Why do YOU want to work in Philanthropy (part 3)

Now that we’ve figured out why you’d want a job in the philanthropic sector and what kinds of jobs there are, it’s time for the third (and last) question. How exactly do you go about finding one of these jobs?

As I mentioned before, some of your best resources are going to be networking with professionals, doing informational interviews, and volunteering in the community. However, there are a lot of opportunities available through the online job postings and they’re a great way to see what’s out there.

My strategy? Regularly search a variety of sites for job postings. By using the search tools I’m able to sort through the postings to find ones I might be interested in. Note that by using all of them, you may find postings that overlap, but it’s better to spend a few minutes looking over the same listing than missing one you’d love.

Job posting sites that I’ve found useful include:

• Idealist (idealist.com) has soooo many listings – make sure to use the advanced search options and narrow down the listings, but it’s really great for discovering jobs you wouldn’t have thought about
• The Chronicle of Philanthropy (philanthropy.com), which has an average 20 new postings each weekday, mainly focused on fundraising and foundations
• HigherEd Jobs (higheredjobs.com), a good starting place for positions with colleges and universities
• Philanthropy News Digest job board (foundationcenter.org/pnd/jobs), which is conveniently organized by state and provides a variety of job opportunities
• Local listings, such as the Michigan Nonprofit Association (mnaonline.org/jobs.aspx) and Crain’s nonprofit listings (crainsdetroit.com/article/20080515/STATIC/60406002/nonprofit-classifieds#) if you’re interested in staying in the area
• Individual regional foundation association’s job boards, provided in a list from the Giving Forum’s website (givingforum.org/s_forum/doc.asp?CID=17&DID=6817), even though it’s a pain to search each of them and not all links are specifically linked to the job page, they can be great resources for jobs in both foundations and non-profits
• Individual university websites (such as umjobs.org), which again are annoying to search individually but will often have more details and more entry-level positions than job search sites

Of course, there are a number of other job search sites – some targeted to non-profit and fundraising, while other sites post a broader selection of jobs – but these are the ones I like best. Also remember that there are many, many job postings in the philanthropic sector. Take time to reflect on what you want in a job, what skills and opportunities you need to build, in order to find a job that “fits” even if it doesn’t exactly look like what you expected – remember, job titles aren’t everything.

Now that I’ve given away my good secrets on philanthropic job hunts, I’ve got to continue working on my own search!

Post by: Katelyn Videto, D-SIP 2009

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Why do You want to work in Philanthropy? (part 2)

Ok – have that question of why you want to work in philanthropy answered? Good, because you’ll need the insight to continue in the job search process. Only by understanding motivations and passions can we face the second question: “what kind of jobs could you have in philanthropy?”

Throughout nine years in the philanthropic sector and this job search, I’ve learned that there are more jobs in philanthropy (and with a variety of different titles) than I could enumerate. Want to work for a higher education institution, like the University of Michigan? Or a smaller non-profit doing hands-on work with people in the community? Maybe a job in grants management with a foundation would better suit me? Is it the mission of the organization that matters to me, or the actual tasks I’d do?

I’m still working on answering these (and many more) questions, but here’s some of what I’ve learned about the specific types of jobs in the philanthropic sector that has been useful. First, there are administrative assistant positions, which are good for getting your foot in the door. They can give you a lot of exposure and let you figure out what you like in philanthropy.

In fundraising, there are also positions in a variety of areas, including major gifts, annual giving, events, corporate and foundations giving, planned giving, stewardship, alumni relations, gift processing, prospect research, and many more. Development generalists work in a number of these areas and are typically called development assistant/associate/coordinators/managers, while specialists focus on one of these areas and titles are area-specific (ex – major gift officer, stewardship coordinator).

Other opportunities in non-profits include hands-on program work and management, grant writing, and volunteer management/coordination, depending on the mission of the organization. Program jobs give you the opportunity to work directly with issues and people while getting hands-on experience with a non-profit. In foundations, there’s work in grantmaking, evaluations, foundation programs, and fundraising – work covered by grant managers/coordinators, program assistants/associates/officers, and support staff.

