Here's how you can transition into a different sector as a mid-career professional in philanthropy.
Transitioning into a new professional sector can often seem daunting, especially for mid-career philanthropy professionals who have dedicated years to a specific cause or organization. However, the skills you've honed in philanthropy—strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, fundraising, and impact measurement—are highly transferable and valued in many fields. The key to a successful transition lies in understanding how these skills align with the needs of another sector, being open to learning new industry-specific knowledge, and effectively communicating your value proposition to potential employers. Whether you're looking to enter the corporate world, government, or a different area of the nonprofit sector, your experience in philanthropy positions you uniquely to make a meaningful impact.
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Randi ClarkVice President, Organization Effectiveness & People Operations | Global Philanthropy & Non-Profit Expertise | Executive…
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Terry MorrowPresident @ Bronson Health Foundation | FABC, Behavioral Economics
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Tammy ParrishConnecting your outside to your inside = authenticity, visibility, confidence #wearyourvalues
Before you leap into a new sector, take stock of your skills and experience. As a philanthropy professional, you've likely developed strong project management, communication, and analytical abilities. Reflect on how these can translate to another industry. For example, your experience in grant writing can be an asset in any role requiring persuasive writing and complex submissions. Similarly, your event planning experience could be beneficial in marketing or public relations roles. Understanding the transferability of your skills is the first step towards articulating your value in a new sector.
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Philanthropic organizations often run lean on headcount. This can be an advantage for someone who wants to gain experiences in different functions. After 27 years in all things HR (8 of those years in philanthropy), I’ve taken my own inventory of cross-cutting experience. It’s more vast than I initially believed due to being a utility player in areas that have no dedicated headcount. Take a look at your organization and work experience, and see if you can identify those areas. Create a “self survey” (I have a template I’m happy to share). Ask trusted colleagues to complete the survey. I’m certain you will find transferable expertise in your wheelhouse.
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As a mid-career philanthropy professional transitioning to a new sector, assess how your skills like project management, strategic communication, and data analysis can transfer. For example, your grant writing expertise is valuable in corporate communications or proposal management, while your event organizing experience suits roles in operations or marketing. Articulating how these skills meet the needs of another sector can facilitate your transition and enhance your appeal in diverse professional environments.
Networking is crucial when transitioning sectors. Start by connecting with professionals in the field you're interested in. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and reach out to contacts who can offer insights or introductions. Your philanthropic work has likely given you a broad network; use it to learn about new opportunities and industry cultures. Don't hesitate to ask for informational interviews where you can discuss the sector's challenges and how your background might address them.
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In addition to connecting to professionals of all stripes in the sector you're interested in, reconnect with the well-connected philanthropy professionals you already know, regardless of what sector they're in. Let them know about the switch you want to make and see who they might know. Another tip for mid-career — focus on younger contacts in your network. Often we subconsciously choose older contacts as they often have more senior positions and this seems like a good growth strategy. But younger folks are often more interested in growth, and that hunger translates to savviness about the market and a higher tolerance for risk-taking, which can lead to out-of-the-ordinary opportunities.
Your personal brand reflects your professional identity, so it's essential to update it to align with your new sector. This includes your resume, LinkedIn profile, and any other professional materials. Highlight transferable skills and reframe your philanthropic achievements in a way that resonates with the new industry. Use language familiar to professionals in that sector and focus on outcomes and results that demonstrate your capability and adaptability.
While your existing skills are valuable, gaining sector-specific knowledge can make you more competitive. This could mean taking courses, obtaining certifications, or simply staying abreast of industry news and trends. Understand the regulatory environment, technology use, and best practices within the new sector. This demonstrates your commitment to making a successful transition and shows potential employers that you are proactive in overcoming the learning curve.
Volunteering can be an effective strategy to gain experience in a new sector. Look for volunteer opportunities that allow you to apply your skills in a different context or help you acquire new ones relevant to your target industry. This hands-on experience not only bolsters your resume but also expands your network within the new sector and provides tangible examples of your adaptability and commitment.
When preparing for interviews in a new sector, anticipate questions about your sector switch and be ready to explain your motivation and how your background is an asset. Practice discussing your transferable skills with confidence and provide examples of how you've adapted to new challenges in the past. Understanding the sector's language and key issues will help you communicate more effectively and demonstrate your genuine interest in making a meaningful contribution.
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Look for something adjacent to philanthropy. I think of the similar and overlapping areas of community affairs, public affairs, public relations, and community relations. These all tap into the strengths you might have in story telling, mobilizing people around a common idea or plan, helping to develop organizational image, being a listening post for external data, convening stakeholders, etc. If you’re mid-career in philanthropy, and have had demonstrated success in that field, then you’re likely doing all of these things well presently but perhaps informally. It’s not a leap to move into these roles and then see what doors open after a few years. Public policy, advocacy, legislative relationships might emerge as step 2.