Get the Nonprofit Career You Want
Whether you are considering a career in nonprofits or have years of related work experience under your belt, getting more education can be the key to landing the nonprofit job of your dreams. To that end, there a few paths you could follow. By following these tips and advancing your education you can position yourself to land the nonprofit career or job you want.
Steps
- Get an MBA or MS in nonprofit management. There are a host of business schools around that offer degrees with a social entrepreneurial twist. Each of these programs consists of traditional MBA courses and curriculum specifically tailored to the nonprofit sector. Although an advanced degree is not required to work with not-for-profits, having the degree can give you a competitive edge when it comes to career advancement. It can also help you bypass workhorse roles within organizations and more quickly advance to your desired position.
- Attend conferences and workshops. These are another way to advance your skill set and improve your candidacy for positions. Educational workshops and seminars geared towards nonprofit professionals can contain a wealth of useful learning. Look for courses which cover such topics as advance fundraising techniques, creating technologically-savvy programs, utilizing social media, navigating a changing economy, and much more in a one day conference. One major benefit of attending conferences and workshops is that they are less time-consuming, more affordable, and often a better life style fit than an MBA program would be for entering into the nonprofit world. This is especially so if you have college loans or families. Also, in a changing world, it is essential to keep abreast of new trends and best practices to hone your craft and advance your career, even if you already know a lot.
- Volunteer. If you haven’t done so already, it is, of course, a good idea to volunteer with nonprofit organizations. Look up nonprofits in your area. Chances are they could use assistance with something, and it would be well-worth your time to give a hand. Volunteering is a good stepping stone to future positions and a great resume-builder. You also have the opportunity to learn on the go, and your temporary positions could become permanent.
