By Shayla Aponte ’19 Staff Writer
Most seniors started to accept jobs or graduate programs this past semester; for one senior, she’s chosen a different route post-graduation.
Devon Malloy, a senior global studies and digital communications double major, was offered a fellowship with Venture for America. She has shown her entrepreneurial spirit and leadership skills throughout her time at LVC and wanted to work for a startup to get more hands-on experience.
“After LVC, I’ll be working at a startup in Venture for America’s network in an emerging city,” Malloy said. “I’m hoping to be in Detroit.”
Venture for America is a fellowship for recent graduates who want to learn how to build a business while making an impact. Venture for America fellows receive training, join a startup and work for two years at one of its hundreds of partner companies.
“I learned about VFA while I was visiting a friend in Detroit last summer,” Malloy said. “My friend had gotten to know some of the 2018 fellows and interns, so I spent some time around them during their Training Camp while I was there.”
After the stressful four-phase application process, Malloy believes it was all worth it in the end. Only about 10 percent of people who fill out the initial online application are admitted as fellows. The company has helped Malloy in successful résumé building, finding the right startup and what kind of information to include in a bio.
“One of the most useful things I learned was to always quantify your impact—include how many deals you closed during an internship, how many interactions your social media posts received, etc.,” Malloy said.
Malloy will be looking at social-entrepreneurship companies in Detroit where she can join a team as a designer or project manager. She also encourages other students who want to be a part of a startup or have an entrepreneurial spirit to consider applying for the fellowship as seniors.
“If you’re someone who believes in VFA’s mission and wants to make a positive impact in a growing city, definitely put yourself out there and apply,” Malloy said. “The VFA application process was intense, don’t get me wrong, but the whole thing also felt very natural and much less stressful than my other applications.”
For more information on the Venture of America’s fellowship program visit www.ventureforamerica.org.