Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal Level

After exploring some national organizations and federal agencies, I find three are of interest to me and working in these organizations would be beneficial to me.

The Erikson Institute, it works to "improve the care and education of children age birth to eight" through some academic programs, online programs, direct services to families, applied research, community partnerships and initiatives (The Erikson Institute, 2015). The community of the Erikson Institute consists of diverse walks of life, such as faculty, students, alumni, trustees, supporters, and partners, which indicates that the Erikson Institute to the largest extent supports children and families from different areas. If possible, I would like to have a job in this institute because I am inspired by its mission: to prepare early childhood professionals to help children to reach their full potential and to support families; to support stressed parents and help them build their strengths; to study early childhood programs to understand what works and why. I would like to work to offer direct services to families that need support; in this way, I would learn what exactly those families need for children and themselves so that the challenges that children face in their learning and development can be overcome. In this work, I think listening and communication skills are really important. By listening, I can acquire the essence of information that tells what families need; By respectfully speaking with families, I could offer informational support and exchange each other's perspectives, then implement some practical support for families. Meanwhile, I also need to acquire some deep knowledge of early growth and development so that families would trust me as a professional.

Administration for Children and Families (ACF), a division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, aims to promote the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals and communities to ensure that they are resilient, safe, healthy, and economically secure (ACF, n.d.). I especially appreciate its policies: it strives to make informed policy decisions and become a model employer, with a culture that values fairness, diversity and inclusion in the workforce (ACF, n.d.). I would like to work in an environment that embraces fairness, diversity and inclusion which I could learn in my workplace and then pass to children and families I serve.  However, I am not sure if I am qualified for applying the jobs since the jobs are intended for U.S. citizen or federal employees.

Zero to Three, the National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families, is "a national nonprofit organization that provides parents, professionals and policymakers the knowledge and the know-how to nurture early development" (Zero to Three, 2014). According to Zero to Three, "health and development are directly influenced by the quality of care and experiences a child has with his parents and other adults" (2014). This center touches on children's behavior and development, maltreatment, care and education, which is a resource date base for early childhood educators, parents and other adults who give care for children. I would like to work as an intern in its multicultural and diverse environment to gain a personal and professional growth and development, and a rich, substantive education experience; in this way, with my master degree in early childhood education from Walden University, I would be more competitive to have a teacher's role in the international school where I serve now as a teaching assistant. To work as an intern, I think basic knowledge of child development should be acquired; appropriate communication skills be learned in this place full of professionals to make myself understood and understand.

References:

Administration for Children and Families (ACF). (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.acf.hhs.gov/about

The Erikson Institute. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.erikson.edu/

Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.zerotothree.org/