MENTOR NETWORK
Pesach Chananiah '07
He/Him/His
Los Angeles
Oxy Major/Minor:
Double Major in Urban/Environmental Policy (UEP )and Critical Theory/Social Justice (CTSJ)
Current Company:
Most recently consulted with the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development as Director of Faith & Ecology Programs
Current Position:
In between opportunities, interviewing for next position
Campus Involvement/Special Programs:
Started the club OxyConscious to focus on activism on- and off-campus. Liaison to student organizing with UNITE HERE, the union representing hotel employees. Student employee with the Center for Community Based Learning. Co-facilitator of the Intergroup Dialogue Program. Summer Organizing Fellow through UEPI, interning at the Los Angeles Community Action Network. Student intern for UEP 311 with LA Voice - PICO. Participated weekly in Buddhist meditation and yoga classes. Also participated in ORSL events, including 3 interfaith retreats.
Secondary Schooling:
MA / PhD in Community Psychology, Liberation Psychology, and Ecopsychology
Favorite MP/Cooler Food:
Sunday morning Huevos Rancheros!
Best Oxy Class:
Reggae, Rastafari, and the African Diaspora
Groups I Identify With:
Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, social justice-oriented
Bio:
I've spent the last 15 years developing skill sets in community organizing, non-profit program management, and education. I want to be a part of the mentor network because I don't feel like I received sufficient guidance around a career in social change and there's a lot that I've learned in navigating the field that I would be grateful to share with someone that has ambitions to start out in that area.
Career Advice:
It really depends on the individual's situation. In general, participate in as much as you can - campus events, internships/fellowships, student leadership - and continue with this approach throughout your life! Be young, scrappy and hungry! I didn't really learn how to do a cover letter until 8 years after graduation - and that made a huge difference. So certainly research the best formats and maybe invest in a professional resume/cover letter.