“Oh!” they would say. This is especially sure if you are working at a small nonprofit. good stuff). Now, she’s responsible for analyzing client data, assessing program needs, and regularly visiting Ubuntu's headquarters in South Africa. Then, about five years ago, the perspective changed. They are in no particular order. Rebecca Andruszka is an activist and non-profit professional who has focused on social justice issues. Make Mondays suck a little less. We aren’t all scraping by and exhausted all the time. The truth: Working in the nonprofit sector sometimes is considered taking a break from the "real world," with the implied assumption that it is not an option to spend a lifetime doing this work. One of the biggest potential draws to working for nonprofit organizations is the fact that you can use your skills to earn a living while still feeling like you’ve contributed to the greater good. And so, it’d be pretty crazy for an organization to use same methods over and over, hoping to suddenly produce a new outcome. Sometimes achievement comes with pushing yourself and your team to its limit. Life’s Too Short to Not Love Your Job: Why I Work at a Non-Profit By Melissa Suzuno, September 15, 2014 When you’re considering your career options, it’s easy to focus on large companies. The fact is, nonprofits can offer fantastic opportunities for individuals who are willing to work hard to make the world a better place. A lot of nonprofit and charities organizations rely on volunteers to get the work done, so they can keep overhead costs low and put more money towards the cause rather than paying for … And it turns out, such a wide range of experience can help you move up in ways you may not expect. Benefits of Working for a Nonprofit. Instead of starting a new organization, see if an existing organization — with all the benefits of an established organization — would be interested in having you work on that initiative under its umbrella. Working for a non-profit organization gives you the opportunity to work … I'll work fewer hours and be less stressed: Don't join a non-profit if you think you'll be spending more time with your family, because the reality is that you may end up spending even less time with them. People find ways to apply their specialized skills – be it … “That must be so rewarding!”. Why I Work in the Nonprofit Sector. Something like “Social Sector” might make it a little less negative. Win a year’s supply of hummus through NWB’s poetry contest! Nonprofit salaries are improving, and many nonprofits are adding value for employees through generous benefits packages and organizational culture initiatives focused on improving employee satisfaction… You’re Making a Difference. If you approach an organization and offer to help design marketing materials—for free—many nonprofits will be happy to bring you on board. Non-profit organizations can give you that humbling and affirming life experience. In fact, I started my own career as a volunteer for local anti-violence organizations. Sometimes it’s fun too!” All right all right, I’ll try to be more positive, starting with today’s post. Also, join the NWB Facebook community for daily hilarity. Nonprofits are information and resource creators Hollaback! 3. For example, when Hollaback! If you’d like to spend your days helping people, working for a cause or otherwise doing something to improve your community or the world, working at a nonprofit might be for you. Here are the top 10 reasons why our work is so totally awesome, like the best work ever on earth. o At a nonprofit you can work someone … And, voilà! The fact is, nonprofits can offer fantastic opportunities for individuals who are willing to work hard to make the world a better place. Suddenly, those same cocktail party attendees were excited to talk to me about what I do. It’s simple: Volunteer. When Rebecca is not in committee meetings, she is probably playing with her dog in Brooklyn. THE TOP TWELVE REASONS THAT NONPROFIT WORK IS A GIFT #12: You learn how to maneuver and manipulate difficult people with big egos and get them to do what you want (i.e. That need for ongoing creativity is one of the most exciting aspects of working in many companies, but it’s especially true for nonprofits. Flexible, lifelong learners who can take on multiple roles … When I am working to make the world better, I feel like my life has meaning and purpose. Despite the hurdles that come with working in the nonprofit sector, the industry has never failed to attract an energetic and passionate workforce. The Benefits of Working at a Nonprofit Those who do work in nonprofit jobs enjoy the reward of knowing that their work is changing the world for the better. Sometimes it’s fun too!” All right all right, I’ll try to be more positive, starting with today’s post. Working at a nonprofit, however, can be surprisingly rewarding, and not just because it allows you to make a difference while making a living. Nonprofit staff sacrifice a lot in order to do good: From long hours to dangerous circumstances, affecting change is hard work. Many … Working in a non-profit organization may land you to small pay-checks but then there is a virtual purpose of carrying the job roles. Working in a nonprofit organization gives you the opportunity to make a difference and be part of creating a lasting impact. Unsubscribe any time. It was something that hadn’t been done before, and it successfully ignited interest in how we can use technology