Nonprofit Success Tip: The Nonprofit Field is HUGE—Learn About It and Find Your Place
Much to the field’s disadvantage, the image of nonprofit workers is as follows: people toiling away at soup kitchens or after school programs to eliminate a social problem that will never end or the executive director/president who has either taken an organization to new heights or plummeted an organization to new lows. I joined the nonprofit world seeking to move from the former to the latter (obviously not plummeting an organization to new lows!). However, what I have found is that there is enough diversity in professions and places to allow me to explore what I want to become and how I need to get there.
There are accountants, lawyers, fundraisers, bookkeepers, graphic designers, doctors, membership coordinators, educators, program analysts, and more. Some have PhDs or MBAs, others have professional certificates, while some have years of hands on experience. Some work in large organizations with billion dollar budgets (hospitals and universities) while others work at a small local organization with just under $500K (schools and community centers). Some focus on health and poverty while others work on the arts and non-violence. The diversity is exciting—it’s like when you realize for the first time that there is more to being successful in the working world than being a doctor or lawyer.
When I started my job I thought that I was going to be an educator working directly with youth. However, since my organization is so small I was exposed to different ways I can support youth outside of direct service. I’ve since taken a great interest in development (fundraising) and spend time talking to the development associate, taking courses, and reading about the field.
Idealist.org has a great activity to help you find your place in the nonprofit world. Collect 50 or more advertisements for jobs that interest you because of their a. mission or b. job description. After you have collected 50 or more clips, sort them by job and organization (and there will be some overlap). Look for patterns and synthesize the information: what kinds of issues interest you? What kind of approach to this issue are you drawn to? What departments in the organization piqued your interest?
This activity provided some guidance in figuring out what career tracks are best for me and the types of nonprofit organizations I would most thrive in. Further, it also allowed me to see what areas I need to strengthen in order to succeed in my area of choice.
In order to be successful, you not only have to know the context of sector you are entering but you also have to know yourself.
Greetings, I’ve worked for non-profits for over 20 years. While I haven’t made much money, I have a secure position (at least for now) and have steadily increased my competence, confidence and experiences. And what about the plethora of tuition reimbursement benefits? HR reps in non-profits tend to consider applicants who have transferable skills rather than solely focusing on the exact skill set for a particular job. This makes career transitioning a bit easier for the unemployed and under-employed. Especially in my state of NJ where we sing “where have all the for profits gone?”
[Reply]
[...] I have stated before, the nonprofit sector’s greatest asset is its diversity, allowing a place for everyone. Money shouldn’t be an issue: there is no such thing as [...]
I definitely dig this article…I’m currently working in Fundraising and Development for a non-profit in LA. It’s odd, I am good at what I do; however, fulfillment is NOT there. I think it is because I don’t have a passion for the population that we serve and I know that I could be doing great work elsewhere. Nonetheless, the non-profit world is vast…perhaps I would like doing fundraising else where. I also wouldn’t mind working on the flipside in Philanthropy. I take it your experience in both is what afforded you the position of Development Director. Kudos to your progression!
[Reply]
[...] Nonprofit Success Tip: The Nonprofit Field is HUGE???Learn About It and Find Your Place | Allison Jones [...]
[Reply]
I have been battling with what career path I should take…and my incredible teachers in Political Science, Philosophy, African Stdies and Psychology have made me decide to aim towards starting my one non profit organization after completing an extensive study in non profit, theology, history, psychology and political science…I believe I can make a difference and prevent myself and others from being apathetic! Wish me luck…I plan on getting my Masters by the time I am 30!!! Look out for Dr. Eaves…
[Reply]