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How do I get opportunities to work with more serious organizations and have more serious positions rather than volunteer or internship positions? How can I ensure I stand out?

I am a female in my early 20’s. I have an undergrad bachelors in Finance. However, along the way during my undergrad studies, my interests changed and I felt a deep and personal connection to non-profits and working to promote gender equality and helping young African girls access education. This led me to pursuing a masters in Human Rights Law because I figured I needed the relevant papers to backup my competencies and experiences (having worked for/with multiple non-profits in the past). I’m still currently in school getting my Human Rights Masters Degree. #law #career

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Katherine’s Answer

Use your undergraduate Finance degree for good. Many nonprofits still need accountants. Keeping track of donations, as well as seeking out and attracting new donors and sources of funding, is a big deal!

The best way to get into positions where more responsibilities are the norm is to start out in positions with fewer responsibilities. If you put in the time and effort into learning the basics of an organization, you will be that much more prepared to take on greater tasks. Experience matters. As Jon mentioned below, it's also important to network with others who share your interests.

There are always opportunities if you know where to look. Be open with people around you about what you want to do, say "yes" to new experiences, and show up! That last one is the hardest. People will start reaching out to you if you continue to go and volunteer and be present as much as possible in your community.
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Steve’s Answer

I am thrilled at your question. The ambition burning inside of you to do big, important things is a gift. The smart, simple questions you are asking means you are already further along than 90% of your peers. The answer is what you already know to be true. First, do serious and deep research to seek out several places that you are interested in. The bigger the better. Find organizations that have a bold vision that maps to your desires and expectations. You then study what they do. You find out everything you can about them and their initiatives. You then search for and find two of the highest ranking executives or owners. You study them. You read everything they write. You figure out where they are taking the organization. Where into the future are they leaningl You then write a very thoughtful, creative, endearing letter about THEM and what YOU can do for them. Focus it on the future. Where they are going. You create your own letterhead. You type the letter out. Make it more personal than formal. They need to get a feel for your personality and passions. You then print that letter on high end stock paper. You put it into a vanilla envelope. You write in BIG red ink " PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL - FOR MRS. ABC ONLY". You then put that envelope into a FedEx Express Overnight official envelope. You address that to them at their office. On the outside of that envelop you write in BIG letters "URGENT". You then call the main number to their firm or business and say "Hi, I am calling on behalf of {your real name}" That's not a lie. You are calling on your behalf. You then say "An urgent and confidential package should be arriving anytime now for MRS. ABC. It is VERY time sensitive so can you be on the look out for it. MRS. ABC is going to be thrilled with it. Oh, I'm getting a call, but thanks." and hang up

Steve recommends the following next steps:

Find the big problems others, both people and companies, live with. The problems they never seem to address or solve. Help them define the issue, focus exclusively on their problem. Analyze, research, and seek out solutions unlike any they have tried before. Package your solution in a way that is easily understood and favorable consumed. Do that and you’ll be rich with love and sought out by all.
Thank you comment icon Any ideas on how to improve this? Steve Arroyo
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Cheryl’s Answer

One of the biggest things about non-profit companies, is there is never enough advertisement. In my small community happens to be a non-profit camp for kids with cancer.
Finding one non-profit will open your interest and your opportunities with other non-profits. The last owner of our non-profit camp was requested and offered a higher opportunity with a large camp in another state that is nationwide for kids with cancer. Focusing on a group that is near you, find those that they are colleagues with and slowly work your way up. Not only will you gain the experience you’d like in this field, you would also have a great opportunity to prove the things you can do for these groups.
It may take time, but usually the companies that need you the most do not have the time, money, or employees to be able to advertise their needs.
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Kevin’s Answer

There are many opportunities that you can pursue. Another opportunity can be working at a larger company within a social impact or foundation team. With your very relevant experience and skill set, I see that you should be able to land an opportunity either in a non-profit, or a for-profit organization that is trying to have a larger social impact.
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Jon’s Answer

Build and maintain your personal network. Creating real connections with people you work with or want to work with will open up worlds of possibilities. Former contacts are always finding new opportunities and meeting new people that could help you. And if you take the initiative to reach out to leaders in your field and ask to speak with them and learn from them, some will say yes. Taking that action will set you apart from others pursuing similar opportunities. Linkedin could help with staying connected and finding new contacts to reach out to.
Thank you comment icon Thank You Jon. “If our hopes of building a better and safer world are to become more than wishful thinking, we will need the engagement of volunteers more than ever.” — Kofi Annan Doc Frick
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Hamish’s Answer

niche down and become specific
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Marianne’s Answer

Great question and there are many ways you can use your current degree in finance to get into the field you are looking for or also you can have a job in an industry associated with finance but through that become involved in the not for profit you are most interested. For example, in banking roles there are many opportunities to volunteer time through board positions. This allows you the ability to help out on corporate or finance boards and make connections that you could pursue other opportunities with various non-profits.

Also identify foundations in your area that support the community and look for volunteer opportunities that could allow you the ability to meet people internal to the company that you think may be of interest. That is a good way to learn about what they do and the culture to see if its a good potential fit.

I work as a lender in a bank and for the last 15 to 20 years I've been able to sit on boards and become very active in the community I work in and learn so much. I also realized that there are many more opportunities available within the "corporate" setting to help and gain exposure to not for profits that I never realized before. Good Luck.
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Nancy’s Answer

What a great combo of skills - finance and Human Rights Law!

1) nonprofit Foundations - like the Gates Foundation - could use that skillset
2) Many large companies have Foundations that need both skillsets. They are often giving away millions of dollars and need people who can properly screen and vet the organizations and the accountability metrics.
3) Politics - city and state level
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