Thanks to such people as Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and Angelina Jolie, philanthropy and nonprofits now enjoy a glamorized reputation. I can’t count the number of times a disaffected accountant, investment banker or lawyer has said to me that they now dream of working for the Gates Foundation.
While the world of global health and education are in need of talent, only a select group of professionals will ever get the chance to work at the Gates Foundation. But, for those who have both a genuine interest to leave corporate America and who will also take a critical eye to their own experiences, a switch can be made.
Such a switch won’t be easy, though. To successfully do so, it is best to plan ahead. Here are a few issues – concerns and positives – about making the switch.
We’ll start with the concerns.
I have no transferable skills!
Most likely, you have been performing professional skills that can transfer directly to the nonprofit sector whether you are currently in accounting, IT, marketing or even civil engineering. Now, if you are an engineer who wants to be a social worker, then you need to do more planning. The best way to transfer to a nonprofit, or to what I like to call a “mission driven” career, is to seek positions where your specific functional areas of expertise are needed.
My corporate personality won’t fit in with that “laid back” style of a nonprofit! And, nonprofits can be so disorganized!
The organizational culture at the majority of nonprofits is anything but “laid back”! This is a big, big misconception. Actually, many nonprofit employers believe corporate career changers won’t be able to adjust to the hectic, roll-up-your-sleeves atmosphere of nonprofits. What is often perceived as disorganization is actually an organization operating in a nimble way. When tasks need accomplishing at a nonprofit, there isn’t a lot of “it’s not my job” going on as its structure can be less hierarchical. On the other hand, some nonprofits, such as higher education and healthcare, can have tighter organizational structures than any Fortune 500 company. Don’t make generalizations about the organizational culture of a nonprofit or any business. Just like people, each entity has its own “personality.”
I really want to switch, but the pay is so bad – it just doesn’t make sense.
Point well taken; you certainly won’t be getting a 50% bonus switching to a nonprofit. If you move into the sector through your competency – say CFO to CFO – you may be pleasantly surprised. It is well recognized within larger nonprofits that for top administrators – CFO, COO and General Counsel – salaries need to be up there. For most positions, benefits are generous, but if maximizing your earnings is your top priority, you need to either plan 10 years in advance to make the switch or volunteer. Volunteering is an excellent option for those who can’t or won’t take a pay cut.
Let’s switch to the positives.
YOUR mission is IMPORTANT !
If you not only have skills that transfer well into a nonprofit opening and you are also committed to its mission, it will be much easier for you to make the switch. If you are a real estate attorney with experience in economic development projects and you go work for a nonprofit low income housing development organization, you are going to feel great about your work because the missions match.
I can’t emphasize enough that to make a switch, you need to be MISSION DRIVEN!
You will feel better about your work and your life.
Have you spent the past 20 years making ABC Corporation rich and you aren’t quite sure why? Perhaps making a switch to the nonprofit sector is the answer for you. In doing so, it is likely you will work toward a goal beyond generating a better bottom line. As well, you will work with others mission driven individuals which has the potential to inspire you daily.
Not everyone is cut out for a life of professional service in the nonprofit sector; some people are better suited to involvement as a volunteer or board member. And, switching to the nonprofit sector is by no means an answer to everyone’s career issues. However, if after thorough reflection, you decide to make the switch to nonprofit work and are dedicated to a mission meaningful to you, there is a good chance you will feel better about your professional path which should make it much easier to get up in the morning.
You may very well be closer to the power center.
Working in a large corporation, you can find yourself far removed from the center of power. At nonprofits, both large and small, it can be much easier to have exposure up the line within the organization, with the board and in your community.
What are some of the questions you’ve been asking yourself about concerns you have about moving to the nonprofit sector? And, organizations, what role do you see for career changers in your organization?
In my next post, I’ll discuss some of the specific tactics you can use to set yourself up for a career change to a mission driven professional life.
Carmel Napolitano is a New York City based independent executive search consultant for the philanthropic, nonprofit, and public sectors. With over 20 years of experience, Carmel started her career in higher education fundraising, She has an exceptional track record of placing senior staff at local, regional, national, and global organizations. For more information take a look at her website, www.cgnassociates.wordpress.com or email her at cgnexecsearch@gmail.com.
Last updated on September 20th, 2010 at 04:32 pm
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Some really good observations here. Making any type of career switch is something that needs to be thought out. Salary is just one thing to take into consideration. The important thing to remember is to do as much research as possible.
Carmel’s comments are very timely and helpful, but I’d like to add some perspective on the hang up many appear to have with taking a pay cut.
I’ve been just about everywhere someone can be on the income ladder, and I’ve learned that both pay raises and pay cuts rarely mean much, once you get past the tax implications and the difference in your weekly or bi-weekly take home pay. You don’t live on your annual number, but what comes into your bank account every other week.
Making less means lower payroll, federal income, state income and possibly city income tax liability. You may also avoid the AMT (trust me… its a real eye-opener the first time it hits). Once all these reductions are factored into your bi-weekly check, it would take a pay cut of very large proportions to really force you to change your lifestyle.
BTW, same thing with a raise. Sounds great, feels really good to be appreciated. But by the time it makes its way to the paycheck, it dawns on you that besides for allowing the occasional extra dinner out, there’s just nothing there. A $10,000 promotion and raise, spread over 26 weeks and net of taxes, is about $192 take home per check. Not chump change, but that just buys your kid a nice pair of sneakers.
Take it from me on the income issue… doing what you love, even for considerably less money, is PRICELESS!
This blog is a tightly focused description of the practical and philosophical questions many of us have asked(or wanted to ask but did not have them available on a handy to-do-list) as we sit in yet another meeting. I think it creates more than a vehicle for thought; it is an actionable business checklist for personal change management. I never thought I would see a documented pathway to an executable epiphany; now I have, and in less than 20 paragraphs!
I made the switch from corporate to non-profit. I stayed in Human Resources, took a minimal paycut but it was worth it. I was sick of making other people rich and wanted to made a difference in the community.
Hi,
Enjoy reading your blog.
Ellen
Carmel touches on many of the important things to think about when switching. I made a switch from telecommunications to social services and the major difference is that in a non profit your success is driven by your people skills, where in for profit your success has a more technical focus.