for social justice. As a newcomer, you won’t only learn your role—you’ll have opportunities to learn what your boss does, what his or her boss does, and basically, what everyone else in the organization does, too. For most people in nonprofit careers, the biggest benefit of a nonprofit job is the ability to work with a cause for which you are extremely passionate. Nonprofit work, and the myth of indispensability, The courage for mediocrity: We nonprofit professionals need to give ourselves a break. They’re the ones with the big budgets and the cool stuff to hand out at career fairs. And in the beginning, my career choice often got me pity (and some slightly disgusted looks) at cocktail parties: “That must be, um, rewarding?” folks would say, sneaking a glance at my scuffed shoes. Also, join Nonprofit Happy Hour, a peer support group on Facebook, and if you are an ED/CEO, join ED Happy Hour. One of the best things about working for a nonprofit is how easy it is to get started, no matter your background. I can’t imagine doing anything else. Great. The “nonprofit” sector; an entire category of a capitalist society spending time and effort to accomplish a difficult task, but not bring home any bacon. In short, you’re not locked into one job function—you’ll gain experience in almost every department. “Vu,” she wrote, “I am enjoying your posts. Here are a few of the pros of applying for a job with a nonprofit. But, like I responded to those people at the cocktail party so long ago: It really is rewarding. These are great forums for when you have a problem and want to get advice from colleagues, or you just want to share pictures of unicorns. I went looking for clues as to why nonprofit jobs are popular and found them in the Best Nonprofits To Work For  , published annually by the NonProfit Year after year, the essential … Even the big multinational organizations like UNICEF and the Red Cross need more people. You should know though, average salaries for entry- to mid-level employees working at nonprofits are roughly five … Working in the nonprofit sector, you will encounter things that will alternately excite and frustrate you. A willingness to work for an organization … #11: You become a teacher. Here are the top 10 reasons why our work is so totally awesome, like the best work ever on earth. As an early adopter of a nonprofit career, I’m tempted to scoff at this surge of interest—but as a fundraiser and occasional hiring manager, I’d much rather leverage it. The smaller the organization, the more your work shows, and the more your boss, your boss’s boss, your CEO, the President, and so on, can see all of the work you are doing (and the results of the work … Add your reasons for why you love nonprofit work in the comment section. Probably the biggest (and most obvious) benefit that comes from working for a nonprofit organization is the potential to spend every day working … And eventually—because she was able to gain experience in so many departments—she worked her way up to her current position as the Programs Coordinator. Sure, there are tons of challenges and we are stressed frequently. When you work for a non-profit organization, you get to meet diverse people from various backgrounds and experience different situations. 15% off Career Coaching | Use code CYBER15 through Dec 13th |, interested in giving back to their communities, woman at nonprofit courtesy of Shutterstock. In 30 years of working with community based organizations, I would say that providing health coverage is part of a social contract that many nonprofit … Without the right background, it might seem impossible to get a foot in the door to land a full-time, paid gig. The nonprofit sector is full of preconceived notions. Although I didn’t pursue a full-time job in the organization where I volunteered, my supervisor there knew a manager at another nonprofit, where I was eventually hired. Sure, that also means you’ll probably spend some of your time making copies and running errands—but the Executive Director will likely be right there with you. is now in 62 cities and 25 countries and has its own mobile app that reports and maps your experience (and a picture of the perp, if you choose to take it). Add your reasons for why you love nonprofit work … It has been a while since I have done shop work but I don’t think you lose the passion to please the customer and make sure they always come back – I haven’t.” Don’t forget, you are half of the equation in the search for a job. set out to reframe the age-old feminist issue of street harassment, the organization started a blog that recorded instances of aggression. If you are young and starting out, having a nonprofit on your resume will get attention, even if you don’t continue working in the nonprofit sector. Then treat us like businesses. I love this work and the people I get to work with. She is currently in a senior development position at a national advocacy organization, and is an active board member and volunteer with a number of local organizations. If you work for a nonprofit, you more than likely would have said to friends: "The salary isn't the greatest, but the benefits are good." But, that’s not necessarily a barrier for a volunteer. In the same way, if (and when) you can come up with effective ideas that haven’t been done before, your creativity just may help people get the support and assistance they need. Why I Don’t Work For A Nonprofit by Nate St. Pierre on March 18, 2013 Over