The blogosphere is rockin’ with some really good stuff! Here are a few gems that came my way this week.
Jamie Notter tackles the corporate vs. nonprofit debate:
Neither nonprofits nor corporations are entitled to exist. So forget your tax status for a minute, and forget any preconceived notions that you have about the corporate world. If billions of dollars in resources suddenly moved to your mission, why would your organization need to be a part of the picture? Because your community is so strong that you can get things done quickly and wisely at the same time? Because the world trusts what comes out of collaborations under your umbrella since you carefully engaged diverse stakeholders? Because you add tremendous value to the community?
Zora & Alice host a fascinating interview with Thalia Theodore Washington, Executive Director of DonorsChoose.org about overcoming the challenges of negotiating as a young professional.
I went in knowing that I would be negotiating. That was a goal I had set for myself. So when I got the offer, I knew I was not going to accept on the spot. I prepared for that conversation. You know, “What’s the vacation policy? Is there a bonus structure? Is there a professional development policy?” Then, “Thank you very much, I’m so excited, you’re a wonderful organization, I’d like to take two or three days to think about it and get back to you. Can I schedule a call with you on Wednesday?” I practiced that conversation over and over again. And then I practiced for the follow up call. So they offered X; “I’m actually looking for Y.” I practiced scenarios, like what if they say no right on the spot? If they say maybe, then I have two other things I’d like to add in. I literally had a script right in front of me for every scenario. And I did not have that conversation in person. Some people might be different, but I needed my script. And I just felt more comfortable on the phone. Think about it and prepare for it in advance so you feel like you have control of the situation.
J. Maureen Anderson asks (and answers) some important questions about the “other” Gen Y that no one talks about:
Where is all of the research on and dialogue around the non-white, non-middle class Gen Y experience? Why do we only ever hear about student debt load and the plight of college grads who are moving back to the safe haven of Mom and Dad’s suburban oasis? What about those who never made it to college in the first place? Who don’t have the option to lean on their families, because these families are every bit as financially strapped (if not more so) than they are? What about young adults who, by virtue of culture, religion or upbringing, have different values or a different relationship to technology than those which defines the Millennial archetype? These young adults exist and in large numbers, but you wouldn’t know it from most media coverage of Gen Y/Millennials.
