Personal Brand Strategist
Career Reinvention and
Personal Brand Strategist
rbussin@AspireForSuccess.com
About Aspire! | Career Resources | Blog | Contact Us
A New Year, a New Career: Transitioning into the Nonprofit Sector
February 06, 2006
By: Randi Bussin-Career Coach, Personal Branding Specialist
During the holiday season, we have the opportunity to spend time with our families, be away from our jobs, and reflect on our lives. The new year brings resolutions, and for many people a new job and/or career are at the top of their list. Many Aspire! clients have approached me in the new year and expressed the desire to have more meaning in their lives, to give back to the community and to try on or expand upon new skills they have been using in other arenas of their lives. Many express the desire to leave the corporate world and try out the nonprofit sector.
In this issue of Aspirations, we will provide in-depth information on how to transition to the nonprofit sector, with a guest article from Bridgestar, an initiative of the Bridgespan Group. We also will provide tips on (1) how to start thinking about your move to the nonprofit sector, and (2) which skills are necessary to be successful in this sector.
As usual, if you would like to be removed from this list, you can click on the link at the bottom of the page. Do you know anyone who would benefit from the information in this issue? Feel free to forward this newsletter to them.
It is a new year with the promise of new things to come . . . What better time to think about putting additional meaning into your life and giving back to the community.
Yours,
Randi
Practical Advice for Switching Into the Nonprofit Sector
by The Bridgespan Group
The following pieces of advice have been drawn from 48 in-depth interviews Bridgestar has conducted with senior leaders who have transitioned from the for-profit and government sectors to the nonprofit sector.
1. Get some experience and exposure in the nonprofit sector before diving into a full-time position.
If you are truly interested in seeking full-time employment in the nonprofit sector, first seek out relevant nonprofit Board or volunteering experience. This will give you further insight into a few critical questions such as: is the nonprofit sector the right career path for you? What sort of work do you want to do in the sector? Furthermore, this experience will grant you a budding network of peers and colleagues in the sector and credibility in your nonprofit job search, demonstrating your commitment to the sector.
2. Have realistic expectations about what the nonprofit world will offer you.
Be realistic about what you are getting yourself into and be honest with yourself as to why you want to make the transition. Do not expect that a position in the nonprofit sector will necessarily bring an easier lifestyle or less stress. Similar to positions within the for-profit sector, there is a range of jobs and a range of experiences. Some have found that their positions in the nonprofit sector are more stressful and time-intensive than their previous for-profit position.
3. Bring your business skills but be thoughtful about their transition into the nonprofit sector.
There are many important things you can bring to bear from your for-profit experience and training. However, you must realize that some of these skills and experiences may necessitate translation into nonprofit applications and a certain degree of thoughtfulness in order to create impact. Be thoughtful about the changes in your work environment and what it will mean for your working and leadership style. Be conscious of even the minor changes you may experience in making this transition-even the language can be different. Invest the time to learn and use the lingo.
4. Overinvest early in listening and communications.
Be conscious and aware of any possible fears or misperceptions those in your new organization may have regarding your for-profit background. Ensure that in your language and your actions you address these fears, and be thoughtful as to how you convey your previous experience. Listen to your staff, your Board, and others in the sector. Take the time early to learn and ask thoughtful questions.
5. Seek peers and allies, especially in the beginning.
Find an ally or an outlet to voice concerns to in your first few months. Find someone (or several people) who can be a sounding board, an outlet, and a supporter; this person can be within or outside of the organization.
From www.bridgestar.org. Copyright 2003, The Bridgespan Group
Bridgestar (www.bridgestar.org), an initiative of the Bridgespan Group, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building leadership for the nonprofit sector through a member-driven community of individuals and organizations working together. Established in 2003, Bridgestar's goal is to attract, connect and support senior leaders and board talent - established and aspiring - for greater effectiveness and social impact. Visit their web site for membership details.
If you found this advice useful and would like to read profiles of nonprofit practioners and hear how they switched from the for- profit sector to the nonprofit sector, go to:
http://bridgestar.org/Learning/Library/Explore /Practitioners.aspx
Be sure to sign up as a Bridgestar member first.
Are You Ready to Think About a Move to This Sector?
