Thank you to all the Perspectives readers for engaging with me on this blog in the short time I’ve been writing! It’s been rewarding and inspiring to exchange ideas with you all about the nonprofit sector and social change. Now I receive about a dozen emails a day from readers about various nonprofit issues with questions or comments that I think are important to share using this public space for dialogue. Besides, I’m sure many folks are grappling with the same issues and questions and would benefit from seeing that exchange happen on this blog. So here’s the deal – every week or so I will try to post something directly from my inbox or in response to a reader question and I encourage you all to come out from the woodwork to join the discussion. Cool?
I just came across your blog Perspectives From the Pipeline and absolutely love it! I found a wealth of valuable information that I can’t wait to share a few people I know. I am a 25 year old African American female working in the non-profit sector that is looking to further advance her career. I have experience in fundraising, program development, marketing, event planning, volunteer coordination, communications, and research. I am looking to move into a management position, but feel that my work experience needs to be developed further. My current position has quickly evolved into much more than I was hired to do, and is giving me lots of opportunity for growth. In the near future I do plan on entering a Master’s Program for Non-Profit Management, or if possible an MBA program with a non-profit concentration. Do you have any suggestions on resources for networking or training/development? I would like do all that I can now to develop my qualifications to make myself more attractive for a Master’s Program as well as future employers. Thanks!
You’ve definitely got the right mindset of an emerging nonprofit leader and I’m sure you would be attractive to future employers with the skills you have developed so far! What’s still the most important thing in the sector is work experience, and it sounds like you have quite a bit of that. So I’d say you’re doing fine on that front, since the only way to develop “on-the-job” experience is on the job! And I’d say you’d look fine in terms of applying to a Master’s program – as long as you have your undergraduate degree, a decent GPA, and a big fat check to pay the university. I certainly reaped the benefits of getting a Master’s degree, but for me it was more about getting credibility versus skill-building, though I got that, too. I definitely endorse higher education for young nonprofit professionals, but you just have to weigh the cost against what you think you might make in your particular specialization – for instance I haven’t seen a Master’s degree in social work help anyone make a higher salary, since program positions are usually paid less. If you’re going the Master’s route, I’d encourage you to pursue a position in fundraising, human resources, finance, communications, or a combination of those. It sucks to incur all that debt if you’re not going to move forward that much on the pay scale, though you may in fact be in a “management” position.
As far as networks, I’d say to for sure get involved with the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network in Orlando or Jacksonville whichever one is closer to you. For networking and specialized training in fundraising, you should join one of the Florida chapters of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Your state association should also have a plethora of training in different areas of nonprofit management that you can take advantage of. Obtain the latest calendar of classes and pick one.
Finally, I would just say to remember that preparing yourself for management is not all about skill building or networking. It’s also about getting along with different kinds of people and learning how to motivate a team to achieve a common goal. Once you have all the technical skills, what’s really needed is the people skills and negotiation techniques to get the job done. And honey that is not what they teach you in graduate school believe me. All that theory gets thrown out the window when you have conflict on your staff or don’t know how to “rally the troops” to complete a project.
That’s where I am in my career right now actually. I’ve mastered many management areas, but I know I’m lacking in the “soft skills” that get you to the finish line. Fortunately, the greatest opportunity came to me this week – I applied and got into Columbia Business School’s Middle Management Program. They gave me a partial scholarship and my employer is paying the rest. But what’s really awesome about it is that it’s not another run-of-the-mill workshop line-up. it goes deeper into what managers actually have to do to get the job done. Columbia’s program promises to help me:
• Design and implement strategic program goals.
• Develop your ability to delegate authority and responsibility effectively and to manage upward.
• Use financial data to make strategic decisions.
• Manage conflict and negotiate to achieve win-win solutions.
• Cultivate your constituents to support fund-raising efforts.
• Enhance your agency’s public image and develop crisis-management strategies.
I start the program on Dec.3, so I can’t necessarily endorse it fully right now, but I’ll be sure to report back. Good luck with your career advancement, and be sure to let us know how your journey progresses!
Anyone have any other advice for Allison? Please share in the comments!
Rosetta, I feel like you have provided her with a ton of great information. The only other thing I would add would be: if you decide to get a Master’s Degree get it in something you love. I just recently spoke with a lawyer in the nonprofit sector who said the best advice he could have ever gotten was to get a degree in something basic and in what he loved. If you want to go into fundraising think about maybe getting a Masters in English or Communications. Skills from either of these areas would be exceptionally beneficial. Of course a Nonprofit Management Degree would be great too, but experience seems to be the best in this area.
As always, Rosetta, great advice. I have one other thought on this–
Start blogging. You’re a great example of what happens when you start a blog for personal and professional development. It has helped you connect with mentors and thought leaders you might not have met otherwise. It has also helped you continue to learn by processing your experiences. Not to mention the personal branding that you have going on!
Rosetta, Great inspiring sharing! In most aspects of our life, self qualification development is very important.
J.C. Carvill
Email: support@cosmosing.com
URL: http://www.cosmosing.com/jeanclaudecarvill/index.php