Career change out of nonprofits?
March 27, 2015 4:03 PM Subscribe
I’m hoping for suggestions for career changes for someone who has spent their entire professional career in nonprofits and government, and is looking for something that pays a little more, is maybe a little less bureaucratic, and which plays to their strengths (community organizing and building, creative thinking, program planning, social engagement).
Asking for a friend.
Said friend has worked for the last 10+ years as a program coordinator in nonprofits and government, and they find themselves at an impasse in terms of both salary and career prospects. They were hoping for suggestions of careers their skills and talents might transfer well to.
The friend is very intelligent and personally engaging, and does well in meeting with diverse sorts of people and giving presentations to groups of many sizes. They enjoy and do well with brainstorming original and creative ideas and initiatives. They really enjoy making a difference in the world (part of the reason they’ve stuck with the nonprofit world long after burnout has set in).
I personally think this friend would make a fantastic teacher, but unfortunately further education is not an option, for financial reasons. Assume they have a liberal arts bachelor’s degree.
Things the friend does not enjoy: red tape, being micromanaged, working with negative people, dealing with lots of fussy details or jobs requiring a high degree of organization (they’ve managed to do all of these and more in their career, but have no fun doing it. While these would be tolerable as a small part of the job, they often seem to comprise the entire job). The friend doesn’t want to work in a field that is actively harmful to society.
They have managed volunteers and interns but otherwise have no management experience. They are computer competent but not extremely techie.
Ideally, a new job would pay $50,000 or more a year (for a Midwestern US city). Relocation is not an option.
Thank you!
Asking for a friend.
Said friend has worked for the last 10+ years as a program coordinator in nonprofits and government, and they find themselves at an impasse in terms of both salary and career prospects. They were hoping for suggestions of careers their skills and talents might transfer well to.
The friend is very intelligent and personally engaging, and does well in meeting with diverse sorts of people and giving presentations to groups of many sizes. They enjoy and do well with brainstorming original and creative ideas and initiatives. They really enjoy making a difference in the world (part of the reason they’ve stuck with the nonprofit world long after burnout has set in).
I personally think this friend would make a fantastic teacher, but unfortunately further education is not an option, for financial reasons. Assume they have a liberal arts bachelor’s degree.
Things the friend does not enjoy: red tape, being micromanaged, working with negative people, dealing with lots of fussy details or jobs requiring a high degree of organization (they’ve managed to do all of these and more in their career, but have no fun doing it. While these would be tolerable as a small part of the job, they often seem to comprise the entire job). The friend doesn’t want to work in a field that is actively harmful to society.
They have managed volunteers and interns but otherwise have no management experience. They are computer competent but not extremely techie.
Ideally, a new job would pay $50,000 or more a year (for a Midwestern US city). Relocation is not an option.
Thank you!
Which city does your friend live in? Their background makes me think of a couple of jobs that are in relative abundance where I live (the Bay Area)-- startups with a social conscience, and design firms that work on some social issues. But I'm not sure how readily available these might be elsewhere. There might be some remote opportunities, though. This energy incubator in Hawaii had at least one recent opening that was remote (with a couple of trips to Hawaii each year). A program management role in a university (for example, something related to the environment or social issues) could also be a good fit and potentially better pay.
posted by three_red_balloons at 4:45 PM on March 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by three_red_balloons at 4:45 PM on March 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: There are many rewarding jobs with consulting firms that provide strategic planning and facilitation services to not-for-profits, municipalities, foundations, educational institutions, etc. Your friend can do well focusing on positions requiring the skills you described (and that s/he most enjoys deploying) and easily hit his/her salary target. Consulting is perfect for people who don't want to get bogged down in the nitty gritty details of implementation and petty politics.
posted by carmicha at 5:38 PM on March 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by carmicha at 5:38 PM on March 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
Just a heads up: The bureaucracy and politics of large corporations is no less than that of non-profits/government.
posted by falsedmitri at 5:54 PM on March 27, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by falsedmitri at 5:54 PM on March 27, 2015 [3 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks for these suggestions! Friend is very interested in the consulting idea, and had also considered the foundation office or program management role at a university, so glad to hear they're on the right track.
posted by whistle pig at 8:52 AM on March 28, 2015
posted by whistle pig at 8:52 AM on March 28, 2015
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posted by harrietthespy at 4:42 PM on March 27, 2015 [1 favorite]