NEW YORK, Sept. 29, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Today, the Volcker Alliance and the City of University of New York (CUNY) launched the second annual Paul A. Volcker Careers in Government Essay Contest. The Volcker Alliance hosts this contest in partnership with CUNY to support and celebrate students aspiring to careers in public service. The central aim of the contest is to advance student awareness about the opportunities that come with a career in public service, including opportunities for mission-driven, positive impact, innovation, and pathways for career advancement.
"The Alliance is committed to building a pipeline of undergraduates into public service. Through the essay contest, we hope to inspire more students to consider government employment and to celebrate those who strive to serve their communities after graduation," said Volcker Alliance President Thomas W. Ross.
The contest is open to currently enrolled undergraduate CUNY students. This year, two contest winners will receive $5,000 and one-on-one career coaching and support. Three additional finalists will each receive $1,000.
"This contest is yet another promising opportunity for City University of New York students to showcase the depth of their talent, energy, and commitment to serving their fellow New Yorkers," said CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. "CUNY is excited to once again partner with the Volcker Alliance to highlight the importance and promise of a rewarding career in public service. We are looking forward to seeing the innovative ideas that our students exhibit in their essays this year."
The contest is inspired by the legacy of the Volcker Alliance founding chairman, Paul A. Volcker, who was known for his lifelong dedication and commitment to the public good, and his distinguished, courageous service as chair of the Federal Reserve.
The Volcker Alliance and CUNY will be hosting a virtual information session to provide details about the competition on Thursday, October 8, 2020 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. EDT. The information session will feature Shirley Clarke Franklin, former mayor of Atlanta, Georgia, and Volcker Alliance board member, who will reflect on her experiences as a public servant and why she believes it is more important than ever for young people to pursue public service careers. The session will also feature Arslan Mohamed, a 2019 essay contest winner, who will share his insights on the contest and speak to his public service career aspirations.
The Volcker Alliance advances effective management of government to achieve results that matter to citizens. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization is inspired by the legendary public service of our founder, Paul A. Volcker, former chairman of the Federal Reserve, and his vision of a public sector workforce with the experience, preparation, and commitment to ensure that government is accountable and delivers with excellence. Visit volckeralliance.org to learn more. Follow us on social media @VolckerAlliance and subscribe to the Volcker Alliance newsletter for the latest news and developments. The Volcker Alliance is a 501(c)(3) organization.
The City University of New York is the nation's largest urban public university, a transformative engine of social mobility that is a critical component of the lifeblood of New York City. Founded in 1847 as the nation's first free public institution of higher education, CUNY today has seven community colleges, 11 senior colleges, and seven graduate or professional institutions spread across New York City's five boroughs, serving 500,000 students of all ages and awarding 55,000 degrees each year. CUNY's mix of quality and affordability propels almost six times as many low-income students into the middle class and beyond as all the Ivy League colleges combined. More than 80 percent of the University's graduates stay in New York, contributing to all aspects of the city's economic, civic, and cultural life and diversifying the city's workforce in every sector. CUNY's graduates and faculty have received many prestigious honors, including 13 Nobel Prizes and 26 MacArthur "Genius" Grants. The University's historic mission continues to this day: provide a first-rate public education to all students, regardless of means or background.
SOURCE The Volcker Alliance
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