Category Archives: college

America’s Best Cities for Young Nonprofit Professionals


Posted by ajlovesya

This weekend Forbes.com released their list of America’s best cities for young professionals. To determine which cities made the cut Forbes.com measured unemployment rate, predicted job growth, cost of living, number of high profile companies, and concentration of graduates from elite schools (which indicates concentration of talent and career minded people).

While reading the list I couldn’t help but wonder what makes a city attractive to young nonprofit professionals. On the one hand, these measurements are important for all young professionals regardless of sector. For example, nonprofiteers especially want their money to stretch far–since we tend to make less of it compared to our for-profit peers–and are anxious to thrive while supporting their cause.

Yet I think the measurements offered by Forbes are incomplete when it comes to careers in the nonprofit sector. I find nonprofit work to be an after thought, not really included as a serious career choice or its employees having unique employment needs. Beyond money though, a culture where nonprofit work is valued results in a stronger professional and personal network, a sense of being part of the city, and opportunities to grow. Therefore, I wanted to brainstorm some measurements that might be important to young nonprofit professionals:

Size, job growth, and types of positions in the nonprofit sector: Essentially a snap shot of employment trends in nonprofit work in each city. These kinds of statistics show how sustainable the sector is in that particular city and if I can grow there.

Vocal nonprofits and partnerships with for profit and government: This indicates that the nonprofit sector has a strong presence in that city and that they are equal players in shaping the city.

Rate of volunteering: A city with a culture that fosters giving back, keeping nonprofits and public service at the forefront of city life.

Number of active young professionals groups or opportunities for meeting: To me, more important than the presence of graduates of elite schools is whether or not they are connecting around causes that are important to them. How easy will it be to find my peers, especially if I am new to the city or the sector?

I want a city where public service isn’t seen as an afterthought or nice idea–it is seen as a critical component of city life and its sustainability is viewed as crucial.

New York City would make the cut for me. In New York City, employment in the nonprofit sector grew in 2009 while it shrank in all other sectors. The nonprofit sector also increased employment of people between the ages of 16-24 by 17%. I’ve been able to connect with tons of people and organizations through YNPN-NYC and various other young professionals groups–not to mention all of the conferences that are held here each year. I’ve seen nonprofits–from grassroots to large institutions–mobilize to protest budget cuts and work with Mayor Bloomberg in launching new initiatives to support the nonprofit sector. We making progress in terms of volunteering but that cost of living still gets under my skin!

What do you look for when choosing a city for your nonprofit career? Any cities stand out to you as being great places for a career in the nonprofit sector?

Other posts you may find interesting:

1.  Meeting Fellow Nonprofiteers in New York

2.  Finding and Landing Your First Nonprofit Job


Should student loans be forgiven in bankruptcy court?


Posted by ajlovesya

I came across this article this weekend that raised some interesting points about a push to allow private student loans to be forgiven in bankruptcy court:

If you run up big credit card bills buying a new home theater system and can’t pay it off after a few years, bankruptcy judges can get rid of the debt. They may even erase loans from a casino.

But if you borrow money to get an education and can’t afford the loan payments after a few years of underemployment, that’s another matter entirely. It’s nearly impossible to get rid of the debt in bankruptcy court, even if it’s a private loan from for-profit lenders like Citibank or the student loan specialist Sallie Mae.

This part of the bankruptcy law is little known outside education circles, but ever since it went into effect in 2005, it’s inspired shock and often rage among young adults who got in over their heads. Today, they find themselves in the same category as people who can’t discharge child support payments or criminal fines.

Now, even Sallie Mae, tired of being a punching bag for consumer advocates and hoping to avoid changes that would hurt its business too severely, has agreed that the law needs alteration. Bills in the Senate and House of Representatives would make the rules for private loans less strict, now that Congress has finished the job of getting banks out of the business of originating federal student loans.

Outside of bankruptcy there is already some movement  in tackling the catastrophic impact of student loans.  For example, after ten years in public service and consistently paying your student loan, the remaining balance can be forgiven.  When the health care reform bill was passed, included in the bill was information about student loans including the ability to cap loan repayments at 10% of a person’s income.  And finally universities and banks are frequently under attack for giving loans, with congress considering in 2008 requiring all schools to disclose any relationship they may have with a bank and simplifying the financial aid process.

Yet being able to have student loans discharged in bankruptcy court is another issue.  This article comes on the heels of another article in the New York Times about a young woman from NYU who owes over $100,000 and is struggling to pay it off, planting an image of the reckless 19 year old who will want to declare bankruptcy just to avoid her personal responsibility.  However, that attitude ignores the realities of bankruptcy: 90% of all people who file for bankruptcy do so for one of the following three reasons: 1) divorce 2) health crisis 3) job loss. And the process of filing for bankruptcy can be expensive, arduous, as well with long term financial implications.

It’s also insulting in that it assumes that taking out student loans with the intention of making enough to pay them back is  somehow more egregious than folks who take out loans to buy boats and cars for fun. There is a desire to scold young people for doing what people tell us we should be doing “Go to school!  Get an education!  Get a good job!” when all of these things are subjective and not guaranteed.

