NIB Fellowship for Leadership Development
Applications are being accepted – apply now via email fellowship@nib.org.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the NIB Fellowship?
2. What is the time frame of the Fellowship?
3. Do I qualify for the Fellowship?
4. Why would I want to participate in the NIB Fellowship?
5. How do I apply?
6. What happens after I apply?
7. When will I be notified?
8. What will be expected of me if I am selected?
9. Will I become an employee of NIB?
10. What kinds of support will be available to me?
11. What would a typical job assignment be like?
12. Where might I be assigned to work?
13. How do I find housing for each rotation?
14. Will there be travel during the Fellowship?
15. Will I be guaranteed a position at the end of the Fellowship?
1. WHAT IS THE NIB FELLOWSHIP?
The Fellowship for Leadership Development, sponsored by National Industries for the
Blind (NIB), is a salaried program that combines business-focused, on-the-job experience
with professional development activities. Both the hands-on and professional development
activities develop business competence.
The Fellowship is an intense experience and requires sincere commitment to the program
and outcome. NIB’s measure of success: fellows land professional and upwardly mobile
managerial positions either within NIB’s network of associated nonprofit businesses or with
the broader business community.
The program launches fellows in their business-oriented careers; therefore, completion is a
must and includes landing a professional managerial job. Toward the end of the program,
Fellows undertake a job search, with the support of NIB, and lands his/her new position.
2. WHY WOULD I WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NIB FELLOWSHIP?
The NIB Fellowship has been developed to provide qualified, business-oriented and
career-minded individuals who are blind with a fast-paced career path. The Fellowship will
provide the participants many opportunities, including:
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Experience – challenging and rewarding work assignments within the NIB network
of nonprofit businesses or with companies in the business community
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Potential – job opportunities open up because of participation in the Fellowship
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Learning – participation in various professional development activities
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Coaching – mentors will help develop leadership and management skills
3. WHAT IS THE TIME FRAME OF THE FELLOWSHIP?
The Fellowship is a 16-month program. The fellow relocates three times, gaining
professional experience in geographically diverse locations. The start date of the first
location is slated to begin June 2016. The targeted completion date is September 2017.
4. DO I QUALIFY FOR THE FELLOWSHIP?
Fellows are selected based on motivation, competence, experience, academic
achievement, references and interviews. Qualifications guidelines:
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A four-year undergraduate degree or post-graduate work
Professional work experience
Commitment to landing a professional managerial job at the end of the program
Well-developed proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Word, Excel,
Office, and PowerPoint) and Web-based research
Experience in conducting themselves in professional environments
Experience in independent travel
Prepared to relocate as necessary for work assignments across the U.S.
Prepared to professionally handle frequent business travel during the Fellowship
5. HOW DO I APPLY?
The form can be found at the NIB website in the Business Leaders Program section,
www.nib.org. A complete application package – due February 12, 2016 – includes the
form, your resume and two letters of recommendation sent via fellowship@nib.org.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact Karen Pal, NIB Business Leaders
Program Director at fellowship@nib.org or 703.310-0515.
6. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I APPLY?
Applications are reviewed by an advisory panel. Suitable candidates will participate in
phone interviews. Eligible candidates will have in-person interviews in Feb/Mar 2016.
7. WHEN WILL I BE NOTIFIED?
Selected candidates will be notified with an offer following the in-person interviews. This
offer will indicate the specific salary and benefits associated with the Fellowship, as well as
the fellow’s first work assignment location. Candidates who are not selected will be notified
once all positions are filled.
8. WHAT WILL BE EXPECTED OF ME IF I AM SELECTED?
Each fellow will be required to sign an agreement with NIB that outlines commitments by
both parties for the duration of the Fellowship. All fellows will be required to begin work on
the same designated date. The exact start day will be provided when the candidate is
offered a Fellowship position.
A fellow’s performance will be formally reviewed at regular intervals – the feedback is
necessary to improve and develop professionally. Fellows will be expected to conduct
themselves professionally, be an asset to the worksite and actively participate in
Fellowship-related activities. Fellows are expected to meet NIB’s high expectations in
terms of performance and conduct – poor performance will lead to termination.
Fellowship completion includes landing a professional managerial position in the for-profit
or not-for-profit business world.
9. WILL I BECOME AN EMPLOYEE OF NIB?
Yes. Fellows undergo NIB Employee Orientation, and the fellows will participate in a
number of opportunities to familiarize themselves with NIB and the expectations of the
Fellowship. Employment includes:
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Salary
Benefits (e.g., life, health and dental insurance, and accrued personal paid leave)
Relocation assistance
NIB contact persons available for personal or programmatic questions and issues
10. WHAT KINDS OF SUPPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ME?
Fellows will have the following resources:
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The NIB Human Resources team will be available throughout the program for
professional, programmatic and relocation questions, concerns and issues as well
as personnel and employment questions, concerns and issues.
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At each assigned location, there will be a supervisor for each work assignment as
well as a mentor for the duration of the rotation.
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The fellows will be provided a new laptop computer and software; and at each work
location, fellows will be provided office facilities to complete assignments.
11. WHAT WOULD A TYPICAL JOB ASSIGNMENT BE LIKE?
Fellows’ assignments will be comprised of work and on-the-job learning. Each work
assignment will be a key professional position, including responsibilities that encourage
growth and professional development. The assignments will aid in building business
acumen and skills in management and leadership as well as encourage gathering a
holistic view of a business. The fellow’s work will be value-added. Although the fellow is
asked for input, the locations are determined by NIB
12. WHERE MIGHT I BE ASSIGNED TO WORK?
NIB includes a network of associated agencies and will be in the position to identify
locations that will best serve the Fellowship goals. The NIB website includes a list of the
associated agencies; however, not all agencies are eligible as a host site. NIB works with
companies outside the NIB network who are interested in partnering to serve as a
“Fellowship host.”
13. HOW DO I FIND HOUSING AT EACH LOCATION?
Prior to starting each rotation, the fellows will be informed of their new job sites with
enough time to visit the assigned location and procure housing in advance. Fellows will
determine their own place to live for each job rotation, and the cost of housing will be
covered by the fellow. Some relocation costs are covered by NIB (e.g., moving by a
professional van line and air travel). Guidance will be provided to help find housing in the
community as well as discuss transportation options and related local issues.
14. WILL THERE BE TRAVEL DURING THE FELLOWSHIP?
The amount of travel expected of fellows will vary during the Fellowship, depending upon
the path taken. NIB-related travel expenses will be covered by NIB, the fellow will be
expected to travel proficiently and independently, capably handling public local
transportation and air travel. Personal travel cost is the responsibility of the fellow.
15. WILL I BE GUARANTEED A POSITION AT THE END OF THE FELLOWSHIP?
Assuming successful completion of all the requirements, fellows will land full-time
professional managerial positions as part of the Fellowship. All previous fellows who
commenced a job search have landed jobs, such as Business Development Manager,
Plant Supervisor, and Assistant Comptroller.