D-SIP interns have worked on various projects in the past 5 years. Please check out our new archive highlighting some of these projects, the impact they have had and the skills interns have walked away with!
http://umdsipshowcase.wordpress.com/
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:
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
Leadership is one of the competencies considered during the selection process of our interns, so it is no surprise that our alumni can do great things. But, what does surprise us is what they do. Because of the impressive work completed by our interns, two newly created awards have been, and will be given out annually at the D-SIP Closing Ceremony.
One of these awards is given to an individual who works in the development profession and remains steadfast in making the profession better in some capacity. This award, the Chrissi Rawak Award of Distinction in Development, is named after Chrissi Rawak whose vision was critical in the creation the Development Summer Internship Program. Although the impact of her work goes beyond students, her passion for creating a pipeline for students to enter into the development profession has created a transformative experience for many U-M undergraduates.
The other award granted this year was the Block M of Honor for Community Impact. This award is given to an individual that has made an impact in their community.
Without further ado, let’s meet the honorees.
Amy Pfaehler, D-SIP 2007, was granted the Chrissi Rawak Award for Distinction in Development. Just as Chrissi helped to create a pipeline into the profession for young professionals, Amy continued such work for D-SIP alumni. An advocate for development work, Amy gladly met with all D-SIP alum searching for jobs in the D.C. area and provided guidance. In fact, her help led one of our alumni right into another political fundraising position in D.C.
The Block M of Honor for Community Impact was given to Nick Glauch, D-SIP 2007. Nick was responsible for raising 25,000 dollars for an endowment he established for his local 
high school. He achieved his goal due to his ability to work with the senior class, alumni, and community members. In today’s economy, such an endowment is quite an accomplishment and, even more, a great help to his high school.
Congratulations Amy and Nick!
Even though it is less than an hour away, it is surprising how many U-M students do not visit Detroit while studying at the University. As a city rich in philanthropic spirit, Detroit was an excellent choice for this year’s annual D-SIP retreat.
Interns spent their first day learning about careers in philanthropy, and Detroit specific philanthropy. Many guest speakers spoke to the missions of their organizations revealing the power of giving and private support in the revitalization efforts for Detroit.
At dinner, our interns received messaging as future young professionals from current young professionals who chose to work and live in Detroit. In sharing their experiences, the young professionals portrayed a Detroit very different from that presented in the media. Interns left dinner wondering how they could make a difference with their careers of choice, and perhaps even a difference in Detroit.
But, perhaps, the best way to explain the impact of this retreat and the interns’ views of the city is to ask them!
of the city. I think that the D-SIP retreat showed us that Detroit is not merely a backdrop for service learning, but also a dynamic and vibrant city that is overcoming tremendous adversity. I hope, more than anything, that our time spent in the city will inspire my fellow D-SIP alums to continually come back to Detroit, not just as a place for service, but to witness incredible an transformation. –Chelsea Landry, a leader in the Detroit Partnership at the University of Michigan
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, 18th 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
This question comes up often in the general discussion about plans after graduating college, and rather more often (aka, always) when you’ve got a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering and are pursuing a job in development/foundations/non-profits. But (just to be fair) it’s also something that’s critical to a job search in the philanthropic sector. Understanding why you want to do something helps inform your reviews of the job search boards, makes interviewing a bit less scary, and allows you to talk concretely to your network about what you’re looking for. So – to answer the question, personally: To me, philanthropy isn’t something you do once and never again. It’s not a check-list item. It’s a way of life, a continuous desire to use your time, talent, and treasure to make the world a better place. I want to be first and foremost a philanthropist. I’ve gotten to the point where I’ve realized that this should be a full-time job for me – hence the job search. The philanthropic sector is a place where your passion can really make a difference. Passion is the driving force in my life – running through my veins, exciting me, and driving me to build the skills necessary to follow my passions. I love going to work and loving being there. I love feeling like I’m making a difference, feeling like my work can have an impact on the world. It’s also a field where you can have a hand in changing the way things are into the way things ought to be. You can be part of building community resources, of bringing people together to talk about issues, of working collaboratively to solve a variety of problems in a community. And though it seems like my engineering background doesn’t really fit with my search, I believe it’s just part of how I intend to go about changing the world. The problem-solving, process-oriented approach to my work gained from a technical degree makes me organized, efficient, creative, and thorough. When in combination with my experience and skills, this approach and degree will make me successful – now I’ve just got to find a job. And though it might have taken a while for philanthropy as a career to
“click” for me, it’s the right one. Now, it’s your turn. Can you answer the question, personally?
Post by: Katelyn Videto, D-SIP ’09
In 2007, seventeen interns travelled to Petoskey, Michigan. The purpose of the trip was to meet and converse with donors. The result was the formation of a meaningful and impactful relationship between D-SIP and the Fisher family.
Doug Stewart, the executive director of the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation, was a member of the Curriculum Advisory Board for D-SIP. Because of his passion and commitment to the education of future fundraisers, he stopped in during the first retreat to speak to the interns. He also brought along and introduced D-SIP to Julie Fisher-Cummings.
Since then, D-SIP interns have had the privilege to hear about the passions of Julie and her husband Peter, who was introduced to D-SIP in year three. Through their stories, interns see their class readings come to life and make connections that cannot be taught.
“With each great project that we build we salute generations still to come, knowing that they will be able to build even higher.”
Max M. Fisher
But, Julie, Peter and Doug have shared much more than their personal stories. The Fisher Foundation’s care and belief in the next generation is clear through their generous offer to host an intern at the Fisher Foundation every summer. With this being D-SIP’s 5th year, the foundation has hosted four D-SIP graduates that hope to continue into the field of development. Their current intern is Amerique Philyaw, who will be blogging about her experience at the foundation throughout the summer.
This partnership plays a significant role in the program. The retreat has served as the greatest time of reflection when interns not only recognize the power of donors and their gifts in transforming the world, but also see the responsibility they have to impact future generations. Every intern leaves inspired.
Our fifth year continues this partnership as our 24 interns will attend a retreat in Detroit where they will learn about the Fisher Foundation and the organizations they support, such as the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and a group of early childhood development partners in the Brightmoor neighborhood, once again highlighting the positive impact philanthropy can have in our society.
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:
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.
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