My Jepson Story: Alexandra Taylor Wiles, '12
*One of a collection of stories written by alumni for the Jepson School's 20th Anniversary
When Dr. Ayers introduced me as the student speaker at Commencement, the only thing he could say about my future plans was that I was planning to pursue a career in nonprofit fundraising and development in the Richmond area.
That was what I hoped was going to happen. I honestly had no idea if that hope would become reality. After what felt like the pinnacle of achievement on Sunday, May 6, I woke up on Monday, May 7 with a gnawing, fearful feeling of “what if?” What if I can’t find a job in this economy? What if I can, but it’s one that’s purely to pay the bills, with no chance of advancement or growth?
I began applying for jobs listed on the local nonprofit hub, ConnectRichmond.org. A couple of non-responders, a couple of rejections, and then...a couple of interviews. A third. A fourth. Each resulted in a job offer. I was anxious to take the first offer I received, but something always held me back. I said “no” four times. In this economy. It was terrifying, and a little exhilarating. I had options. I was a desirable candidate for employment, and I had four legitimate, respectable offers that said so.
As I was being interviewed by the fourth company, I received an email from my supervisor at one of my three Jepson internship sites from the summer of 2011, observing that he was getting a number of reference requests from various organizations; was I still looking for a job? If so, could he suggest Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond, where two of his former colleagues worked in Resource Development?
A few emails later, I had an informational interview with those two colleagues. The next thing I heard was that there was, in fact, a position opening up on their team. Could I come in for a formal interview and to fill out an application?
You bet I could.
That was in July. I began work on August 1. I'm getting ready to celebrate my one-year anniversary. I’m learning the joys and occasional sorrows of the working world, take pleasure in working with my wonderful colleagues and superiors and love that I am supporting a mission in which I passionately believe.
Jepson truly made this path possible. Its focus on leadership for the common good was probably the best preparation for work in the nonprofit industry for which one could hope, and the internship program literally built the network that led me—through only one degree of separation—to my current position. Most importantly, however, I continue to realize that Jepson’s greatest gift was to help me more sensitively and more accurately anticipate and understand the thoughts and actions of others in a way that I can serve as a better leader and follower, and more effectively respond to others’ needs as I take on either role.
All of my potential—and current—employers asked what I’d “gotten out of” my Jepson education. To quote one of the many cover letters I wrote:
“My leadership studies education has empowered me to serve as a compassionate leader in diversity-rich situations involving participants with a variety of needs, and also as a team player and ethically-driven follower.”
In other words, I know how to work with people.
Today, I assist in the resource development and fundraising efforts that keep the doors of nine Clubs in the Richmond area open for more than 2,500 kids in disadvantaged circumstances. I’m responsible for communicating the stories of our kids, our incredible staff and our Clubs to our donors. I love my work, and I love who I’m working for: kids and teens who need, want and deserve so much more.
The Jepson School turned my “what if” into a “why not?” For that, I’m eternally grateful.
--Alex Wiles
Photo credit: Molly Boyd Photography