6 Ways to Rock Your Nonprofit Career

Rosetta Thurman and Trista Harris

nonprofitrockstartour.com

The Authors: Rosetta and Trista

The Book: How to Become a Nonprofit

Rockstar

If you're not succeeding at the game, change the

rules. You don't have to play like everyone else.

Find the loopholes.

1. Develop expertise

2. Build a strong network

3. Establish a great personal brand

4. Practice authentic leadership

5. Plan for balance6. Move on up

Your DIY professional development plan

Develop Expertise

Increase Knowledge + Skills

• Don’t volunteer for free (hone your skills)

• Learn how to raise money

• Take classes or certification programs

• Learn someone else’s job

Build a Strong Network

The 60/40 Solution• Prioritize networking• Spend 60% of your

time working & 40% becoming visible

• Join professional associations

• Attend conferences• You are ALWAYS

looking for a job

Create Your Own Networking

Opportunities• Informational interviews• Start your own network• Build your own

“Frankenmentor”– There is no perfect “fairy

godmentor”– Choose 3-5 people you

admire for different reasons– Ask them to lunch or coffee

once/quarter

Establish a Great Personal Brand

“Brand yourself for the career you want, not the

job you have.”

– Dan Schwabel, Gen Y personal branding

expert

Get a Reputation• Get your OWN business

cards• Build your social media

presence– LinkedIn, Twitter

• Start a blog– Allison Jones– Jessica Journey– Sam Davidson

• Write a kickass bio

Practice Authentic Leadership

Lead from the Front• Join a board• Lead a committee• Do a stretch assignment

– Outside of job description

• Speak up!– Public speaking opportunities– Become a vocal advocate for

your cause

• Ask for honest, frequent feedback

Plan for Balance

Take Care of You• Develop a personal

mission statement• Stop playing the

martyr role• Schedule time to

reflect• Clear your plate

Move On Up

Forge Your Path Ahead• Get paid what you’re

worth– Schedule a bi-annual

meeting with boss– Keep track of

accomplishments – Ask for a raise

• Pursue a Master’s • Let your network help

you find a new job• Take the leap

Whatcha gonna do Monday?

Buy the Book!

nonprofitrockstartour.com