4 Professional Development Ideas

Professional development is a key skill for any employee to learn. Whether it's advancing in the ranks at your current job or taking your talents elsewhere, it's important to never to be satisfied staying in one position.

While it's always preferable to advance within your current organization, sometimes that's not in the cards. The current job market is incredibly competitive which means you will have to present yourself as a unique talent should you decide it's time to start somewhere new.

During the Blackbaud Conference for Nonprofits in National Harbor, Md., William F. Bartolini, associate vice president for development at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., offered advice on how to make yourself look unique to employers.

• Find Your Passion: Sit down and figure out what your best attributes are. Test your list with a trusted friend along with a trusted co-worker.
• Create A List: Use the list to describe your accomplishments, challenges you’ve faced and experiences you want to have.
• Elevator Speech: Prepare a short speech that encapsulates your experiences and advantages. These types of speeches should last 30 seconds. Make them brief.
• Where Will You Go?: Outline what the ins and outs to your work are. Do you want to be involved in fundraising or do a little of everything? Do you want to work in a small shop or big shop? These are all questions you should be asking yourself.

Nonprofit Management Tip: Moving To The Next Stage Of Your Career

Turnover is a big part of jobs these days.  Whereas it was not uncommon for people to stick with their work for 20+ years in the past, these days the average stay at a job is much shorter.  With more people moving on from their careers, how can you distinguish yourself from the past?  The NonProfit Times just put up a new management tip about that very topic:

* Find Your Passion: Sit down and figure out your best attributes. Test your list with a trusted friend, along with a trusted co-worker.


* Create A List: Use the list to describe your accomplishments; challenges you’ve faced; and, experiences you want to have during your career.


* Elevator Speech: Prepare a short speech that encapsulates your experiences and advantages. These types of speeches should last 30 seconds.


* Where Will You Go?: Outline ins and outs to your work. Do you want to be involved in fundraising or do a little of everything? Do you want to work in a small shop or big shop? These are all questions you should be asking yourself.

Want to learn more about professional development?  Check out our devoted page on that topic for even more tips.

Notre Dame to Hold Nonprofit Networking Event

The University of Notre Dame will be holding a nonprofit career event on April 5th, so if you are interested in learning more about nonprofit jobs, then you should head to this event if you live in the area.  The program, called “Making a Living Making a Difference," will be held in Geddes Hall from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, and it will give students and locals the chance to learn what it takes to work in the not-for-profit-sector

Speakers at the program include Notre Dame alumni Bill and Nancy Jordan, who will present the keynote speech: "Sustainability in a World of Energy and Food Poverty."  The Jordans are co-founders of Let’s Share the Sun Foundation, which is dedicated to installing solar energy technology in some of the poorest parts of the world in order to enhance the quality of life in those communities.

After the keynote speech, there will be an Informational Fair at 7:30 PM in the Geddes Hall coffee house meeting area, which will allow attendees to learn about potential nonprofit internships and careers (with both local and national nonprofit organizations).

Interested?  Read about more about the event at Thriving In Michiana, and be sure to read more about nonprofit careers at our Jobs Blog.