Hands-on Paths to Full-time Nonprofit Work

There are many paths that can lead to a senior staff position in the nonprofit sector. We have found that for bridgers—people moving from the for-profit to the nonprofit sector for the first time—one effective route is through volunteerism.

Volunteer jobs typically will not lead directly to a senior leadership position in the same nonprofit organization, but a relevant nonprofit board or volunteer experience can, nonetheless, be invaluable for someone bridging from the private sector to a nonprofit. Volunteering can give bridgers insight into whether the nonprofit sector is the right career path for them and guidance on what sort of work they want to do in the sector. Working as a nonprofit volunteer also can serve as a good introduction to the myriad cultural differences between the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. Furthermore, the experience will help bridgers begin to build a network of nonprofit peers and colleagues, will introduce them to nonprofit sector vocabulary, and will boost their credibility with potential nonprofit employers by demonstrating their commitment to nonprofit work.


Click here to read stories of three senior nonprofit executives who got their starts in the sector as volunteers.


Source: Bridgestar