Sherlyn_Assam, MPNL
Since high school, my career goals have centered around storytelling and helping people who are trafficked for sex. I began at Carleton in 2016 with an undergraduate degree in journalism and a minor in political science. In my fourth year, I learned about Carleton’s philanthropy and nonprofit leadership program. Based on my familiarity with Carleton, relationships with my professors, and an engaged and responsive administration, I knew Carleton’s MPPA would give me the same challenging and welcoming education I received in the past four years.
The Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership presented me with an opportunity to work in a sector dedicated to serving people and improving communities. Previewing the fundraising, organizational development, public policy, and impact investing courses showed me I could research topics I wanted to pursue, while being equipped as a multidisciplinary nonprofit professional. As a previous communications volunteer at an abolitionist organization and a current communications employee at a media nonprofit, I looked forward to the theoretical and practical training the PANL program offered to understand every area of operation in nonprofits.
Three semesters into my degree, and I am content with my decision and hopeful for the future. Though my cohort is not together physically, we are still encouraging each other as we learn, eager to lend a helping hand. We come from a wide range of educational backgrounds and serve in several philanthropic areas. This, coupled with esteemed leaders and academics for guest lecturers, makes the learning process rich and exciting. The courses also operate through a feminist, intersectional, and postcolonial lens, equipping us to critique the nonprofit sector, which will ultimately lead to innovation and reform as we progress in our careers. I am excited to complete my degree and apply these experiences help me improve Canadian philanthropy.