Foundation investments that expose the best and the brightest young people to potential careers in public service can help build the future leadership of this sector.

Barnard College’s Public Service Internship program, which provides stipends that enable students to experience work in the nonprofit and public service sectors while attending college. The program allows students to contribute to the social good while formulating their plans for future careers, and simultaneously provides a fresh new workforce for nonprofits around the world.

Shareese pursued an internship in the chambers of Justice Rosalyn Richter at the New York State Supreme Court, which gave her the opportunity to further explore her passion for family law and to gain practical work experience in the public service sector. Shareese graduated in 2008 and accepted an internship position with the Juvenile Protective Association, a public interest organization in Chicago, where she assists the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and the Juvenile Court in deciding how to best achieve a safe and appropriate long-term environment for children who have been placed outside the home. Shareese speaks about her public service work with passion and determination. Despite the cost of law school and student-loan debt, she knows that she will keep doing community service and advocating for children's rights. Shareese says, "I've been given a lot of opportunities, and it just feels right to give back."

With exposure to the social service sector, students are enlightened to their potential to help those who are less fortunate. The majority of Barnard interns incorporate their experiences into their plans for graduate studies and their career choices. When young people realize how much good they can do, they will be inspired to change the world.