the past four years, I’ve had a lot of success in building global movements, which is a fancy way of saying that I’m … 13. So, you can be a program assistant who also helps out with grants, a financial manager who organizes the annual gala, or a grant writer who influences and shapes program goals. Here are a few of the reasons why nonprofits are such good clients, and why I love working with them: Nonprofits Know What they Want As an Account Manager I field calls/emails from prospects on a … Hi everyone, I got feedback from my ED friend, Director Lee, that I spend too much time pointing out the challenges of the field and not enough time on the good stuff that happens. They had watched TED talks or Clinton Global Initiative videos of experts in health, education, and democracy, and it finally made sense why someone would be interested in changing the world. I started working in nonprofits nearly 10 years ago. One of his final questions revolved around my continued involvement with this marvelous third sector and why I have been part of it for three decades. His question made me ponder why a bit longer after the … There you go, our field is cool and so is everyone in it. You have the chance to go home and share with friends and loved ones the stories of your work … And while that’s obviously a disadvantage for the organization, it can actually benefit you. Since I spend the majority of my waking hours working… Enter your email address below and get notice of hilarious new posts each Monday morning. Check them out. I mean it. By this time, the number of nonprofits had grown by nearly 25%, and Millenials, who were entering the workforce in the shadow of 9/11, were more interested in giving back to their communities. They are in no particular order. She has extensive experience in the non-profit sector, doing everything from research and communications, to fundraising and project development. Because these organizations have little money and high stakes, you’ll constantly be challenged to figure out how to fulfill your mission quicker, cheaper, and better and reach people in new, innovative ways. She may not have known that’s where she’d end up when she started as an intern, but the flexibility of nonprofits gave her that unique opportunity. In reality, the … But you gotta talk about the good stuff too. I won’t tell you that nonprofit roles are always the happiest or best-paid jobs in the world. Beyond the obvious reason of affecting change for something you care about, here are three more reasons you should consider working for a nonprofit. At least, not until my teeth tattoo idea takes off. 4. The nonprofit world is also smaller than you think—and volunteering is an easy way to make connections. Every nonprofit is understaffed. The term “nonprofit” refers not to your own wallet but rather the organization you work for. While resources may be spread thin compared to larger corporations, nonprofit employees are known to put heart and soul into their work. In fact, it can be incredibly frustrating to see overwhelming need and underwhelming interest day in and day out. Beyond the obvious reason of affecting change for … Most nonprofit … Ok, lets start with the benefits: (1) They are attractive to work at because they are mission driven and they offer A do-good feeling from working at them. But I agree with my friend Director Lee, it can be lots of fun. Nonprofit work is known for its mission-driven core. And, often, nonprofit positions … You have your “in.”. Subscribe to NWB by scrolling to the top right of this page and enter in your email address. Your work shows more. You are not in a fixed environment, where the things happen the … Not the least of these come from the name itself. Exploring the fun and frustrations of nonprofit work. Some advantages, like fulfilling work and kind coworkers, can be expected. For me personally, I mainly chose to work in the nonprofit sector mainly for the impact. Working for a non-profit organization can help broaden your perspective and the way you see things generally. The core purpose of such firms is to bring radical changes to humans and being in their team means working in a job with a generous and focused purpose… Katie Murphy is a prime example—she started out at Ubuntu Education Fund as an intern, but was soon hired on full-time as an Executive Assistant. For example, let’s say you’re interested in an industry that you have no education or experience in, like marketing. Why is making money a bad thing? People mistakenly think that working at a non-profit … If you are struggling to explain why … Get a notice each Monday morning when a new post arrives. Be treated like a person, not a number. They say insanity is doing the same things over again and expecting different results. It’s always fun getting to tell my friends that I worked my tail off, costing me a couple extra limbs, to graduate from a Big Ten school in four years – all to take a job a… If you’ve gotten this far and you still think you should start a nonprofit… Tips for not sucking when you’re on a panel, Answers on grant proposals if nonprofits were brutally honest with funders, Common nonprofit terms and concepts and what they actually mean, When you don’t disclose salary range on a job posting, a unicorn loses its wings, 21 irritating jargon phrases, and new clichés you should replace them with, All right, we need to talk about nonprofit salaries, Hey, you want nonprofits to act more like businesses?