I’ve listed a few job possibilities here, but the best way to research jobs in philanthropy isn’t to read a blog post – it’s by figuring it out for yourself. Peruse job descriptions to discover what fits with your work style, skills, interests and passions. Volunteer with an organization to understand their needs and challenges. Do informational interviews with people in the sector to learn about what they do, what kind of jobs they’ve had, and advice they can give.

Sounds like a challenge? Yeah, it is for me too. But, in the end, I’m learning a lot about the sector (and myself) while working on finding the job that’s “right”. Just gotta keep believing!

Post by: Katelyn Videto, D-SIP 2009

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My experience working in development

When I was offered my first position at a university, I wasn’t too intentional about my choice.  I was just happy to have a job!  Since my professional entry into the world of higher education, I’ve purposely sought opportunities in a variety of university settings . . . at the program level, dean’s office, and in central administration.  You’d be surprised how your vantage point from within an institution can have an effect on your priorities and sense of connectedness with the institution at large.

Along my professional sojourn here at Michigan I had the good fortune to serve in central University Development.  It really opened my eyes to how many dimensions there are to this field.  Annual giving, major gifts, communications, research, stewardship, events, legal services, foundation relations, planned giving, just to name a few.  And, at an institution the size of Michigan there are departments of development nestled within both academic (schools and colleges) and non-academic (museums, libraries, athletics) units too, which means your skills may even help advance one of your own personal passions—music, cancer therapies, emerging technologies, physics, 18^th century English literature, you name it.  Perhaps the most amazing thing about a career in this growing profession is the distinct sense you get of being part of something really special and bigger than yourself.  Universities are engines of the future, with a track record for permanence.  It’s pretty awesome to think that the work going on today may positively impact future generations.

I value the skills and knowledge gained while working in University Development.  I have a deeper understanding and appreciation for the role of private gifts to the institution, the powerful impact a donor can have on the lives of students (and vice versa), and the importance of always expressing gratitude to each donor—past, current, and future!  I can truly say I am a better professional because of my experience in the field of development.  

Post by: Melinda Richardson

 Assistant to the Director, Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education (CSHPE), University of Michigan

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The intersection of academia and philanthropy

University of Michigan School of Education

Several years ago I had a discussion with some university colleagues about the growing impact that philanthropy was having on colleges and universities. The signs were all around us as beautiful buildings went up, exciting new programs were announced and the influence of major gifts became increasingly more important. It seemed that the trend toward greater giving to higher education, while it raised some questions, was overwhelmingly a “good thing” and would only accelerate.

Still, we were struck by a couple of things:

• A whole new field of work was emerging in higher education: It was very exciting and dynamic. The influence of new donors, interesting new technologies and the rapid sophistication of fund raising practices was creating many new roles for practitioners. A different conversation was taking shape at the intersection of giving and receiving.
• Preparation for service in the field was still uneven. There was very little consensus on what it took to be a successful fund raiser and the capacities needed to effectively give money away were even less obvious.
• The profession, as it was starting to earn that distinction, didn’t yet represent the diversity of backgrounds and experiences—nor the breadth of disciplinary knowledge—that characterized the campus.   The next generation of individuals entering the field would be different in many ways than those that created it.

It was this last point that especially struck home. With university advancement officers sitting on executive teams and spending more time with college presidents than ever before, it was clear that fund raising and development were fast becoming intergral components of university leadership. At an institution like the University of Michigan, the strategic plan of every school and college was grounded in a plan for donor support. Faculty recruitment, student scholarships, program development and even a new roof depended on effective interplay between donors, deans and development officers. We were sure that individuals who would fill these roles needed to know a great deal more about college and universities as organizations including their traditions, values, decision patterns and challenges.

Working with colleagues from the Office of University Development and guided by previous graduates from our program in higher education administration, we have tried to build an integrated response to the observations we shared a few years ago. Undergraduate students are introduced to the field of development through our award winning Development Summer Internship Program, now in its fifth year. Through the Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education (CSHPE) we now offer a special concentration in our master’s program focused on philanthropy, advancement and development in higher education.  Both of these programs have demanding internship requirements and strong mentoring activities….and have attracted strong interest from applicants.

