Careers in the non-profit world.
The purpose of this pontification
article is to discuss transitions from a career in the business world
to working at a Non-Profit
organization. To preface my comments, please remember that my
discussion is based upon generalities. There are good and bad
companies on both sides of the profit fence.
Financially, the biggest difference is
in profit paid to shareholders versus excess net income. For-profit
companies distribute profits to shareholders (ultimately).
Non-profits roll excess net revenues after expenses back into their
mission. A wise Vice President once told me “Not for profit does
not mean 'no sales'. No revenue means no income, and that means no
services. We can have the best programs in the world, but they
require sales to sustain them.” Both types of companies are driven
by financial matters at some level.
Personnel-wise, Non-profit employees
are universally less capable, less efficient, and just not as GOOD as
their for-profit counterparts. If they were as good, they would work
on the profit side and make far more money. Obviously, I am not
speaking my true beliefs, but instead exposing a stereotype. The
truth is that, just as in the for-profit world, there exists a range
of talents. I haven't studied this in detail, and I can't prove it,
but I would theorize that Non-profits may have MORE talented people.
Sometimes, the 'superstars' from the business world reach a pinnacle,
and come to 'my' side of things. That makes the talent pool deeper
on the non-profit side. Regardless, there are capable and competent
people who work hard everywhere. Actually, the people are pretty
much the same, but the terminology and cultures vary.
Continuing with the personnel theme, I
have learned that people who have skills can employ them in both
places. One position that I employ is that of Vocational Case
Manager. This position combines a Problem Solver, a Career
Counselor, and a Rehabilitation (Disability) Counselor. You may look
at that combination and think that a former Therapist would be an
ideal choice. Perhaps a Teacher? From the business world, maybe a
Recruiter (Head Hunter)? In my experience, all of those folks can do
the job, but the critical skill is Sales.
Sales people are, at some level, are
problem solvers. They have to have good people skills, and they also
teach. They use active listening techniques like a Therapist. They
help people make decisions. And they are acquainted with goals,
detailed paperwork, and managing multiple complex issues
simultaneously. Add in a disability component, and that defines most
of the skill set for a non-profit job in one of my programs.
So, if the finances are similar, and
the people use nearly identical skill sets, what is the difference
between for-profit and non-profit employment? Individual motivation
and internal rewards. I know someone who once worked as a Customer
Service Manager at a 'Big Box” retailer in his younger days. He
tells the story of how he would come home exhausted at the end of the
day. When his Bride asked him about his day, he would say (with a
flat voice and face) “Good. I saved the company a $2,700 sale
today”. After changing jobs and being a Job Coach for a person
with cognitive limitations, he would answer the same question
“Awesome. I sneaked an elderly mother into her son's job. She
cried when she saw him working.”
Good Luck and Best Wishes,
Chris
Links to my
work, “Beyond a Career Crisis”:
Kindle Edition
Paperback Edition
