By: Janna Parke
I have grown up
around volunteerism. My family always spent time donating clothing, toys, and
other various items to local shelters in Fort Wayne. As time moved on, I began
to see a theme in my summer projects, including: mission trips all over the
world, volunteering at Charis House (Women’s shelter), interning for the youth
of various churches, and spending a summer in Chicago with A Safe Haven. As we
grow up, talk about future careers becomes prominent, and I decided that I need
to use my career to serve others, which can be done in a variety of ways.
One form of
serving is through a non-profit organization, which is what I seem to be drawn
to. After working in a variety of non-profit fields, I have seen first hand the
culture, challenges, and benefits of working in the non-profit sector. At
first, I was scared to even consider non-profit work, due to the myths and
stigma provided by ignorant members of the workplace, but after having valuable
experiences, I can better understand that there is more than what meets the
eye.
MYTH: A
nonprofit is a nonprofit is a nonprofit
Nonprofits are
all run differently, have different goals, missions, and processes. There are
soup kitchens, churches, groups working for social change, trade associations,
and advocacy groups. None of these are the same. No company is the same, just
like no for-profit company is the same. It is important to understand that each
unique company has key differences in size, age, outlook, business model, and
bylaws.
MYTH: Nonprofits
are staffed mainly by volunteers
Most nonprofits
are staffed by a paid professional staff. Just as any other company, they need
people to do accounting, web design, management, database work, lobbying, human
resources, and other positions you see in all companies. Understanding that
without volunteers, some nonprofits would not be able to function, but in order
to continue working as a business, having a staff is essential to the success
of these businesses.
MYTH: You have
to starve to work in the nonprofit sector
Yes, nonprofits
do have a lower salary and are known for paying less than for-profit companies.
There is no denying this truth, but there is also truth in the competitive
salaries between nonprofits that are rising.
MYTH: Nonprofits
are laid back, less professional
After working in
various places, I have realized that professionalism is not taken lightly.
Being the face of a business involves keeping yourself to a high standard, just
like other companies. It is just as important to hold a professional office, as
this sets the standard for how successful the rest of the business, company, or
service, works.
Nonprofits are
flat and Non-Hierarchical
As stated
before, with professional staff comes managers, owners, employees, and a
variety of positions that give dynamic to a company. If you are looking to
start somewhere, then move up, there is no reason this cannot happen within a
nonprofit company. When searching for a career, remember to ask about the
opportunities to advance in the company, then see if it if a fit for you!
The myths may be
scary at first, but one you take time to think about the opportunities and
experiences that could come with a nonprofit, it is not as daunting to keep it
as a possible future career option.
This information came from:
http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2011/10/24/10-myths-about-nonprofit-work
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