Nonprofit Panel in Review

Hey all,


So I had the opportunity to sit in on the nonprofit panel last evening and learned a lot of really insightful tips. For those of you who couldn't attend the event, I've outline below some of what I think were the most important points made by the nonprofit panelists. Hopefully this information will benefit you as much as it did me! 

• It's all about networking. The best way to break into the nonprofit world is by using the time you have now, while in school, to volunteer or intern, gain experience, and most importantly build connections. Nonprofit organizations (as do most any organization in general) usually pull from their pool of interns/volunteers first when a job opens up before turning to the general public. As one panelist said: 
• When you volunteer you get to network. I can’t stress enough how important that is. You’re volunteering for a cause that you’re passionate about, and also making a connection that could lead into something bigger in the future. Relationships are very important in the nonprofit world. 
• Nonprofits can use people from every field of study and with any major, it's just a matter of finding the organization that fits your unique talents.  
• Nonprofits can, if you desire, become a career. Don't shy away from them based on the false assumption that you won't be able to make it financially or grow over time as a skilled worker. There's usually always room for growth, for moving up, and for living comfortable financially through a nonprofit organization. Also it's always important to look at the whole package nonprofits provide for you (better work/life balance, more control, more vacations, better benefits, etc.)
•  Nonprofit Organizations should pay you – they need to pay people a livable wage because they need you to stick around and do the work to keep the organization afloat. They will make it happen.
• The biggest needs in every nonprofit organization are with fundraising. Grant writing abilities, organizational skills, event planning, administration, management knowledge, financial planning and data collection, program operation knowledge, people skills, technical skills: all crucial and highly desirable in this field. 

Basically, don't let the stereotypes fool you! Nonprofits are an amazing venue to use the skills you have to perform crucial services needed in the world. If you find yourself in the right place, you'll be able to do things you're good at, work towards something you're passionate about, and make a living for yourself in the process. 

So don't wait. Get out there and volunteer now, build up your connections, test out the waters with different organizations to see where you fit, and in no time you too could find yourself doing something you love (and getting paid for it!) What's better than that? 

-Sarah

Careers in Nonprofits Workshop

I must be honest - when asked what I plan to do after graduation my go-to response has become "Nonprofit work". What does that mean exactly? I don't know. Which organization am I thinking about? No idea. But the thought of being in the Nonprofit sector has always thrilled me.

Which is why I'm definitely looking forward to our Careers in Nonprofits Workshop, coming up October 21, 2010 from 5:00PM - 6:30PM in the UC 4th Floor Main Student Lounge.


Whether Nonprofits have been something you've always thought about, or you've never even considered them before, this workshop will be a great place to get more information on this dynamic field, and potentially open you up to a whole new world of career opportunities.

It's an interactive panel discussion featuring a variety of professionals from the Nonprofit world, here to discuss career options, practical strategies, and tips for succeeding in preparing and searching for careers in this field.  With a generous question-and-answer period, this workshop promises to be both informative and a good networking event.

Anyway, I'll definitely be there. Hopefully I'll see you too!

-Sarah

Internship Opportunity

Attention all you people out there looking for an internship, we've got plenty of them! 


Just to prove it, here's a sample of what we've got on our Internship Exchange Website (which if you haven't registered for yet, what are you waiting for? It's our online Internship database, shared with universities all over the country like Pepperdine and Princeton, where we put up every internship that's sent to us, and where you can view every internship that's sent to those schools too.) 


Art Gallery Intern Position:


We are currently looking for a student to fill an intern position at our gallery in SOMA, 12 Gallagher Lane — A Hunt Slonem Gallery.12 Gallagher Lane is a permanent exhibition of the prolific and iconic American artist Hunt Slonem, and has just introduced a Visiting Artists Program. Interning with us would include researching new Visiting Artists to join the program, and to provide support with the current visiting artist. Other duties include assisting with administrative tasks, updating inventory, installation of works, sales support for consultants, event assistance, and research. The intern would work between 10-20 hours per week, unpaid (must be for academic credit), for the rest of the fall semester.


For more info and to apply, get on Internship Exchange! 


-Sarah