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As baby boomers reach retirement age, many are going to want and need to continue working. Some are interested in leaving the corporate world to make a difference by working in nonprofits.
Our guest on Talk Radio Show, Jerri Barrett left a successful job in a tech company to become the vice president of marketing for the nonprofit Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology. I know she is going to share some valuable information about working in nonprofits.
Jerri Barrett worked in the marketing department for a tech start up in Silicon Valley, CA. A shift in the organization was going to force her to move to Atlanta, GA, which she wasn’t prepared to do.
Through networking, Jerri transitioned from the corporate world to the nonprofit Anita Borg Institute for Women. Jerri explains only 25 percent of employees in tech companies or women. That number is reduced to less than 5 percent at the executive level. Anita Borg Institute for Women is committed to changing the culture in tech companies to hire and promote women.
One of the first things Jerri had to learn working for a nonprofit is the money is for the mission. This is a different mindset from corporate where she was able to take potential clients out for $500 lunches. In this interview Jerri shares the other differences between corporations and nonprofits.
Jerri shares the story of needing to hire a marketing person for her department and receiving 75 resumes. Of those 75 resumes, only 4 people wrote of their passion for the cause. In addition to having a passion, Jerri recommends applicants be able to articulate what they have to offer as far as skills, knowledge and experience.
Before working for nonprofits, it’s important to have volunteered in them. If you are interested in a specific cause or organization, consider volunteering for them first. This is similar to an internship where you get to see if this is a good fit and to demonstrate your skills.
Be willing to get hands dirty, Jerri advises. New hires need to be committed to the cause and do what needs to get done. At the same time, it’s important to have boundaries, to understand what you can and won’t do in your new job
There is opportunity for retirees to transition into the nonprofit world, according to Jerri. Just as with any other work, you need to do your homework, network and pay your dues. If you find a cause your passionate for, it’s worth the effort.
The post Leaving the Corporate World to Work in Nonprofits appeared first on RLM Now.