3 answers
Emma
Student
Albany, New York
1
Question
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How important is your major in the Non-Profit sector?
I'm trying to decide on my major, I am between Public Relations, Political Science, and Anthropology. I would like to work on the political end of Non-Profits.
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3 answers
Omani Gilliam
Business Executive | Opening the Doors of Power & Influence for Lasting Inclusive Change. Cross-Functional Doer & Cross Silo Collaborator | CFO
20
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Omani’s Answer
Hi,
All the majors you mentioned you can be quite successful in non-profit realms of political work. Those majors are respected in the non-profit sector. Therefore, it comes down to which major you select that has more personal value with in those classes you will take. If a major has classes you don't value, that can adversely lose interest in degree you attain. I have spent several years in political lobbying, along with a decade building non-profits. You will be surprised majority of individuals even ask what your major was once you working in your new career. It's equally about who you know. Also, simply attaining the degree, your passion, and persistence. Conjointly, try to learn a little bit about an array of topics. As opposed to knowing a lot about few topics.
You got this!
All the majors you mentioned you can be quite successful in non-profit realms of political work. Those majors are respected in the non-profit sector. Therefore, it comes down to which major you select that has more personal value with in those classes you will take. If a major has classes you don't value, that can adversely lose interest in degree you attain. I have spent several years in political lobbying, along with a decade building non-profits. You will be surprised majority of individuals even ask what your major was once you working in your new career. It's equally about who you know. Also, simply attaining the degree, your passion, and persistence. Conjointly, try to learn a little bit about an array of topics. As opposed to knowing a lot about few topics.
You got this!
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1180
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Emma !
This is such a fabulous question ! Since I have spent twenty seven years working in the non-profit sector in New York, I most definitely would like to support your goal and offer some advice.
To begin with, you are in an ideal local for what you want as a career. The major I would recommend for you for a career in the political sector of non-profits is a Master of Public Administration degree (an MPA). It looks as though the State University of New York at Albany (SUNY Albany) has this program. The course of study includes classes in public administration, public and non-profit financial management, valuing people in public and non-profit organizations, principles of public economics, data models and decisions, statistics for public managers and policy analysts, and foundations of public management, with various electives, too.
I am not clear on information for the Bachelors Degree program in Public Administration, but I would advise contacting local colleges and SUNY Albany to see if a Bachelors degree is offered if you can't go for a Masters.
If you get any position in some non-profits, that alone could offer you the opportunity to advocate and represent an issue before the New York State Capitol or in the State where you would live. We always had busloads of staff, clients and anyone who wanted to go to Albany to advocate for certain issues and Bills. Everyone was invited to do so. So, depending on the agency type and mission, you can possibly have a chance to experience that if the agency does trips to Albany.
Albany also has many non-profits which would offer you great opportunities to study and possibly intern right there in Albany. I do hope that this has been of some help and I wish you all the best in your plans.
This is such a fabulous question ! Since I have spent twenty seven years working in the non-profit sector in New York, I most definitely would like to support your goal and offer some advice.
To begin with, you are in an ideal local for what you want as a career. The major I would recommend for you for a career in the political sector of non-profits is a Master of Public Administration degree (an MPA). It looks as though the State University of New York at Albany (SUNY Albany) has this program. The course of study includes classes in public administration, public and non-profit financial management, valuing people in public and non-profit organizations, principles of public economics, data models and decisions, statistics for public managers and policy analysts, and foundations of public management, with various electives, too.
I am not clear on information for the Bachelors Degree program in Public Administration, but I would advise contacting local colleges and SUNY Albany to see if a Bachelors degree is offered if you can't go for a Masters.
If you get any position in some non-profits, that alone could offer you the opportunity to advocate and represent an issue before the New York State Capitol or in the State where you would live. We always had busloads of staff, clients and anyone who wanted to go to Albany to advocate for certain issues and Bills. Everyone was invited to do so. So, depending on the agency type and mission, you can possibly have a chance to experience that if the agency does trips to Albany.
Albany also has many non-profits which would offer you great opportunities to study and possibly intern right there in Albany. I do hope that this has been of some help and I wish you all the best in your plans.
Brad Stewart
CFO
11
Answers
Cleveland, Georgia
Updated
Brad’s Answer
Hi Emma
To answer your question would require some additional information but I will take a stab at answering the best I can. I spent 35 years working for non-profit organizations and my skill set was as a CPA. I was a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for non-profit healthcare organizations and my training as a CPA was crucial for my role as a CFO. It really depends on what role you see yourself playing for your organization. You mentioned a political role but that could be a broad range of responsibilities. I would recommend that you refine the position you are interested in then seek the education that best fits that role. You also should understand that a large percentage of college graduates don't
necessarily end up in a role that is directly related to their educational background (just something to keep in mind).
A degree in Political Science might be the proper track but again you should refine exactly what role you are seeking in the non-profit (NP) world. I also feel it is important for anyone looking to work in the NP arena that NP does not mean you can't or shouldn't make a profit. Profit is not a bad word and excess earnings over expenses is as necessary for a NP as it is for a manufacturer or any other business. NP's are usually tax exempt so they don't pay taxes on their profits because there is no private inurement (no individual (s) get to keep the profits).
Thanks and Good Luck!
To answer your question would require some additional information but I will take a stab at answering the best I can. I spent 35 years working for non-profit organizations and my skill set was as a CPA. I was a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for non-profit healthcare organizations and my training as a CPA was crucial for my role as a CFO. It really depends on what role you see yourself playing for your organization. You mentioned a political role but that could be a broad range of responsibilities. I would recommend that you refine the position you are interested in then seek the education that best fits that role. You also should understand that a large percentage of college graduates don't
necessarily end up in a role that is directly related to their educational background (just something to keep in mind).
A degree in Political Science might be the proper track but again you should refine exactly what role you are seeking in the non-profit (NP) world. I also feel it is important for anyone looking to work in the NP arena that NP does not mean you can't or shouldn't make a profit. Profit is not a bad word and excess earnings over expenses is as necessary for a NP as it is for a manufacturer or any other business. NP's are usually tax exempt so they don't pay taxes on their profits because there is no private inurement (no individual (s) get to keep the profits).
Thanks and Good Luck!