When a newcomer is just starting out or moving into the nonprofit industry from another field, acquiring the right knowledge and the right skills is a top priority. Younger professionals these days have a slight edge over their predecessors because they likely have experience using technology or a grasp of upcoming trends.
Despite this advantage, however, newcomers still need help navigating the field. To help them integrate quickly into their new positions, 13 members of Forbes Nonprofit Council each share one recommendation for new nonprofit professionals to increase their skills and knowledge of the industry.
Members pictured from left to right.
Photos courtesy of the individual members.1. Seek Out Online And Offline Resources
Reading is still and will always be the best way to acquire knowledge. If you Google your questions and read over the responses, you’ll be surprised by how much free information is just floating out there. If mentorship is a possibility, align yourself with someone that you view as having the potential to help you in your area of interest. A mentor should be excelling in your area of weakness. - Christopher Dipnarine, 4MyCiTy Inc.
2. Find A Mentor
Seek a mentor who is a senior colleague or leader to guide your professional development and help you achieve your career goals. Mentors can offer advice and improve communication and leadership skills while also increasing job satisfaction and confidence. Overall, a mentor is a vital resource to gain and hone the skills needed for a successful career. - Dan Mantz, Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation
Forbes Nonprofit Council is an invitation-only organization for chief executives in successful nonprofit organizations. Do I qualify?
3. Lean On Colleagues For Information
Talk to the people you work with. You can’t manifest institutional knowledge when you’re just starting out, but you can get a head start by leaning on the mentorship of your supervisors and colleagues. This applies not just to the workings of your organization, but also to the industry writ large. - Jose Luis Castro, Vital Strategies
4. Make Efforts To Understand Past Principles
The nonprofit industry is an eclectic and diverse set of people, skill sets and ideas. Covid has challenged the standard operating procedures in this space. It will be important for young professionals to understand previous principles so that they can better communicate and ideate with their seasoned counterparts. Philanthropy.com is a steady resource for veteran and emerging talent alike. - Nick Lynch, Collidescope IO, Inc.
5. Develop Peer Networks
Peer networks are a gem that some younger professionals may overlook. We all know information is readily available online; however, hearing directly from the experience of a colleague or peer brings deeper understanding and relevance. Whether it is a local chapter of a global organization, a nonprofit association or just a round table of like-minded individuals, you should use it! - Magdalena Nowicka Mook, ICF (International Coaching Federation)
6. Explore Other Nonprofit Organizations
For newcomers, learning and knowing what other nonprofit organizations are doing is very important. Try arranging visits to different nonprofit workplaces, focusing on what their core values are and the strategies they are working on. Focus on what's lacking and how to implement similar ideas into your organization. Sometimes you end up doing better by getting small hints from others. - Amina Wattoo Kasuri, The Lighthouse
7. Join Professional Associations
Join a professional association and get involved. Many cities and regions have local chapters of national organizations, such as the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), as well as local nonprofit associations. Engaging actively with other members and participating in workshops will help newcomers elevate their skills quickly. - Kimberly Lewis, Goodwill Industries of East Texas, Inc.
8. Practice Personal Management
I can think of no better skill than personal management. Learning to manage oneself is integral to advancing in any career path. To that end, I recommend reading Michael Watkins’ book The First 90 Days: Critical Success Strategies for New Leaders at All Levels. It's also helpful for anyone starting a new job. - Albert L. Reyes, Buckner International
9. Use Your Manager As A Guide
Your manager is responsible for not only assessing your performance, but also supporting your growth. They are often the best guide on where you should focus to have the highest impact. Proactively ask for feedback and suggestions regularly—monthly is a good start. Add this to your one-on-one meeting or schedule a separate time and send a message in advance so that you and your manager come prepared. - Katherine Brady, Catchafire
10. Leverage Online Courses
Massive open online courses (MOOCs) have been a game-changer for my team. Platforms like edX, Coursera and LinkedIn Learning provide a myriad of learning opportunities and discussion forums at cost-effective price points, sometimes even free. Access to these MOOCs allows supervisors to co-create personalized learning pathways and objectives to meet individual staff members’ development needs. - Christina Allrich, Beta Gamma Sigma
11. Develop Good Writing And Communication Skills
Don't overly rely on technology, and still embrace good writing and communications skills. With a move toward limiting characters on platforms like Twitter and Instagram, I look for young professionals who can communicate beyond short-form content. Organizations still need good communicators who can summarize complex concepts in a succinct way, often beyond 280 characters. - Jono Anzalone, The Climate Initiative
12. Apply The 'Three Rule'
Practice the "Three Rule" where you get to know people within three feet of you. Introduce yourself, ask what they do and see where the conversation may go. Then, if the opportunity presents itself, ask for their philanthropy of time, talent, treasure or testimony. A simple conversation may open the door to an incredible opportunity. - Aaron Alejandro, Texas FFA Foundation
13. Attend Events To Build Relationships
Joining and being active in a networking group such as a chamber or giving circle opens the door to immense resources. Some of the best mentoring I have received was through relationships I built in these settings. The key is to attend the events and speak to as many people as you can. This means you sometimes have to be uncomfortable, but the more I've pushed my comfort zone, the better the results. - Kelsey Burton, Medical Mutts Service Dogs
