Fellow credential question-

[Guest]

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[Nathan.Seaburg]

Hello friends,

I am 22, a recent college graduate, and I am very interested to doing a fellowship with Kiva.  I wanted to get a sense of how competitive these positions are and the sort of things that make a good Kiva ,fellow beyond what is on their FAQ page.

I am worried that I won’t get the position because I don’t have “proven interest in microfinance” or any “Economic/Financial Background” to speak of.  I am trained as a journalist- writing is my thing and I can think of no better use of my pen-and-ink abilities than in helping the poor get loans.  I am from the US and have some foreign experience traveling in developing Mexico and Belize, but not a ton.

For people how know about the fellowship experience, do you think I have a shot at getting it for next fall?
What sort of things would help my chances?

Thanks for the help.
nate

[Tatiana]

I have no idea whatsoever how big your chances are, but wish you good luck with your aplication. We love well written loan reports!

[KivanSteven]

Hey Nathan, very noble work to devote your time to.  I dont think Kiva has ever made it known how many applications they receive for Fellows positions or what % actually end up making it.  I dont know much about "getting in" either, but the best thing to do is be prepared and be relentless.  If you are passionate about it and your mind is definitely made up, it will show through to the folks at Kiva and might help improve your chances.  Also be as flexible as possible in regards to times and locations--the more you can accommodate Kiva's needs and desires, the better able they might be to accommodate yours.  And also dont be afraid to email the folks at Kiva with any questions.  From my perspective and in my experience, they have always been prompt, courteous, and informative in their replies.  We wish you luck and all the best possibilities.

[cpbailey]

Go for it.  Kiva is a dynamic organization, and the growth is so fast.  There are more people willing to help than a year ago, and there are also more partners all the time.  I doubt statistics are really meaningful for long at Kiva.

Consider what they are expecting and highlight similar experiences and qualifications when you apply. 
You cannot win a race you don't compete in!

Colette

[Canadian Here]

Hi Nathan:

Hopefully, one of the KIVA FELLOWS will respond soon. I don't know what they know about the reason(s) they were selected, in preference to another applicant.  However, they might know of something helpful to add.

Meanwhile, good luck with your application!

Lorna

[ssnyder]

The fellows come from a variety of backgrounds (English, History, Geography, Business, Physics):
http://www.kiva.org/about/kivafellows/

The program doesn't seem to be limited to students majoring in economics or business.

Go for it, dude!