Some of our recent graduates are already making an impact in the field. Catherine Roosevelt and Elena Chesney are employed in fund raising roles at the UM School of Medicine where they did their initial internships. Joe Serwack recently was appointed to a senior communications post in the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.  Ayana Richardson works with the Baldwin County College Access Network helping to match students with scholarships for college.  We also have recent CSHPE graduates who have taken positions in major foundations or as development officers in schools around the country.

We think it is important that the graduates of our programs are finding opportunities on “both sides” of the philanthropic relationship.  This reflects our belief that the field is essentially a discourse between people who are trying to use resources in different ways to solve common problems, strengthen institutions and to improve society. Even more important than the money that is exchanged is the flow of great ideas. We want to instill a sophisticated sense of optimism that many things are possible whenever the will to bring change to the world is matched by the means to make it happen.

Contact Information:

 

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Thoughts from the first D-SIP applicant

In 2006, D-SIP began recruiting students for the first year of the program.  Brian Restuccia was the first applicant so we asked him to write down some thoughts about his experience.  Here they are!

When I was in my junior year of college, the University of Michigan career center was able to provide me with a lot of internship opportunities to help me decide what I wanted to do.  There were different industries and companies that I looked at, but one opportunity especially caught my eye.  I saw a listing for the Development Summer Internship Program and wanted to learn more.  As a student, I had been engaged in both volunteerism and campus life through my community service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega.  I saw D-SIP as a way to extend my relationship with the University that I love and get more involved in campus life.

The internship program was a fantastic experience.  Our program director, Kat Walsh, gave my time at D-SIP structure and pushed me to get the most out of my experience as possible.  In addition to the office experience, one of my favorite memories was a specific event.  Our internship group went up to Petoskey for an alumni event, and we were given the challenge of meeting and networking with the alumni at the event.  This pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me develop skills that are important to not just a career in development, but anywhere.

I had a lot of great experiences in D-SIP, made a lot of great friends and learned about the field of development, which I hadn’t even heard of before I applied.   I think that the most impactful thing I took away from my time in D-SIP was seeing the way that the University of Michigan has touched so many lives.  From hearing the scholarship stories of students that had been able to succeed because of donor generosity, to hearing about donor’s motivations about why they give, it was truly amazing to see the scope and magnitude of the impact that the University of Michigan has.

Looking back at that summer, I am filled with pride to know that I was a part of the Michigan Difference.  While I currently don’t work in the nonprofit world, my experience at D-SIP has helped me select where I do work and that is something that I will take with me wherever I go.  Seeing how the ripple effects of giving can touch so many lives makes it an important criteria for me in finding a company I want to work for.  Knowing that impact has also kept me active and engaged in my community once I left the University of Michigan.

 Thank you D-SIP for all you’ve taught me and all you’ve done for me!

–Brian Restuccia

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Another reason to appreciate Fridays

Don’t worry – there is coffee available on Friday morning class (thanks D-SIP alum!)  Luckily, the Friday educational component offers plenty to keep you awake and interested!

Plenty of interns enter D-SIP unfamiliar with the development profession and field.  Friday morning class offers an opportunity to explore the history of philanthropy, the psychology of giving, and the impact donors have within the university and Ann Arbor community.  Class time also allows interns the opportunity to discuss their projects – any questions about the workplace, research challenges, and accomplishments.

The best part?  The opportunity to hear from a number of university and community leaders about their philanthropic experiences.  D-SIP connects interns to major donors, dedicated Michigan volunteers, and nonprofit leaders.  These speakers help put the development experience in perspective, and offer candid advice about entering any profession.  We had the opportunity to ask questions and make connections with individuals who have had an incredible impact on the University of Michigan and the Ann Arbor community.

It’s safe to say that Fridays with D-SIP offer some of the best experiences you’ll have as an intern – and as a bonus, you can even take the class for credit.  If you have questions, feel free to email me at kbalzer@umich.edu – I’d love to hear from you, and I hope you’ll consider applying!

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My D-SIP Final Presentation

This summer I worked in the Division of Student Affairs, researching what other schools were doing in Student Affairs fundraising and figuring out how U-M could incorporate these ideas and make ourselves better.  The project culminated with a presentation to Student Affairs Leadership, namely, the Vice President: Student Affairs Royster Harper, and the four Associate VPs.