But the fact that you could discharge privately backed student loans in bankruptcy court before 2005 makes me wonder what the hold up is in readdressing this issue.  If we were to look back at data before 2005 on declaring bankruptcy, will it be skewed toward young people holding massive amounts in student loans?  How do we address other issues when it comes to rising costs in education like how many colleges often raise prices to be competitive not meet actual needs?  Is this a time to advocate for larger system reform when it comes to how we on an individual and national level finance education?

So what are your thoughts on the current state of student loans?


Reader Response: Finding and Landing Your First Nonprofit Job


Posted by ajlovesya

Do you have a question about developing a career in the nonprofit sector, navigating life in NYC, or working with social media?  Send me an email!  ajlovesya [at] gmail [dot] com.

A few days ago someone asked me:

What advice would you have for someone in college who is graduating this spring and searching for their first non-profit job?

Geez–is it that time of year already?!

Settling in from a relaxing winter break, classes are back in full swing and college seniors are taking that “What are you going to do after you graduate?” question a little more seriously. With the world of finance in disarray and a cultural shift towards public service, many are looking at nonprofits for career opportunities.

But where do you begin? How do you know what kind of job you want? Firstly, regardless of sector there are two questions you must answer:

Can you relocate? Being able to go anywhere definitely opens up the possibilities as far as jobs and allows you better examine cost of living. Make a list of cities you’d consider moving to.

What is the minimum compensation you can handle? Think of the average rent in the city you want to live in, factor in utilities, transportation, and student loans, and other debts. Those are the bills you MUST pay. Your job has to cover those at the minimum.  When I first moved to NYC I made $36,000 and created a budget using the 50-20-30 model from “All Your Worth.”

Also keep in mind that salary is just one type of compensation. For example, right after I graduated, I was in a public service fellowship run by my college. The actual stipend was low (about $500 a month) but my rent, transportation, and health insurance were covered, we received extra money each month for household needs, I worked four days a week, had money for professional development, and had the support of other fellows in the house. Additionally, I had my student loan (which was admittedly low compared to my peers) deferred for a year. For extra money, I got a job as a barista working two days a week, which was plenty.

And contrary to what you have heard, you should not take a job that doesn’t allow you to take care of yourself. Period. I don’t care if you land a job working for the Pope—if you cannot feed and clothe yourself you will be miserable, resentful, and want to leave the sector for good. Be knowledgeable about how much you need and should be getting paid and dont be afraid to negotiate.

Once you have answered these questions, spend some time on the following.

Exploring Your Interests:

  • Talk to people who have jobs that interest you: Informational interviews are a great way to learn about career paths and opportunities you may not have otherwise considered. What skills or education are necessary for certain positions? How did they go about landing their first jobs? What resources can they can recommend?
  • Think of causes you are passionate about: What have you studied? Where have you volunteered? What topics get you excited or possibly pissed off? Figuring out causes you love and where you stand on certain issues will you help you find an organization whose mission match your passion and values.
  • Reflect on what you enjoy doing: Do you like to work closely with people, offering direct services? Or to you prefer to be behind the scenes? Do you enjoy writing and research? Or do you like speaking and giving presentations? You may not know what you want to do in 5-10 years but you have a pretty good idea of what you enjoy.

Beginning the Search:

  • Talk with alumni and professors: Some departments may have relationships with nonprofits for internships and service-learning and can share with you possible job opportunities. Alumni may also have resources. Consider reaching out to them for an informational interview.
  • Hop online: Aside from job search websites like idealist.org and cgcareers.org, many organizations post jobs directly on their websites and via social media sites like facebook and twitter. Additionally, look into groups that work with young nonprofit professionals like YNPN or Emerging Leaders of the Arts as employers often share opportunities with those groups.

Landing the Job:

  • Redo your resume: The traditional resume, in my opinion, doesn’t work well for college grads as it focuses heavily on experience, when you may not have much experience or your experiences don’t fit in neatly together.  Instead you need a Career Launching Resume (CLR) that focuses on your assets, demonstrates your interest in the position, stands out, and is written like a sales proposal. Here is more information on crafting a CLR.
  • Demonstrate passion: Nonprofits always talk about wanting someone who is passionate about the mission of the organization. But what does that mean? In my post “What Does Passion Look Like” I discuss four key attributes that show you’re a good fit:  make sure you are knowledgeable of the org and key people, have your own ideas on the issue, and fit in with the org and its needs.
  • Emphasize match: No matter what position you are going for, you should always make it clear that you are the right person for the job. What past experiences have given you the skills necessary to fulfill the position? How do your values lines up with the organization’s mission?

I also recommend the following resources to help you with your job search:

The Idealist.org Handbook to Building a Better World

The Nonprofit Career Guide: How to Land a Job that Makes a Difference

NYU Wagner Office of Career Services and Experiential Learning: Career Planning, Assessment, and Informational Interviews (PDF)

Rosetta  Thurman: From Entry Level to Leadership

What challenges have you faced in searching and finding a nonprofit job?  What  techniques have been successful?  Please share your stories and ideas.

