Why should you work as a Campus Organizer with the Student PIRGs?
To build the brighter future we all want, we’ll have to address some big challenges: From protecting our environment and safeguarding public health, to standing up to threats to our democracy, and protecting consumers from a predatory marketplace. Students have the greatest stake in solving these problems, and the passion and idealism to create the future we want. We’re hiring Campus Organizers to help students make the changes we need.
But how do you know if a job with the Student PIRGs is right for you? Here are 10 reasons:
- You’re excited to be at the forefront of building a brighter future for all of us by protecting our remaining wildlife and wild places, tackling the plastic waste crisis, eliminating electronic waste and ending planned obsolescence, and more.
- You recognize that we need to get people to pay less attention to the quantity of “stuff” they have and whether that’s fair or not, and to focus more on the issues that impact the quality of our environment and our lives.
- You want to realize your potential, and help students do the same. Throughout our country’s history, some of the biggest social change movements have started on college campuses. While the issues we tackle affect everyone, you recognize that students have the power, potential and motivation to reshape our future.
- You can see yourself training students on the civic skills and strategies it takes to make a difference. Students aren’t getting the skills they need in today’s classrooms to make a real difference on the issues they care about. We teach students how to organize educational events in their community, work with reporters to get media coverage for their campaigns, build grassroots support, advocate solutions to their elected officials and more.
- You’re ready to do the real work it takes to make change. As a campus organizer you’ll recruit, train and develop new student leaders to help build public support to get decision-makers to do the right thing, while also building the student power and resources it takes to sustain an organization for the long haul. Campus organizers work shoulder to shoulder with the students they are organizing. You are working directly in the communities with people, every day, inspiring people to volunteer for your cause, collecting petition signatures, hosting campaign events, and more.
- You believe in open dialogue. As a campus organizer you try to persuade everyone to our point of view. That means really listening to those who don’t agree with us yet, finding out where there is common ground, and being open to their issues and concerns.
- You want to be a part of a cause that has a long history and long-term goals for the future. You want to work somewhere that isn’t about hopping on the latest hot button issue of the day, but is looking forward towards a long-term vision for the future, and you are excited to find others to join that vision.
- You’re ready to work hard. For campus organizers there’s always one more person to talk to, one more text to send, one more signature to gather. Organizers lead by example, helping students step out of their comfort zone so they can become effective activists and leaders. We train our organizers well, but we expect you to be self-starting and capable of working independently.
- You like the idea that your work would be funded by small individual contributions, rather than a few wealthy donors. Most of our funding comes from students, who make small contributions via fees at their campuses. As a campus organizer you’d strive to achieve the most change possible for each dollar contributed. And you understand that non-profit work doesn’t entitle you to for-profit pay.
- You hold yourself accountable to your goals and you don’t have to be told to do what it takes to achieve them. And you’re willing to put in the time and effort required to gain more of a say in what your team does and how it’s done.
Watch this video to learn more about the position:
Help students make a difference right now
Right now, PIRG students are working to: protect our remaining wildlife and wild places, tackle the plastic waste crisis, help students register and make plans to vote, and more.
Build a brighter future
We all want to live meaningful lives and have a future that’s greener and healthier. By recruiting, training and working alongside student activists on campaigns that get results, you can help build that future today.
Things to know when you apply
The Student PIRGs work closely with The Public Interest Network, which operates and supports organizations committed to a shared vision of a better world and a strategic approach to social change.
Click here for things you should know about our network when you apply.
Ready to submit your application?
Underclassmen? Interested, but not yet ready to apply?
Register your interest here!