To say it was nerve-wracking was an understatement; I’m not the most comfortable of public speakers, so having to present to important people was terrifying.  Luckily, I had the two most fantastic supervisors, Alicia and Sonia, who gave me lots of what I needed most – practice time and encouragement.  I spent the week prior to the presentation in an empty conference room, going over my presentation.  I was able to figure out how I was going to phrase things, when I needed to breathe, what needed more explanation.  There were two other interns in Student Affairs working on other projects, and we were presenting our results in the same presentation.  I was able to use their feedback and support to figure out just what I was doing.

The day of the presentation came quickly, and it seemed like nothing was going right – I couldn’t find quarters for my parking meter, and the elevator I was in closed before I could stop it, right as one of the Associate Vice Presidents was trying to get on.  Luckily, she laughed it off when she recognized me in the conference room a few minutes later.  Still, it was mortifying to know I was starting the presentation as the girl who slammed the elevator door in her face – not at all how I was hoping to be remembered.

I tend to black out entirely during presentations, so I can’t tell you how I did because I don’t remember speaking at all.  I do remember their reactions at the end though – the three of us got a standing ovation and some of the Associate Vice Presidents had tears in their eyes.   They had a few questions, but overall, were incredibly impressed.  In fact, the Vice President was so pleased with us she invited the three interns to sit with her in the Student Affairs football suite with her at a game this season!

Stephanie, Amerique and I with Vice President Harper in the Suite!

The game was fantastic – sitting in the suites were incredible (and Michigan won, always a plus!)  To be honest, it was one of the coolest things I’ve done in my time at Michigan – I doubt I’ll be back in the suites for a while.  And it’s an experience I owe entirely to the D-SIP program.

 

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Live Each Day to the Fullest

I am at a crossroads in my life, I could call it a quarter-life crisis, but I am trying to stay optimistic. As I approach my 1 year anniversary of working for the University of Virginia Athletics Department, I am not sure I want to make it to my 2^nd year anniversary. I feel exhausted, undervalued, and uncertain of where this job is taking me.  It has been especially frustrating for me to spend countless hours, energy, and emotional commitment to supporting a student’s pursuit for learning, to find that the student does not even care about his or her education. They just want to play a sport and be done with it.  Regardless of whether the student has a positive attitude, respects you, or is even receptive to your help, you have no choice but to find a way to make sure that student is eligible to compete. Often, I have to allocate the majority of my time and effort to working with the rude, disinterested, and unmotivated while I neglect the driven, dedicated, and passionate student who wants to learn and use his/her education to contribute to society one day. The predicament that lays in intercollegiate athletics still remains is are you a student or an athlete? In reality, academics and athletics should not be mutually exclusive.

While, I don’t want to lump all student-athletes into this category causing my professional frustration because that is most definitely not the case as I have some incredibly wonderful students I am blessed to be supporting.  I am questioning whether the lasting and valuable relationships I’ve developed with the students, faculty, coaching staff, and my colleagues alone cannot sustain my happiness in this career. I recognize at the beginning of any career, you have to put in your time and be ok with doing the things you may not like to do, but I believe there should be light at the end of the tunnel and I’m not seeing the light.

A good friend of mine who works in the admissions office for the university took me out for a glass of wine to help me find clarity in my life and assess my reservations about staying another year. He’s been at UVA as a student and professional for about 15 years now so he is very familiar with the bureaucracy and politics that exist at UVA. Given his long years of experience he shared an interesting perspective. He listened attentively to my many woes and complaints about the department, things I like and don’t like, the way I am treated by my colleagues, how I don’t fit into the Charlottesville clique, how I really want to be in the development side of athletics, I never wanted to be an academic advisor, I want to live in a big city, etc…I was quite the negative Nancy. His response was simple. He read to me SH Payer’s Live Each Day to the Fullest.

Live Each Day to the Fullest

Live each day to the fullest.
Get the most from each hour, each day,
and each age of your life.
Then you can look forward with confidence,
and back without regrets.

