs and how to get hired.

The teenagers in attendance got examples about writing good resumes and cover letters, how to dress for job interviews, what questions to expect and how to best answer them.

Gracie Powell, the media relations manager for Tuscaloosa One Place, said the program is an adaptation of their adult lunch and learn course.

"Through our workforce development program, we do a four-week program for adults," Powell said. "It just goes over the same types of skills, resumes, cover letters and then we have some in-depth job search career counseling."

The teenagers met for a three-hour session geared towards them while a similar course for adults lasts nearly a month.

Get news alerts in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store or subscribe to our email newsletter here. more