Non-Profit Forums Connecting Contemplation of Career Paths to the Promotion of Common Good Non-Profit Forums: Connecting Contemplation of Career Paths to the Promotion of Common Good Maureen Mulhern Director, Office of Career Development St. Thomas Aquinas College Sparkill, NY

Overview  What? Who?  Planning  Implementation  Knowledge gained

What is a Non-Profit Forum?  Introduction  Dispel Myths  Suggest Opportunities  Discuss Benefits

How Did We Get Started?  Began in Spring 2013  Initiator: Sr. Peggy Scarano, OP Development Director for the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill  Idea: Educate our students  Collaboration

Collaborations  Student Activities Director  Campus Ministry Director  Student Government Presidents  Student Leaders  Asst. Dean, School of Business  Director of Experiential Learning, School of Business

Program Planning Event Planning Meetings  Fall and Spring Meetings (1x/month)  Thoughts on prior year’s event?  New ideas?  Structure of event?  What areas would we like panelists from?  Length of Program  Marketing  Divide Responsibilities

Program Planning Thoughts on prior year’s event  Students not involved enough in event  Speakers ran over on time  Some students didn’t get the opportunity to speak with panelists in their career area.

Program Planning New ideas? More Student Involvement In Event  Introduction of Program  Introductions of Presenters  Photographer  Close of Event

Program Planning What areas would we like panelists from? Education Criminal Justice Communications Business

Program Planning Marketing  To Deans/Faculty/Students  Word Of Mouth  Student Leaders Promotion

Program Planning  Flyers  Each student committee member invites 2-4 students, personally Marketing

Program Planning Requirements  Professional Attire  Register Online via Eventbrite  Select career field of interest

Program Implementation Pre-Event Logistics  3:00-3:30pm: Committee Arrival  3:45pm: Students available to Check-In Panelists  Goodie bags to Panelists  4:00pm: Panelist Arrival

Program Implementation Pre-Event Logistics  4:15pm: Student Check-In  Name Tags  Table Assignments  4:30pm: Program Begins

Program Implementation Structure of Event  4:30 – 6:30pm  General Welcome (Sr. Peggy)  Overview of Forum (Student)  Introduction: Key Note (Student)

Program Implementation Structure of Event  Key Note Presentation: 15 Minutes  Introduction: Panelists (4 Students)  Panelist Presentations: 5 Minutes Each  Dinner Break – Buffet: 30 Minutes

Program Implementation Structure of Event  Assigned Tables  Prepared Questions on Tables  Networking

Table Questions For Panelist To Discuss… (Please feel free to use these or not to facilitate table discussion.)  What skills are most critical to success in the work you are currently doing…or at a Non-Profit, in general? What made you choose to enter the Non-Profit world?  Can you compare working at a For-Profit vs. Non-Profit? Benefits of working for a Non-Profit over a For-Profit?

Table Questions For Panelist To Discuss… (Please feel free to use these or not to facilitate table discussion.)  What is the most challenging aspect of working at a Non-Profit?  What is the most fulfilling aspect of working for a Non-Profit?  What advice would you give to someone who is interested in your field?

Our Panelists

Paul Trader Executive Director Cornell Cooperative Extension Keynote

Our Panelists Sr. Catherine Moran, OP Retired, 22 Years at New Community Corp., Newark, NJ Education

Our Panelists Business Harold J. Peterson Senior VP/ Senior Managing Director Sterling National Bank

Our Panelists Communications Diana Hess Chief Communications Officer Jawonio

Our Panelists Criminal Justice Mary Ellen Natale Attorney Legal Aid Society, Rockland County

What did students LEARN? What are Non-Profit Organizations?  Businesses  Tax-exempt  Local – International

What did students LEARN?  # in Rockland County  Budgets  Types

 Social worker  Nurses/PT/OT  Mental health counselor  Youth/childcare worker  Project/event leader  Safety/emergency worker  Drivers  Artists  Educator (eg. nutrition, environment, technology)  Executive/Asst. director  Bookkeeper  Development officer  Business manager  Volunteer coordinator  Office assistant  IT manager  PR/Marketing coord.  Communications coord.  Facilities maintenance Program/Service Staff Administrative Staff Examples of Positions Available S/W

What did students LEARN?  What to expect…  Finding an NPO

 Make a difference!  Explore your interests  Expand your community connections  Enhance your resume with real-world experience  Meet people, make new friends, see the world!  Meet people, make new friends, see the world! Benefits of Interning or Working for a Non-Profit

Some Great Life Tips We all make mistakes. OWN IT AND GET OVER IT! (Sr. Catherine Moran, OP)

Some Great Life Tips  Young people are needed for:  Their Ideas  Their Energy  Social Media Knowledge  Be involved; it makes a difference.  You can be a major force in the NP World (Harold J. Peterson)

Student Feedback Key Tips Taken From Event?  “I can work for a Profit and still be a part of a Non Profit Organization”  “I learned that there are many opportunities to help others while having a stable career, and it is important to do what you love.”  “Even though college majors may seem do different from the non-profit world, they are actually very closely linked. Many majors take part in the non- profit world.”

Interested ? When you become detached mentally from yourself and concentrate on helping other people with their difficulties, you will be able to cope with your own more effectively. Somehow, the act of self-giving is a personal power-releasing factor. Norman Vincent Peale, American Author

Questions? Thoughts?