Photo credit: Deton Library


Launching a Career in Social Change: Résumé and Cover Letter Tips for College Grads


Posted by ajlovesya

This post was written for Nonprofit Career Month, a national campaign to promote awareness of careers in the nonprofit sector.

So you’ve decided to explore a career in the nonprofit sector.  Great!  However, if you’re a recent college grad, writing a résumé for your first job out of college is tough. Unlike traditional résumés where you can highlight previous experience that is most likely connected to the job for which you are applying, time in college is often characterized by random jobs and classes that don’t go together. How can you package and present your experiences in a way that demonstrates you’re a good fit to a potential employer?

What you want to send to potential employers is not a traditional resume but rather a Career Launching Résumé (CLR). Lauren Friese over at TalentEgg.ca defines a CLR as a résumé that focuses on your assets, demonstrates your interest in the position, stands out, and is written like a sales proposal. What do these four characteristics look like when applying for a job in social change?

Your Assets:

You need to demonstrate to an employer that you can do the job well and fit into the organization’s overall mission. What skills are your bringing to the table that will meet an employers need?

Showcase accomplishments not just duties: If the job you are applying for wants management skills, give data that shows how you increased sales or followed through with a successful project. Throughout your cover letter use key words like teamwork and resourceful to connect what you did and who you are with what the organization wants.

Your Interest:

A common piece of advice given when applying for nonprofit jobs is to demonstrate passion for the organization and its mission. But what does passion look like in a résumé?

Highlight any academic research related to social change: Did you use your thesis to examine the impact of educational policy on a local community? Have you explored business practices that address poverty or expand employment opportunities? Integrating social issues into research is a great way to show passion while developing writing and critical thinking skills. Since you are just graduating from college, this information should be at the top of your résumé and listed under your college.

Emphasize service and fit: In the cover letter, discuss the organization’s track record and how your skills can fit in with their future plans. If you have done community service before, put it on the résumé and describe. Organize your résumé chronologically but use subheadings and titles that demonstrate the skills and experience applicable to the job. Instead of saying “Relevant Work Experience” try “Community Leadership Experience.” If the job is managerial or administrative related, use related words in your titles and descriptions.

Standing Out:

Many of us have heard of the frightening statistic that most hiring managers only spend 30 second per résumé which means you have less than a minute to catch someone’s eye. How can you make a person keep reading?

Get a personal contact: 90% of all jobs are filled by referral. Try having an informational interview with someone at the organization you would like to work at and use that person as a segue into a job, or tap into your networks (alumni are great for this!) for contacts. Look into organizations that your college has a great relationship with and see if they are hiring. Make sure to mention personal contacts in your cover letter.

Selling Yourself:

In the end you are selling a product: YOU. It is crucial that the packaging is put together and there are no surprises. What is your best presentation?

Proofread and share: Print your résumé and cover letter out and read it the day after your write it to scan for mistakes. Share your résumé with peers for some fresh eyes to ensure that everything you’ve written makes sense and is easy to navigate.

Use social media wisely: “Googling” is all the rage these days. Make sure your internet presence is clean and interesting. Try starting a blog to build yourself up as a thought leader in the field or simply to discuss pressing issues in social change while developing your communication skills. Use LinkedIn to keep people up to date on projects you are working on while connecting with others who share your passion.


Approach College Like an Entrepreneur


Posted by ajlovesya

Jun Loayza recently wrote an excellent piece on why it’s a bad move to drop out of school to start a business. Some people feel that if they have a great idea, there is really no reason for them to stay in school.

At the root of this belief is a poor approach to college.  While in school we have a tendency to emphasize what we don’t like while focusing too narrowly on what we do like.  However, if you really consider yourself an entrepreneur it’s impossible to ignore the following resources colleges can provide:

Focus groups and product testers: All those students, staff, faculty, and community members!  Seriously, it’s research heaven.  If the group you need to work with is not on campus, most colleges have relationships with many organizations in their city.  Tap into those connections and ask if you can test out your ideas.

Mentors, networking, and learning opportunities: Colleges host conferences, lectures, and workshops often free or at low costs to students.  Professors and alumni can offer the one-on-one expert advice you need and might even let you work with them on projects related to your idea for more hands on experience.  Meeting people at events and developing mentors are what can further your career along and college is a great place to start building your network.

And nothing beats spending lots of time in the library.  Read up on the latest trends in your field, people making moves, and tips on how to develop your project.

Flexible schedule and limited risks: These are probably the greatest gifts.  Most of your basic needs are covered in college and unless you are planning something the risks the security and financial stability of the entire institution, your business ventures, should they fail, will not result in a catastrophic loss.   And you have more time, time that YOU have more control over, to work on your idea.  First class isn’t until 1pm and your shift at the café doesn’t start until 6pm?  Well, you have all morning to be researching and reaching out.

Funding and in-kind support: Some colleges have in-house funding opportunities for students or other kinds of support that you can use to launch your idea.  Website hosting, space for meetings, printing, internet access, and software are just a few of the resources that colleges may be able to offer you for free.  These little things eat up a lot of time and money when you are trying to launch on your own so take advantage of them!

What do you think are some of the benefits to staying in school as an entrepreneur?  What are some of the challenges?