Volunteer Voices

There are probably no words more confusing for parents to hear than those. Well, maybe “I’m majoring in Folklore and Mythology” (an actual degree from Harvard), but really…nonprofit leadership?

When I went to college, there certainly wasn’t a major like that. Why would there be? There didn’t seem to be many nonprofits to begin with, but with cutbacks in funding across the country, more and more nonprofits are springing up to fill the voids in programs and services. But to make a career out of a “good cause” is far different than having a “good career” – or is it?

Today’s students are bright, articulate and have causes they are passionate about. They know there needs to be balance between work and family and they are finding ways to meet the needs of career satisfaction and success.

So, what can I tell you about these fabulous careers in the nonprofit world? Here’s my advice to our young graduates heading out into the world:

• Change happens, embrace it. Know that the career path you choose at this moment or a year from now will most likely not be the one that you end up in. My degree is in finance. I worked in the insurance industry for a year, signed on for a “summer only” job in the family business and stayed there for the next 15 years. I then moved into my next career in nonprofit.

• Writing matters. Public speaking matters. The way you choose to communicate matters. No matter what job you end up with, chances are you’ll be asked to speak, to present and to write. A lot.

• Flexibility and willingness to learn cannot be stressed enough. There are literally hundreds of nonprofits that are huge and have opportunities in any arena you can think of – Livestrong, The Museum of Modern Art, National Public Radio, etc. If you choose the route of a “smaller” nonprofit, know that you’ll get to experience almost every aspect of any business. You’ll become your office’s IT specialist, marketing and social media guru and Quickbooks aficionado.

• Remember what your mom always told you, “Manners matter.” Please, thank you and common courtesies such as holding doors and personal notes really do make an impression and may be the thing that sets you apart from the next person asking for a donation.

• Take responsibility. If you make a mistake, own it. Mistakes happen all the time. It’s how you react to them that determines your character.

• Do the right thing, because it’s the right thing to do. People may not always agree with what you’ve done, but you’ll be able to sleep at night and that goes a long way.

• You will be challenged in ways you never thought possible, but will be rewarded in ways you could have never imagined.

• Success will be determined by the lives you change and the people you’ve met along the way. Frustration about fundraising and late nights is a distant memory when you hear someone tell you, “I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

• Compassion coupled with respect goes a long way. Know there are many shades of gray with each individual, case or family having their own story.

So, you think you want a career in the nonprofit sector? I couldn’t agree more.

Looking for volunteer opportunities? Check out the Volunteer Center website at volunteerdoorcounty.com or contact them at 920.746.7704 or [email protected].