"All in all, I enjoy the work I do because
it is based in goodness. The work we do, the
people with whom we toil, and the motivation for our efforts all have one
thing in common - to make someone's life easier. . . My passion is guided by two
principles: to make things 'fairer' and to 'do something about it'."
Jody Iorns, Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California
"Working for a well-run nonprofit is
indescribably rewarding. I love the feeling of contributing to the betterment of
the world on a daily basis, and have built true friendships in an office full of
altruistic associates."
Meghan Bloome Bishop, Planned Parenthood Golden Gate
"I like the fact that my jobs in the
nonprofit sector have passed the 'death-bed'
test; i.e. I can look back and say that I worked in positions that allowed me to
try to make a difference and to make the world a little better place."
Wil Burns, Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment and
Security
The above quotations attest to the unique rewards
of nonprofit work. However, nonprofit work is also very challenging, especially
in the Bay Area. If you are new to the Bay Area, or new to nonprofit work in
general, you may want to consider some of the following while you think about
looking for nonprofit work.
- The nonprofit sector in the Bay Area is
extremely competitive. Maybe you came to, or stay in, the Bay Area because
it is diverse, tolerant of differences, and has a long history of being a
hotbed of social change. This makes going to parties interesting - you can
usually find people who share your altruistic interests. You may be
disappointed to learn that those same people are looking for a nonprofit
job, too.
- The Bay Area is one of the most
expensive places to live in the United States, and
nonprofit salaries here do not keep up with the cost of living (see
"Assessment of Nonprofit Wages and Benefits" in the Appendix).
- Nonprofit jobs can be insecure, especially in
the Bay Area. The state and local political climate allows for public
involvement in policy making through a very active ballot initiative
process. In terms of nonprofit work, this means that a program that was
well-funded last year because it was the public's trendy concern can lose
funding the following year when priorities change.
- Sometimes people are attracted to
nonprofit work because they envision flat
organizational structures in which people hold hands and sing songs, where
the work is always meaningful and free of office politics. For most
nonprofits, this is simply untrue. Nonprofits can be as hierarchical as
corporations.
The above challenges are formidable, but working
with nonprofit organizations brings its own
set of unique rewards. If you understand these distinct traits of nonprofit work
and are still committed to getting and staying in a nonprofit job, you
definitely have the motivation required to succeed in your job search. Good
luck! We hope this guide will help you. But first, we need to address the issue
of who "you" are.
 Recent College Graduates
When you are deciding what to do with your life, you face many choices. But when
you are about to graduate from college, or have just done so, you'll find some
choices more accessible than others. Large private sector companies generally
have the resources to recruit young people through campus interviewing, job
fairs, and flashy advertising. These companies usually have a personnel
department, a formal hiring process, and many positions opening year-round.
But what if you are looking for something
entirely different - a job that will allow you to work for something you believe
in? People scoff at idealism, but some of us still have it - especially those
who have been campus leaders and activists and are looking to apply those skills
in the "real world." Looking for a job in a nonprofit organization
takes you down another road altogether.
Nonprofit organizations do not have the resources
to recruit - nor the abundance of job openings - in the way that corporations
do. Consequently, many recent college graduates believe that in order to
continue doing socially conscious work, they must go into law, teaching, or a
totally unrelated field and relegate activism to an "extracurricular"
activity. Some people, however, have found a way to tie their work to their
passion for public interest work. This handbook is designed to help you secure
this type of work.
Corporate Transitioner
"I want to be passionate about my work and
have a more meaningful life"
"I want balance and time for my personal
life"
"I want to give back to the
community"
"I want a lower-stress work
environment"
Often, these are the thoughts that motivate
someone to leave the corporate world to seek a job in the nonprofit sector.
Perhaps you want to see your efforts culminate in not just increasing the bottom
dollar, but increasing the quality of life for those around you. Corporate
transitioners seek to utilize their business skills and will often seek to move
into the administrative roles in nonprofit organizations. Managing or directing
marketing, accounting or human resources are some possible roles. The biggest
challenge for corporate transitioners is demonstrating their commitment to the
nonprofit sector and making connections with nonprofit organizations. Other
challenges include lower compensation and acclimating to a new industry. This
can be achieved through volunteer work or Board participation. This handbook
will help you have realistic expectations for your nonprofit job search and
leverage your existing skills into a more personally fulfilling nonprofit job.
 Been There, Done That
Are you motivated to do nonprofit work because you have personal experiences
similar to the populations you want to serve? Many nonprofit workers who
directly serve clients feel grateful to the people who helped them through rough
times and want to "give back" to the community. This is a great reason
to look for nonprofit work, and your personal experiences may help you relate
better to clients and help you stay motivated even when things at work are
difficult. However, you should keep in mind the need for concrete skills and
boundaries between personal and professional life.
 Recent Transplants to the Bay Area
This book is designed to be of particular use to recent transplants to the Bay
Area. By now, you have noticed that the Bay Area is a region with endless unique
characteristics. Each city has its own flavor, whether it is a result of its
geography, weather, or major industry. While the hi-tech industry has recently
made the Bay Area an economic capital of the world, the Bay Area nonprofit
sector has long been perceived as far-reaching, innovative, and strong. In part
as a result of that perception - a remnant of the region's 1960's activism, no
doubt - many committed public interest workers have relocated to the Bay Area in
search of opportunities. What they find is partly what they expect - a broad,
multi-faceted public interest sector. What these recent transplants do not find,
however, is a nonprofit sector thriving with an abundance of well-paying job
opportunities for all who wish to do good work.
Though most of this book is applicable for all
job seekers, look for these symbols throughout the book for tips specific to
these groups of seekers.
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Recent
College
Grads |
Corporate
Transitioners |
Been
There,
Done That |
Recent
Transplants |
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