Journalism, nonprofits and government
Not every path goes straight to graduate school. These programs pay you to report, organize or work in government, and many take students from any year.
JournalismPaid newsroom internships, like POLITICO's in New York (Oct 26), and fellowships after college, like The Atlantic's (Nov 5). QC students can start CUNY's journalism master's in senior year through the Newmark 4+1. All journalism programs.
NonprofitsA paid summer at a Brooklyn nonprofit through the Hope Reichbach Fellowship, a semester in Albany with NYPIRG, or a service year after college with City Year, Teach For America or NYC Civic Corps.
GovernmentThe Mayor's Office, the State Attorney General, congressional offices including Rep. Grace Meng's in Queens, and federal agencies. The CIA, FBI and State Department hire 6–15 months ahead and require US citizenship.
Looking for more after college? ProFellow's free list of public service fellowships for recent graduates has dozens more, like the Carnegie Junior Fellows (QC nominates) and the CHCI and APAICS fellowships on Capitol Hill. Its full database needs a free account. Some details on ProFellow are out of date, so confirm on each program's official page.