This Session has been a spit fire Q&A session rather than a presentation based session. The session was hosted by CommnonCareers.
Bridgestar.org – information about Non Prof Executive development.
What if you find yourself in a position different than what you were hired from?
Create your own opportunities. Be strategic in managing your duties and be clear about your job expectations. Be open and honest in dialogue with employer. If position will never embody what you are looking for, you need to start thinking strategically of looking beyond to a new position.
Bait and Switch is often used to trap young capable employees.
If you have identified where you want to go and the skills, how do you develop skills in a practical way in a job that does not need those skills?
Join board of small non profit without much staff so that you can pitch in on day to day operations. How do you find board opportunities? Check board websites such as Board Source. There are link programs in many cities across the country.
Conferences are great ways to build skills. Engaging in your non profit associations and other business associations who have programs for skill building.
Look at network to see how consulting can a resource for consulting to build practice. Look into Tap Root Foundation as they help siphon people into non profit from business sector.
Reach out to your network and people who are doing what you want to do for informational interviews and mentoring programs.
If you love the mission of your organization yet the culture of your department is not aligned with the way you are comfortable with doing work. How do you function with the disconnect between the culture of the org and your personal culture?
Look for other departments that fit your personal culture. Try to incorporate tools that help clarify people’s position and roles. Think about managing up through open dialogue.
How important or essential is a graduate degree?
Grad degrees are essential. It is more important about where you went and the culture of the institution. Some organizations are threatened by MBA degrees but that is an “old” non profit culture. For Exe Directors an MBA is high on the list for a “must have”.
What do you do if you happen to be in one content area but want to transfer to another content area? Changing mission focus.
Volunteer in the area that you want to transition to. Create your own volunteer initiative within your existing organization or your community.
Job Transition Components:
1) geography
2) type of org
3) type of role
Easy to change one. Hard to change two, Difficult to change all.
Informational interviews are essential for transitions. Who knows who and how you can network.
Facebook and InkedIn is the new wave of of job transtion.