Final Post!

I envision working with non-profits on a volunteer and leadership path in the future. Because of my degree path, I’m interested in introducing business concepts to the non-profit environment. I’d love to build a career around non-profit work, but not necessarily with the same non-profit in the role of an executive director. Consulting non-profits or helping non-profits form effective networks or pool resources (like grant-writers) would be my dream position.

Over the quarter, I’ve been able to see how some of my past experiences have prepared me to work in non-profits. I am really excited to see how being an assured decision maker can be a key asset in the non-profit world as well as the importance of networking. The diversity and the broad skill sets required appeal to me most. I’ve always been interested in having a generalist position - one where I can work with a variety of people on a variety of tasks. I don’t really want to know what each day holds. It has been great to hear that from each of the executive directors or board members about their work with the non-profits.

I learned a lot about the issues of governance this quarter. It was a surprise to know there are so many regulations on non-profits, both from the government and from businesses. I wasn’t aware there was so much someone had to be knowledgeable of before having a leadership role in a non-profit. Prior to this experience, I thought the business skills were the most important skills a leader could bring to a non-profit. Now I recognize that networking skills, diplomacy skills, critical thinking and creativity are all skills to be valued equally for an effective leader.