Target Audience
Fellowships, Scholarships, Internships, Learnership, Professionals, Students, Graduates
Programme Overview
Many graduates and students are in need of tertiary funding, and they do not know what to do next if they fail to secure funds from family and friends to pursue their studies at the undergraduate, postgraduate, or doctoral level. This highlights the importance of having such fellowships to cover the financial gaps for tertiary study. Applicants can make use of fellowship programs to enhance their mentorship, career networking, and knowledge transfer. In this article, the author is going to share a general overview in regard to fellowships and how one can maximize opportunities in the fellowship field. Learn more below.
When one enrolls in a fellowship program, there are a number of benefits realized from it, which include the development of the career, financial assistance, links for opportunities, and academic resources. These financial allowances help the applicant cover accommodation, day-to-day expenses, food allowances, and transportation. When one joins this program, there are no hindrances for the graduates to pursue their studies.
Another benefit of fellowships is that you have a pool of mentors at your disposal. You get an opportunity to consult them on any matters arising pertaining to the fellowship program, be they assignments, projects, or career guidance. These are people with vast knowledge in all areas of life because they have been there before, and they are not shy about sharing their personal experiences as they have already crossed the bridge.
On another note, fellowships bring individuals from different institutions together for a common cause. Following this, there is the sharing of knowledge, where great minds meet to share ideas. These platforms also create a perfect environment to network and net-weave as they are exchanging notes. This creates a hub of opportunities that can transform the lives of many in the industry.
There is also academic support that is supplementary to these fellowships. This includes trainings, seminars, and workshops for various activities that will be held to produce the desired results, and this resembles the “house of Gemba,” where action happens. In these meetings, there are continuous developments, product testing, project tracking, monitoring and evaluation, etc.
Also Read: Internship Programs and Why They Are Important in Career Development. Learn More!
For one to apply for these fellowship programs, intensive and extensive research should be done to understand or become familiar with all the procedures required to complete the application. This is because rules and policies vary from one fellowship program to the next. Below is a detailed illustration of the procedures that ought to be carried out when one wants to apply for a fellowship program of their choice.
Firstly, know your academic background and the qualifications you hold so that you may know which kinds of fellowships can suit the available opportunities. Go through the fellowship requirements so that you may do your personal introspection on whether you meet their selection criteria or not, as you don’t want to waste your energy and resources if you know that you don’t fit there. Qualifications are key at this stage, as you would want to know where you stand before embarking on such an application journey.
Gather all of your supporting documentation, such as your CV or resume, well-written motivational letters, transcripts and certificates, recommendations, and proposals for the research that will follow the precise specifications of the selection criteria. At this stage, the institution website for the fellowship sponsor is your best friend, as it clearly outlines everything required for the entire process.
Lastly, submit your application, whether online or physically, depending on the requirements for that application procedure. Make sure you check all the boxes on your requirements checklist before you submit your application so that you don’t get disqualified. Always stick to the deadline so that you don’t submit your application after the due date. After your application, always wait for the review, and they normally state a specific period they are going to reply to.
Conclusively, the fellowship program is a catalyst for career development; don’t miss out. Apply, apply, and apply. Make use of fellowship websites and explore more, as each and every fellowship varies from one institution to the next. All the best in your fellowship application!
