After graduating from the University in May 2019, Jackie Yelenosky didn’t follow a typical path, but she did pursue an option that is becoming more popular among recent grads who don’t jump right into a full-time job. More and more college graduates are exploring their options including gap years, experiences abroad, and, like Jackie, fellowships. In June Jackie started as the Williams Fellow at the University of Iowa Center for Advancement.

The Williams Fellowship is a donor-funded, one year long salaried position with the University of Iowa Center for Advancement that allows the fellow the chance to see what working in fundraising for the University is like. Where the fellowship was a rotational program through the different departments in the UICA in the past, it now focuses on being a Leadership Annual Giving Officer. With this change, Jackie has gotten to kickstart a brand-new leadership annual giving program by speaking with donors who give between $1,000 and $49,999 annually and who haven’t gotten a personal touch from a major gift development officer. 

“What I love about the fellowship is that the experience is really what you make it,” Jackie says. “Everyone is incredibly supportive, and you can tailor the experience to your interests. Coming into the fellowship, they knew I had a large interest in major giving, so I have been able to shadow Development officers on their donor meetings and overnight trips as well as assist with some of the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital corporate fundraising campaigns, which is a real passion of mine. The fellowship is full of support, education in the field, travel, making connections with amazing donors and no day is the same. I love it!”

In her time at the University of Iowa, Jackie studied Journalism and Mass Communication and also received certificates in Human Rights and in Fundraising and Philanthropy Communication (now the Nonprofit Leadership and Philanthropy certificate). She credits the Journalism school and philanthropy certificate with helping her hone her skills and figure out what career path she wanted to pursue.

“The School of Journalism and Mass Communication is something I am grateful every day that I was a part of. The written and verbal communication skills, the interviewing skills, and the ability to get huge projects done on time while meeting a deadline are huge assets in any profession, but especially this one,” Jackie says. “You really can’t go wrong majoring in Journalism and Mass Communication, as the skills you learn there will set you up for success in so many different professions.”

In addition, the Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership and Philanthropy provides undergraduate students with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to participate effectively in the growing world of nonprofit careers. The certificate meets the needs of students who have a desire to prepare for a career in a nonprofit role or to impact the nonprofit sector through volunteering on a board, committee, or project.

“The Fundraising and Philanthropy Communication certificate helped me realize my love for non-profits and that I wanted to work in one as a career!” Jackie says. “Not only is Jenifer Vick [co-director of the certificate] an amazing professor and certificate head, but each class gave me a new skillset that I didn’t have before and you get real life internship experience with non-profits in many of the classes.

"The materials you make in these classes can be used on your resume, and my experiences in those classes helped me get a summer internship that in turn then gave me the experience I needed for the fellowship. Additionally, the Fundraising Fundamentals class was when I realized I wanted to work in higher education and major gift fundraising, because we did a mock ask for a gift with a professional from the UICA. I loved the experience and the UICA professional that I had done the mock-ask with was an incredible mentor for me during that time, and now still is since coming to work here.”

It's safe to say Jackie is learning a lot in her time at the University of Iowa Center for Advancement, and she even considers this experience an extension of her education.

“I feel as though I am constantly learning new and valuable things in this position, and almost am viewing this year as an extension of my education in fundraising,” Jackie says. “I have learned about annual giving, alumni relations, major gift fundraising, stewardship, events, how campaigns work and are run, how to build stronger connections and am always improving on my communication abilities.”

After the year-long fellowship ends in the spring, Jackie hopes to continue her career in fundraising.

“This experience has already been so meaningful in the 6 months that I have been here and I know there is still so much more to come!”