For some students, the opportunity to solve the world's problems beats the allure of a typical 9-to-5 white-collar job.
During the MSU Call to Serve Fair, such students will have a chance to explore their career options with nonprofit organizations and government and public service programs. Job opportunities include volunteer positions, internships, part-time summer jobs and full-time employment for students of various majors.
The fair, featuring more than 60 organizations, will take place from 5-8 p.m. today on the second floor of the Union.
"We want someone looking to do something, who's looking for a challenge," said Noah Ullmann, a field organizer with the Public Interest Research Group and a 2004 MSU alumnus.
The Public Interest Research Group is a federation of state-based public interest advocacy groups and one of the many organizations that will be at the fair.
It will hire 100 graduating college students for positions across the country, including a base in Lansing.
Ullmann, who was a studio art and art education major, said he experienced difficulty when searching for a job beyond graduation.
He knew few options that would enable him to work on issues he cared about, including environmental protection and consumer rights.
Then he found the group.
"I am using my education to do 'good' work after graduation, ranging from working for a nonprofit, to campaigning for political candidates, to teaching," Ullmann said.
In his first year working with the group, Ullmann said he rallied people in Indiana about clean, renewable, homegrown energy solutions and worked with student governments in Illinois to make higher education more affordable.
Another organization that will be recruiting at the fair is the Chippewa Nature Center, which is based in Midland.
The center is a nonprofit, educational organization located on 1,150 acres of woodlands, fields and ponds. It will recruit day camp counselors, plant crews and adventure trip leaders to lead backpacking and kayaking trips this summer.
Rachel Larimore, director of education at the center, said the organization is looking for students of any level of education or experience, although knowledge of plants and experience with children is preferable.
The center wants students who will take pride in their mission, which is to inspire people to protect the natural world around them.
"We have a lot of (University of Michigan) students," Larimore said.
"We need some more green and white in there to balance it out."
Other organizations attending the fair include Clean Water Action, Grassroots Campaigns, Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, Homeland Security and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Many recruiters will accept cover letters and résumés to set up interviews.
Daniel Leland, an Environment Michigan Development associate, said the fair a great opportunity for students to find out about nonprofit opportunities they don't usually hear about.
"The fact is we always need people who want to work for the promise of a better future and yes, you can make a living by doing it, too," he said.
