Every nonprofit is understaffed. It was something that hadn’t been done before, and it successfully ignited interest in how we can use technology for social justice. 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. “Oh!” they would say. Your work shows more. Beyond the obvious reason of affecting change for something you care about, here are three more reasons you should consider working for a nonprofit. His question made me ponder why a bit longer after the … 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. 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. At least, not until my teeth tattoo idea takes off. “That must be so rewarding!”. And, voilà! When I am working to make the world better, I feel like my life has meaning and purpose. Suddenly, those same cocktail party attendees were excited to talk to me about what I do. 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 … Unsubscribe any time. Add your reasons for why you love nonprofit work in the comment section. Working in the nonprofit sector, you will encounter things that will alternately excite and frustrate you. And so, it’d be pretty crazy for an organization to use same methods over and over, hoping to suddenly produce a new outcome. Make Mondays suck a little less. Without the right background, it might seem impossible to get a foot in the door to land a full-time, paid gig. 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… There you go, our field is cool and so is everyone in it. Be treated like a person, not a number. Beyond the obvious reason of affecting change for … It’s simple: Volunteer. 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 … 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 … 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 … 4. 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. 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. If you are struggling to explain why … 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. They say insanity is doing the same things over again and expecting different results. Despite the hurdles that come with working in the nonprofit sector, the industry has never failed to attract an energetic and passionate workforce. Some advantages, like fulfilling work and kind coworkers, can be expected. 13. When Rebecca is not in committee meetings, she is probably playing with her dog in Brooklyn. If you approach an organization and offer to help design marketing materials—for free—many nonprofits will be happy to bring you on board. 3. Many … 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. 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." 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. Then treat us like businesses. I won’t tell you that nonprofit roles are always the happiest or best-paid jobs in the world. But you gotta talk about the good stuff too. 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… Here are the top 10 reasons why our work is so totally awesome, like the best work ever on earth. 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. Get a notice each Monday morning when a new post arrives. Something like “Social Sector” might make it a little less negative. The term “nonprofit” refers not to your own wallet but rather the organization you work for. In short, you’re not locked into one job function—you’ll gain experience in almost every department. Enter your email address below and get notice of hilarious new posts each Monday morning. Nonprofit staff sacrifice a lot in order to do good: From long hours to dangerous circumstances, affecting change is hard work. 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. You have the chance to go home and share with friends and loved ones the stories of your work … And, often, nonprofit positions … Check them out. If you’ve gotten this far and you still think you should start a nonprofit… Great. 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. I love this work and the people I get to work with. Hollaback! Working at a nonprofit, however, can be surprisingly rewarding, and not just because it allows you to make a difference while making a living. 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. They are in no particular order. People find ways to apply their specialized skills – be it … Why I Work in the Nonprofit Sector. 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, that’s not necessarily a barrier for a volunteer. 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. Flexible, lifelong learners who can take on multiple roles … Nonprofits are information and resource creators 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. That need for ongoing creativity is one of the most exciting aspects of working in many companies, but it’s especially true for nonprofits. Then, about five years ago, the perspective changed. Win a year’s supply of hummus through NWB’s poetry contest! 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. This is especially sure if you are working at a small nonprofit. But, like I responded to those people at the cocktail party so long ago: It really is rewarding. 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. We aren’t all scraping by and exhausted all the time. You are not in a fixed environment, where the things happen the … 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. o At a nonprofit you can work someone … 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. Also, join the NWB Facebook community for daily hilarity. 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). #11: You become a teacher. Working for a non-profit organization gives you the opportunity to work … Non-profit organizations can give you that humbling and affirming life experience. The nonprofit world is also smaller than you think—and volunteering is an easy way to make connections. A willingness to work for an organization … Rebecca Andruszka is an activist and non-profit professional who has focused on social justice issues. Working in a nonprofit organization gives you the opportunity to make a difference and be part of creating a lasting impact. Exploring the fun and frustrations of nonprofit work. “Vu,” she wrote, “I am enjoying your posts. People mistakenly think that working at a non-profit … 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. good stuff). 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. I started working in nonprofits nearly 10 years ago. Sometimes it’s fun too!” All right all right, I’ll try to be more positive, starting with today’s post. 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… You should know though, average salaries for entry- to mid-level employees working at nonprofits are roughly five … In reality, the … Nonprofit work, and the myth of indispensability, The courage for mediocrity: We nonprofit professionals need to give ourselves a break. Nonprofit work is known for its mission-driven core. Here are the top 10 reasons why our work is so totally awesome, like the best work ever on earth. She has extensive experience in the non-profit sector, doing everything from research and communications, to fundraising and project development. 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. When you work for a non-profit organization, you get to meet diverse people from various backgrounds and experience different situations. While resources may be spread thin compared to larger corporations, nonprofit employees are known to put heart and soul into their work. For example, let’s say you’re interested in an industry that you have no education or experience in, like marketing. Working for a non-profit organization can help broaden your perspective and the way you see things generally. Now, she’s responsible for analyzing client data, assessing program needs, and regularly visiting Ubuntu's headquarters in South Africa. Benefits of Working for a Nonprofit. 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. set out to reframe the age-old feminist issue of street harassment, the organization started a blog that recorded instances of aggression. 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. Even the big multinational organizations like UNICEF and the Red Cross need more people. They’re the ones with the big budgets and the cool stuff to hand out at career fairs. Since I spend the majority of my waking hours working… They are in no particular order. In fact, I started my own career as a volunteer for local anti-violence organizations. Sometimes achievement comes with pushing yourself and your team to its limit. And it turns out, such a wide range of experience can help you move up in ways you may not expect. Also, join Nonprofit Happy Hour, a peer support group on Facebook, and if you are an ED/CEO, join ED Happy Hour. But I agree with my friend Director Lee, it can be lots of fun. For example, when Hollaback! 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. 15% off Career Coaching | Use code CYBER15 through Dec 13th |, interested in giving back to their communities, woman at nonprofit courtesy of Shutterstock. You have your “in.”. The fact is, nonprofits can offer fantastic opportunities for individuals who are willing to work hard to make the world a better place. The fact is, nonprofits can offer fantastic opportunities for individuals who are willing to work hard to make the world a better place. Subscribe to NWB by scrolling to the top right of this page and enter in your email address. 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. Add your reasons for why you love nonprofit work … Here are a few of the pros of applying for a job with a nonprofit. For me personally, I mainly chose to work in the nonprofit sector mainly for the impact. Sometimes it’s fun too!” All right all right, I’ll try to be more positive, starting with today’s post. I can’t imagine doing anything else. Sure, there are tons of challenges and we are stressed frequently. The nonprofit sector is full of preconceived notions. You’re Making a Difference. 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. And while that’s obviously a disadvantage for the organization, it can actually benefit you. Not the least of these come from the name itself.