Be yourself… but be your best self.
Dare to be different and follow your own star.
Don’t be afraid to be happy
…enjoy what is beautiful.
Love with all your heart and soul.
Believe that those you love, love you.

When you are faced with decision,
make that decision as wisely as possible,
then forget it.

The moment of absolute certainty never arrives.
And above all, remember that God helps those
who help themselves. Act as if everything depended on you
And pray as if everything depended on God.

~ SH Payer

And then made me recite multiple times, “When you are faced with decision, make that decision as wisely as possible, then forget it”.  He asked me how I felt 12 months ago when I was faced with the decision to apply for the academic coordinator position at UVA. At that time, did I make the decision as wisely as possible? I admittedly said yes. This was the right decision at that moment.  I sat there reflecting upon my experience applying, interviewing, and remembering the sheer excitement I had for the job and the line, “The moment of absolute certainty never arrives” hit me like an epiphany. Yes, I’m not certain this is the job for me or that it will lead to an athletic director position one day (my ultimate goal), but I will never know unless I try it.  Now, I am faced again with another decision. Should I stay or should I go. I have to make the decision as best I can now and realize that it is impossible to be absolutely certain that whichever decision I make was the right decision. My passion lies in the fund-raising side of athletics, so now I just got to find a door and walk on in.

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Post-graduation Advice I Wish I Had Received

While I may be on the other side (working in the real world and receiving a paycheck!), I can fully commiserate with the sentiments of recent graduates trying to swim (stay afloat) in today’s job market. It is scary navigating uncharted waters, especially when the 4 years prior were riding those waves.  I remind the students I counsel daily to fully embrace the time they have at UVA, don’t leave any rock unturned, and seek any and all opportunities you can manage and still stay sane! When I read, research, and basically live vicariously through the amazing educational programs (internship programs like D-SIP, study abroad, acapella performances, scholar societies, ect) a university at this caliber, much like Michigan, provides to its students I only wish I had someone like me howling down my ears. It is always easier to say, I would have done it differently, but I look at how lucky our students are to have the educational opportunities in front of them and I only hope that in whatever capacity they may listen, that they follow their heart and pursue a passion, not just a means to an end. When I was an art and design student at Michigan, I was so thankful that my parents did not pressure me to pursue a more logical and lucrative major like engineering or economics because I would have been desperately unhappy.  And while I am not making six figures or anywhere near that right now, I have a job that I enjoy and I am very good at doing. So when my students come in and tell me they have no idea what they want to major in or they just want to have a “job” when they graduate, I ask them to think about what it is that gets you excited to wake up in the morning. If you can find something that evokes that kind of passion – then go with it and things will fall into place before you know it.

Having just sent a group of very talented and driven 4th years (seniors) into the real world only a few weeks ago, each of them have expressed feelings of excitement, fear, sadness, courage, and anxiety alike. (On a side note, the University of Virginia, does not call its students freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors, but rather 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years. This unique terminology was developed  by Thomas Jefferson because he perceives students to be lifetime learners, thus by calling someone a senior it is suggesting that the student is complete with his or her learning). One of the more over-achieving students in the group is already on her way to graduate school at University of Texas, but the majority of these students are panicked because they have no idea what they are going to do next.

Should I just take a job just to have a job? Should I take out loans and go to graduate school? How will I be able to pay pack those loans when the job market is so slim? Should I move back home to save money? How do I know what I am good at? Will I be stuck in my first job forever?

These are all very reasonable questions to be asking at this critical time and while they seek my input, I don’t always have the right answer (I do try my best!).

I think Charlie Goetz presented the optimal outlook for recent graduates to take in his post, Whhttp://umdsipblog.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=432&action=edit&message=10at’s Best When It Comes to Jobs. In his post he argues “…that college students should take time when selecting a career rather than just taking a dead-end job…And I think doors will open if I’m patient. While this debate didn’t do much make me feel better about my job prospects, I think it helped reinforce my perspective—and gave me clarity on some the decisions that I will face as my job search continues.”

