About the CRL

Getting Started

• Career Resources By Major or Field
• Graduate School Planning
• Resumes and Cover Letters
• Job Hunting Online
• Get Help from a Librarian
• Workshops and Instruction

• Resources for:
  • New Graduates
  • Undergraduates
  • Graduate Students
  • Alumnae/i
  • Faculty and Staff
  • International Students
  • Jobseekers with Disabilities
  • ALANA (African, Latina, Asian, Native American) Jobseekers
  • LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Jobseekers
  • Women and Careers

Career Resource
e-Library

Choose your resource Career Exploration Career Search dbase Company/Ind. Research Fellowships and Grants Gap Year Grad School Planning Internships Internships USA dbase International Study International Work Interviewing Job Search Tools Networking Job Hunting Online Get Help from a Librarian Relocation Resources for Alumnae/i . . . for Career Changers . . . for Faculty & Staff . . . for Graduate Students . . . for Undergraduates . . . for International Students . . . for Jobseekers with Disabilities . . . for ALANA Jobseekers . . . for LGBT Jobseekers . . . for Women and Careers Resources by Major/Field Resumes & Cover Letters Salary Information Self-Assessment Transitions (new grads) Vault for students/staff Vault for alumni Workshops and Instruction

Library Catalog

• Search here for Career Books and more*
  *For a list of all books in the Career Resources Library, search by Non-LC call number and enter "CRL."
• Suggest an item for CRL

Related Resources

• Career Education Center -- Simmons career counseling
• CareerLink-- Simmons online recruiting
• CA$H -- Simmons work study and on-campus jobline
• Alumnet Professional Connections
• School of Management Library -- additional career and business resources at Simmons
• Study Abroad Office

Transitions: Classroom to Career

Funded by a Centennial Grant from the Alumnae Association
of Simmons College

Welcome to The Neighborhood!: Finding and Fitting Into A New Community

How do I find or create a community?
What other types of organizations are out there?
This sounds great! But what about a professional community? How do I get in contact with people who have similar interests or career goals?

How do I find or create a community?

Look for local organizations and neighborhood groups in your new community and get involved by volunteering. This can be a great way to meet new people as well as make some good networking contacts. When you go to Volunteer Match's website, just type in your zip code, and their database will show you what opportunities there are right in your community to volunteer your spare time to a non-profit organization. Aside from the great feeling that comes with helping other people, you can gain some great networking contacts, as well as adding more color to your resume.
http://www.volunteermatch.org/

Regardless of your acting or singing abilities, community theatre groups and youth theatre programs are always looking for volunteers for hair and make-up, finding/making costumes, backstage crews, lighting and sound people, directors, and actors. The American Association of Community Theatre's website features a searchable database of some of these local theatre groups.
http://www.aact.org/index.htm

Coaching or refereeing for local YMCA or The Boys and Girls Club games can be another great way to get involved with your community. The YMCA of Greater Boston's volunteer website lists volunteer opportunities and contact information for those who wish to donate some time to this valuable organization.
http://www.ymcaboston.org/, then click "Support Us," then click volunteers.
If you have at least an hour a week to volunteer, then check out this list of opportunities at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Boston volunteer web page.
http://www.bgcb.org/about_us/volunteer_opportunities.cfm

For additional resources on volunteering in the Boston area, see the Simmons Transitions page at http://my.simmons.edu/library/collections/career
/transitions/related.shtml#people

You can also find community through any one of the events or programs scheduled at (don't snicker, now) your local library. Those close to the Hub, for example, can take advantage of more than 50 programs each week at the Boston Public Library or one of its branches. In towns and cities across America, public libraries hold events and need help to put them on, or perhaps you can simply attend and connect with someone of similar interests. Sometimes, if you're stuck, a trip to the library can lead you to a book on a topic that opens up a whole new line of interest for you.
http://www.bpl.org/news/upcomingevents.htm

Community centers are locations where you can use your knowledge and experience to serve others and thereby make connections with other people. One type of community center focuses on the lighter side -- as a location for fun activities, sports, classes, and events. Another type caters to those with more pressing needs -- for example, those who need food or a refuge from domestic violence. Type "community center" and the name of your city or town into a search engine to learn about community centers in your area. To locate community centers in the city of Boston, visit http://www.cityofboston.gov/bcyf/search.asp.

What better way to meet your neighbors than getting active in your neighborhood association? These groups have various purposes, such as preserving the character of the area, helping to obtain services, keeping an eye on crime, and, in general, fostering a sense of community based on place. Many neighborhood associations have websites -- to find them, search for "neighborhood association" and the name of your city or town. A number of neighborhood associations in the Boston area are accessible via the Alliance of Boston Neighborhoods.
http://www.abnboston.org/

But just what is a "good neighbor?" The University of Alabama website has a few suggestions, such as getting to know your neighbors. The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology offers some party do's and don'ts. The Virginia Commonwealth University site leads off their list of tips with "You are a part of a community and your actions affect your neighbors." Finally, eHow.com weighs in with how to establish more connections with your neighbors.

Want a creative way to get to know your neighbors? Consider starting a book club. The website that houses "Book-Club-Resource" has a ton of resources for anyone who wants to start a book club, or even enhance the experience of a book club that they are already in. If you live in an apartment complex, make and distribute fliers to all of your neighbors, inviting them to your book club. This can be a fun and educational experience for you and your neighbors.
http://www.book-clubs-resource.com/

Finally, you might find a way to connect in the "Community" section of the well-known Craigslist Boston.
http://boston.craigslist.org/

What about religious organizations?

Religious organizations are groups that are associated with specific religions. Just about every religion has at least one group associated with it. Several are listed below:

Christian Organizations:

Catholic Charities' website states as the organization's purpose, "to support families, reduce poverty, and build communities."
http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/

Netministries' website provides a searchable database of "non-church Christian Organizations such as charities, ministries, and other organizations." Just type in your city and state (blank search fields are ignored), and Netministries' database gives you a list of organizations in your immediate area. This site is extremely easy to navigate.
http://www.netministries.org/cm_srch.htm

Jewish Organizations:

Andrew Tannenbaum's website lists many Jewish organizations (such as the American Jewish Congress and Boston Celebrates Israel), as well as Jewish schools and community centers in the Boston-area.
http://www.shamash.org/trb/jewish_boston.html

Muslim Organizations:

The Muslim American Society Boston Chapter website states as it's three-fold focus: "Enhancing our society's understanding and awareness of the values and principles of Islam, helping in the moral and spiritual development of Muslim individuals, families and communities, [and] fostering a culture of positive citizenship where Muslims are empowered and contribute to society, seeking to always better society."
http://www.masboston.org/index.php?section=1

Baha'i Organizations:

Baha'i Resources on the Internet, from the Internet FAQ Archives of Usenet Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). This website contains links to and brief descriptions of several Baha'i organizations that may be of interest to you. This site also has links to information about the Baha'i faith, and can be a great resource for those who want to know more about this religion.
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/bahai-faith/resources/

This sounds great! But what about a professional community? How do I get in contact with people who have similar interests or career goals?

See the Career Resource Library's page on networking for more career-oriented links.
http://my.simmons.edu/library/collections/career/ntwkg.shtml

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Page updated: March 10, 2007