I had the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion
at the Times Union Job Fair
this past Monday October 8th at the Marriott on Wolf Road. The job
fair was filled with employers looking for qualified candidates and as well,
job seekers seeing employment – what a perfect match!
Our panel discussion was on careers in not for profits and
community service organizations and along with me was Molly Daniels, HR
Director for Northeast Parent & Child, entrepreneur Jeff Foley and the CEO
of the Community Foundation of the Capital Region, Karen Bilowith. The questions that were posed to the panel
allowed all of us to tell our story about working in or finding a career in
service to others.
Oftentimes, working in not for profits or
community service organizations I overlooked by those in the market for a new
job or career. It is “assumed” (you know what happens when you assume!) that the pay
is low and you must have very specialized skills to land a job.
Both not usually true.
Pay is variable by the organization. Some are
perhaps lower but many are higher in salary. You need to look at the total
compensation package with salary as one element and supported by benefits,
retirement funding et al. One of the panelist I talked with told me that he was
shocked how much he made when working for a not for profit. That assumption –
out the window.
Skills and the need to have specialized
training – yes true in some of the roles but remember, these organizations are
businesses in the business of helping others. They have needs in operations,
administration, accounting, etc. like any other business. I see this in
healthcare too – the assumption being made that you need to be a nurse or
doctor to work in this industry – not so.
Working to help others have value. mission and purpose …
I talked about finding a role in career that
provides value to others, is aligned to mission and has purpose and almost like
on cue, I saw everyone’s head nod in agreement. This is the value one receives
by working in a not for profit, service organization, healthcare and other
roles. In fact, a recent survey of people evaluating career options indicated
that the top priority of 31% of the responders – a desire to work for purpose
an give back.
Giving back to others in truly fulfilling, and
needed in our culture where we appear to be mostly connected through technology
and the one-to-one communication or service to others seems somewhat lost which
is unfortunate. When you see the smile on the face of someone you have helped
or impacted, and just see someone achieve what they dreamed, you can go on for
weeks fulfilled.
As many enter their second career – sometimes
known as the encore career – they look toward doing something with purpose and
these organizations provide that opportunity, at most any age. As well, service
to others I a great way to start one’s career. I heard one person from a not
for profit say, “Come here for a job – stay here for a career”.
That can be you – at any age. Do what you love
and desire to do, and lead a life fulfilled.
Dan
Moran
President
& Founder
Next-Act:
Career
Management & Transition Specialists
Corporate
Management Services
Celebrating
24 years providing career& corporate management services in 2012!
125
Wolf Road, Suite #128
Albany,
NY 12205
Phone:
518-641-8968
eFax:
586-279-4212
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