I forwarded his very sentiment to my students along with the series of articles, Is Any Job Better Than No Job,  in the opinion section of the NYTimes with the hope they would first, read it. Reflect. Be patient in making a decision and then once the decision has been made stride confidently into it, and work that job like you dominated the court, the classroom, the pool, the boat as an UVA student-athlete…( Get that competitive spirit stirring!)

Most importantly, I reminded them that if you are unhappy you are never stuck because  your first job is not your last job.

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Guest Blog: Devon Herrick, Penn State

Our colleagues at Penn State started their own internship program last year and have now begun their second summer. We wanted to invite former PSU intern (and current PSU alumna) Devon Herrick to share her thoughts!

It’s been almost one year exactly to the day since I began my first week with the Penn State Summer Internship Program in its inaugural summer of 2009. Myself, along with 9 other wide-eyed and eager-to-learn interns, were ready to dive into the world of Higher Education Development. Boy, we had no idea what we were about to experience.

PSU Summer Development Interns 2009

This entire process started for me back when I was a senior at Penn State University in the spring of 2009. I was a few months away from graduation and going through the inevitable “what am I going to do with my life?” stage that most college seniors face in the waning twilight of their University career. I had the great fortune of meeting a development professional who was new to Penn State (and who now is one of my best friends and colleagues here in Happy Valley) that was looking for an unofficial intern to work with her for the rest of the spring. I decided to jump on board and later found out that she was part of a group of development employees at University Park who were putting together Penn State’s first official development internship program, modeled after an innovative and successful program at Michigan.

Despite my innate suspicions of what a Michigan program could bring (I joke!), I was eager to apply and in the end I was chosen to work for the Smeal College of Business in the Development and Alumni Relations office for 11 weeks of intense development immersion.

Over the summer we were able to get true first-hand experience in the development world. I’m not talking about merely observing the practices of those we were working under, but really being put to work. Within weeks of my internship I was shipped to New York City to participate in a group dinner of young alumni working on Wall Street, all graduates of Smeal. My director at the time was able to seamlessly integrate my role into her strategy for the cultivation of these alums, and there I was: able to put a report of contact into my litany of new knowledge and experience gained through this internship.

The summer ended far too quickly and before I knew it, it was time to say goodbye to our mentors, classmates and development colleagues. The summer culminated in a wonderful ceremony where we debuted a video we created to capture the experience. You can view it on YouTube here:

My internship gave me the privilege of having a vast database of contacts to network with as I started to look for my full-time launching position in development and after interviews across the state of Pennsylvania, I landed, ironically and ecstatically enough, back at Dear Old State.

My current role as a major gifts officer is more than I could have asked for in so many respects. Not only have I been embraced through my transition from student to intern to professional, but I have gained the respect and encouragement of my supervisors, colleagues, and leaders at the University.

I am proud to say that I have received my first gift from a donor and have several major gifts “in the works” as a result of getting a head start when it came to understanding the sophisticated and at times, complex, network of development policies, procedures and protocols here at Penn State that will contribute to our new capital campaign, For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students (check it out at www.giveto.psu.edu). Obviously my affinity to Penn State as my alma mater comes very handy when speaking with donors (I often tell people I have the best job in the world for many reasons, including that I get to talk “Nittany Lion-speak” in my everyday routine!).

I also had the privilege of lending my experiences through this program at a presentation during the Winter 2010 District II CASE Conference in Philadelphia, Pa. This was a great opportunity to again spread the power of the program both at Penn State and Michigan (where we gave ample credit!) and see what other Universities and Colleges, both large and small, are doing in development.

It isn’t often in this profession that development officers are able to start their careers here right after college. I am beyond grateful for this internship experience exposing me to this work as before I hadn’t always known where my Public Relations degree would land me (stints at a magazine in New York City and in other various writing positions as an intern over the years were wonderfully telling for me as to what I did and did not want to do, but I still hadn’t found that career niche).

I look down the road and the opportunities seem to be endless. To have job that I love, in an economy that is struggling to employ its college graduates, and at a University of higher education that is not only “my” school but also has a thriving development field is such a thrill.

The class of 2010 is no different in energy and excitement and I am anxiously waiting to hear about their accomplishments with bated breath! Good luck to the next crop of interns…there are fantastic things in your future!

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