The Switzer Environmental Fellowship Program offers more than academic funding for Fellows. A variety of resources are offered to provide career and professional support to the Fellows during their Fellowship year and thereafter.
A unique aspect of the Switzer Environmental Program is the Switzer Fellowship Network. This association of Fellows, Mentors, Leadership grantees and environmental colleagues is an effort to help Fellows link with others in their field of interest, strengthen and promote the work of Fellows and Leadership Grant Program recipients, and help the Foundation track the longer-term results of Fellows' achievements and professional development needs as they move through their careers. Switzer Fellowship Network activities include the Annual Fellows' retreats in California and New England and are open to all past fellows. The retreats are the keystone networking events sponsored by the Foundation each year. Numerous other convenings and gatherings are scheduled during the year and Fellows are invited to plan events and programs. The searchable Fellowship Network Directory helps fellows to find colleagues with similar professional interests or who live in the same geographic area. This website also has feature stories about Fellows, lists of jobs, resources, links and events of interest. The Foundation also produces a biannual printed newsletter, regular electronic news updates to the Network community, and provides a list-serv for the Network. A new effort is underway to create affinity groups of Fellows with similar professional interests.
Early in the Fellowship year, Switzer Foundation staff discusses career plans with Fellows on how they may apply their academic studies to the real world of environmental issues. We help identify leadership development opportunities to best prepare Fellows for their chosen career path. The Foundation can assist in finding a Mentor, or advisor to provide professional contacts, networking opportunities or other guidance. The purpose of a Mentor or advisor is to support and encourage the Fellow in attaining his or her career goals. Fellows can select a Mentor from past Switzer Fellows and other environmental professionals listed in the Switzer Fellowship Network Directory, or suggest individuals with whom they would like to work. This is an OPTIONAL part of our Fellowship Program and is meant to provide access to professional contacts and career guidance from a perspective other than what Fellows might have available to them at school.
The Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation is committed to supporting and enhancing the leadership skills and professional development of all Fellows, even after the Fellowship year. Professional Development Grants are available to fellows after their Fellowship year for training or conferences that will advance their professional skills and standing. The Leadership Grants Program is available to Fellows who have completed their studies and wish to partner with a non-profit or public agency to create a special project or position within that organization that applies their professional and leadership skills to a critical environmental issue. Funds are also available for collaborative projects among Fellows through the Collaborative Initiatives Fund.