Welcome! A Leadership Primer for Young Professionals: 44 Ways to Advance Your Nonprofit Career

by Rosetta Thurman

categories: Leadership, Professional Development

Published May 13, 2009 @ 12:19AM PT

Welcome to the Young Professionals blog at Jobs for Change! I’m Rosetta Thurman and I’m a young (Generation Y) nonprofit leader of color working and living in Washington, DC. I’ve been blogging for two years over at Perspectives From the Pipeline sharing nonprofit resources, career advice and fresh ideas to educate and inspire young professionals and people of color in doing the work of social change. In my day job(s), I serve as a Development Director and I also teach nonprofit management at Trinity University in DC. Let me tell you a little more about me and why I work in the nonprofit sector.

Here you will find posts to support you as a young professional just entering the nonprofit field or looking to move up in your career. I will be sharing resources, career advice, and ideas about professional development and building the kind of leadership that changes the world. Feel free to drop me a note anytime at rosetta@change.org with questions, comments or suggestions for future posts. You can also follow me on Twitter @rosettathurman for daily links and conversation about nonprofits, leadership, and living our best lives.

To start us off, I thought I'd share my growing list of ideas and links to resources that will help you build your own leadership skills and ultimately move up the nonprofit career ladder. Please help me add to this list by sharing your tips and links in the comments!

1. New to the nonprofit sector? Here's a brief overview.
2. Find your dream nonprofit job.
3. Moving to the Nation's Capital for a nonprofit job? Download the Young Nonprofit Professional’s Guide to Washington, DC.
4. Don't start your own nonprofit.
5. Become a better nonprofit leader in 2009.
6. Join the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network in your city.
7. Learn how to raise money.
8. Write an op-ed.
9. Start a blog.
10. Get on Twitter.
11. Join a nonprofit board of directors.
12. Get a good start in any new position.
13. Develop a personal mission statement.
14. Be provocative.
15. Learn from others.
16. Negotiate a fair salary.
17. Manage your professional identity.
18. Prevent burnout.
19. Join the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
20. Explore a slash career.
21. Volunteer.
22. Pursue a nonprofit-focused graduate degree.
23. Speak up!
24. Connect with your peers in philanthropy.
25. Don't be afraid to fail.
26. Lead by faith.
27. Take care of yourself. Put your health first.
28. Complete a stretch assignment.
29. Admit your mistakes.
30. Stay updated on trends facing the future of the nonprofit sector.
31. Learn how to advocate for causes you care about.
32. Read the Chronicle of Philanthropy.
33. Find a mentor.
34. Get your own business cards.
35. Talk about race.
36. Hone the art of the informational interview.
37. Break all the rules.
38. Get ahead of the competition.
39. Attend The Fundraising School.
40. Stop trying to be two different people.
41. Never eat alone.
42. Keep track of your goals.
43. Introduce yourself to a search firm (also known as "headhunters").
44. Reset your life.