The following information should help you prepare for each round of the interview process.

How do I best prepare for the application process?

1. Read our website!

Understanding how LACI works and what we do will illuminate what we look for in candidates. 

2. Go to an info session.

We hold two to three info sessions at the beginning of every semester before the written application. Again, the more you understand LACI and what we work towards, the easier it will be for you to relate to our organization and our work. 

3. Take it easy!

We understand that people have varying levels of experience with both consulting and nonprofits, so know that we do not consider resumés or professional/academic experience in the application process; all decisions are made solely from what we observe from your application and interviews.

Remember that we are students too and also understand the pressures of daily life at USC. The interview environment is meant to be a warm and welcoming one, so come prepared to show off your best self!

Consulting Explained

1. What do consultants do?

The primary job of a consultant is to help organizations solve issues or challenges that they are facing by conducting primary and secondary research. Examples of the types of problems consultants work with include: rebranding a program, assessing social media engagement, opening a new location, increasing employee retention, developing a new program, creating a pricing strategy, and many more.

While some organizations take on this task themselves, consultants allow for staff to focus their efforts on what they know best. They provide valuable insight and can serve as a fresh set of eyes for the organization.

2. What makes a great consultant?

There is no specific background that indicates someone will become the perfect consultant. In the university context, this means that there is no ideal major, career, or resumé item. The ideal background will prepare someone to solve complex, unstructured problems. 

That being said, consultants share a few common traits. They excel at working in teams, thinking critically, and communicating their ideas coherently in both speech and writing.

Nonprofits and Social Enterprises Explained

1. What are nonprofits?

Nonprofits are organizations that work to better the world in some way. Some nonprofits provide training services for the homeless, others educate about climate change, and others combat abuse against vulnerable populations. 

Nonprofits, in contrast to what their name suggests, generate a profit. The difference between a nonprofit and a company, however, is that nonprofits use their profits to reinvest in their mission.

Nonprofits can have full time paid staff but also recruit volunteers.  

Finally, the term nonprofit is one given to an organization by the federal government. Nonprofits, or 501(c)3 organizations, have a specific tax status and legal obligations.

2. What are social enterprises?

Social enterprises use a market driven approach to solve the same problems on which nonprofits work.

In practice, this means that a social enterprise will use its generated revenue to donate to organizations with shared missions and values, hire people who have difficulty finding work, or offer products/services that create positive social change.

3. Why is consulting for nonprofits and social enterprises important?

Nonprofits and social enterprises are responsible for fighting some of the world’s most pressing issues. Unfortunately, these organizations often lack support when encountering these various obstacles.

At LACI, we help these organizations work through these obstacles so that they can better achieve their missions and bring a positive social impact to the Los Angeles community. 

Have any other questions? Contact us at laci.personnel@gmail.com