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