If you are interested in making a move into the nonprofit sector, ask yourself the following questions and do a little homework before you begin to investigate different opportunities:
- What is motivating your desire to change? (Giving back to society, finding meaningful work, more work-life balance, or trying out new skills?)
- Is there some aspect of the nonprofit sector that piques your interest? (The arts, foundations, the environment, education, etc.)
- Is there a particular organization whose mission is a match for your values and interests?
- Are you currently doing volunteer work for a nonprofit? If not, how might your current network of contacts help you locate a suitable volunteer position? If you are, how can you deepen this experience and broaden your skill sets and knowledge?
Online Advice and Tools
Guidestar is a database of nonprofit organizations. This is a great tool for researching different nonprofits either by geography and/or type of organization. Guidestar also provides financial information on many nonprofits.
This site includes an extensive listing of nonprofit jobs, internships and organizations. Those who sign up for "My Idealist" will get daily or weekly e-mails of newly posted jobs that fit their requirements.
Bridgestar, an initiative of the Bridgespan Group, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building leadership for the nonprofit sector through a member-driven community of individuals and organizations working together. Established in 2003, Bridgestar's goal is to attract, connect and support senior leaders and board talent -- established and aspiring -- for greater effectiveness and social impact. Visit their web site for membership details, to view jobs and to read articles from their extensive library.
This web site is a nonprofit job center that includes the opportunity to receive a weekly list of jobs across many subsectors of the nonprofit arena.
www.execsearches.com/exec/default.asp
ExecSearches.com is a job board helping nonprofit, education, health care, and public organizations recruit fundraising, midlevel, and executive professionals.
This web site includes job listings and employer profiles in the field of philanthropy.
A job search by state with separate categories for featured jobs and employees is available at this web site.
Quotes of Note
"If every American donated five hours a week, it would equal the labor of 20 million full-time volunteers.
-- Whoopi Goldberg
"I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve."
-- Albert Schweitzer
"To desire and strive to be of some service to the world, to aim at doing something which shall really increase the happiness and welfare and virtue of mankind -- this is a choice which is possible for all of us; and surely it is a good haven to sail for."
-- Henry Van Dyke
Randi's Recommended Reads
Careers in the nonprofit sector
From Making a Profit to Making a Difference: How to Launch Your New Career in Nonprofits by Richard M. King (Planning/Communications, 2000)
This my preferred book and resource for people who wish to transition to the nonprofit sector. Richard King does a great job of (1) highlighting the keys to success in "bridging" (read his chapter on strategic volunteerism) and (2) how to prepare a resume for the nonprofit job search, which highlights transferable skills.
If you are not clear which subsector of the nonprofit arena will spark your interest, there is a nice nonprofit assessment tool in this book which will help you narrow down your choices.
Search: Winning Strategies to Get Your Next Job in the Nonprofit World by Larry Slesinger (Piemonte Press, 2004)
Careers in Nonprofits and Government Agencies, 2005 Edition (Wetfeet Insider Guide, 2005)
Transitions (Perseus Books Group, 1980), Managing Transitions (2003), and The Way of Transition (2001) by William Bridges
Transitions helped people understand and work with life changes, and all of Bridges' books are respected for their practical, easy to understand approach to transition.
The Harvard Business School Guide to Careers in the Nonprofit Sector (A Harvard Business School Career Guide) by Stephanie Lowell (Harvard Business School Press, 2000)
Marketing yourself to transition to the nonprofit sector:
Real Resumes for Jobs in Nonprofit Organizations: including real resumes used to change careers and gain federal employment (Real-Resumes Series) by Anne McKinney (Prep Publishing, 2004)
About Aspire!
Aspirations! is written and compiled by Randi Bussin, a career counselor and entrepreneurial consultant with 25 years of experience of corporate, nonprofit and entrepreneurial expertise. She leverages her extensive background to help mid-career professionals and entrepreneurs clarify their aspirations, develop the "big-picture" and set realistic goals in designing a career that reflects their personal values and passions. Through focused coaching, she helps clients make steady progress and achieve their career goals.
If you would information on our services, please feel free to email us at rbussin@verizon.net.
Sign up for our newsletter.
email: rbussin@verizon.net
phone: 617-489-7738
Use the following address when linking to this page: http://www.aspireforsuccess/weblog/14
Related Articles Career Coach Articles > Newsletters
rbussin@AspireForSuccess.com
