Graduate Archer Fellowship Program Alumni Profiles
Laura Gorecki
Summer 2013 Archer Fellow
Internship: United Nations Environment Progamme
Education
The University of Texas at Dallas
M.P.Aff.; Spring 2014
Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Environmental Studies; Spring 2012
Career
Independent Nonprofit Consultant
Summer 2013 Archer Fellow
Internship: United Nations Environment Progamme
Education
The University of Texas at Dallas
M.P.Aff.; Spring 2014
Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Environmental Studies; Spring 2012
Career
Independent Nonprofit Consultant
“My experience as an Archer Fellow gave me a clearer understanding of how policies impact lives, and of how politics shapes policy. I now am inspired to work with government and nonprofits to help organizations better serve the public."
Q & A with Laura
Please give us a snapshot of your current position.
I offer consulting services to nonprofit organizations on topics such as fundraising, management expertise, staffing and staff development, and operations support.
What has been your general career path?
I now focus on the nonprofit sector. I did independent work for several nonprofit organizations after graduation, until I fell in love with the emergency homeless shelter I was grant-writing for. I then spent two years as their Senior Director of Operations. I am now back to independent work and travelling as much as possible.
How has being an Archer Fellow influenced your professional path and goals?
Before returning to college mid-career to change my career path, I worked in the private sector. My experience as an Archer Fellow gave me a clearer understanding of how policies impact lives, and of how politics shapes policy. I now am inspired to work with government and nonprofits to help organizations better serve the public.
What do you value the most about your experience as an Archer Fellow?
I value the expanded world view and insight I gained during my time in the Graduate Program in Public Policy. The city is full of history and culture, and the program encourages fellows to engage and explore, which really inspired my sense of adventure.
What was the most important thing you learned as an Archer Fellow?
Through living and studying in D.C., I learned how our government really works. It was a great way to bring to life the things I learned in classrooms and from reading textbooks.
What do you value the most about being an Archer Alumna?
I value the memories and experience itself. I loved living in D.C. and I did so many cool things and met some really great people during my time there.
What is your favorite memory from the program?
Inside the classroom, I really enjoyed Dr. Arbuckle's end of semester group project. It generated a lot of laughs! Outside of the classroom, me and two other Archer Fellows went on several adventures together, including kayaking on the Potomac, visiting Roosevelt Island, renting bikes to check out the city, and going to a music and food festival.
Do you have advice for prospective students?
Go for it! D.C. has so much to offer if you are willing to get out there and explore, and the Graduate Program in Public Policy is a great learning experience. Take full advantage of the free things to do in the city, and make the most of your time there. Create a D.C. Bucket List and do as many of the items on it as you can.
Please give us a snapshot of your current position.
I offer consulting services to nonprofit organizations on topics such as fundraising, management expertise, staffing and staff development, and operations support.
What has been your general career path?
I now focus on the nonprofit sector. I did independent work for several nonprofit organizations after graduation, until I fell in love with the emergency homeless shelter I was grant-writing for. I then spent two years as their Senior Director of Operations. I am now back to independent work and travelling as much as possible.
How has being an Archer Fellow influenced your professional path and goals?
Before returning to college mid-career to change my career path, I worked in the private sector. My experience as an Archer Fellow gave me a clearer understanding of how policies impact lives, and of how politics shapes policy. I now am inspired to work with government and nonprofits to help organizations better serve the public.
What do you value the most about your experience as an Archer Fellow?
I value the expanded world view and insight I gained during my time in the Graduate Program in Public Policy. The city is full of history and culture, and the program encourages fellows to engage and explore, which really inspired my sense of adventure.
What was the most important thing you learned as an Archer Fellow?
Through living and studying in D.C., I learned how our government really works. It was a great way to bring to life the things I learned in classrooms and from reading textbooks.
What do you value the most about being an Archer Alumna?
I value the memories and experience itself. I loved living in D.C. and I did so many cool things and met some really great people during my time there.
What is your favorite memory from the program?
Inside the classroom, I really enjoyed Dr. Arbuckle's end of semester group project. It generated a lot of laughs! Outside of the classroom, me and two other Archer Fellows went on several adventures together, including kayaking on the Potomac, visiting Roosevelt Island, renting bikes to check out the city, and going to a music and food festival.
Do you have advice for prospective students?
Go for it! D.C. has so much to offer if you are willing to get out there and explore, and the Graduate Program in Public Policy is a great learning experience. Take full advantage of the free things to do in the city, and make the most of your time there. Create a D.C. Bucket List and do as many of the items on it as you can.
