How Identity Has Influenced An Executive Director At A Non-Profit's Career
Michael's identity as a gay man significantly influenced their career path toward non-profit LGBTQ+ work, driven by a desire to "give back to a community" and explore how their identity could create impact within a "shifting environment." This experience highlights how personal identity can inform career choices and professional growth, suggesting that aligning work with personal values can be a powerful career strategy.
LGBTQ+ Issues, Nonprofit Sector, Career Identity, Executive Leadership, Community Impact
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Michael Bleggi
Executive Director
Non-Profit
Duke University, 2017
UCLA Anderson MBA
Political Science, American Studies
Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Strategic Management and Executive
Video Highlights
1. Michael's career in the non-profit sector was directly influenced by his desire to give back to the LGBTQ community.
2. He encourages exploring how personal identity can inform career choices, suggesting aligning work with passions and values.
3. He highlights the evolving legal, political, and cultural landscape surrounding LGBTQ issues as a motivating factor in his career path.
Transcript
As someone who identifies as a gay man, how has that impacted how you navigate your career?
My identity definitely played a key aspect in what I wanted to do with nonprofit work. I was interested in LGBTQ+ work from the get-go because I wanted to give back to a community that I had been part of and currently am.
It also showed me how to explore this part of my identity in a way that has impact. We're in a very political, legal, and cultural shifting environment, so I wanted to take part in that.
I let my identity inform my career search. I stress that for any of you figuring out who you are and what you want to do, it can be informed by that key element.
For example, if you identify as a trans man, maybe you want to work in trans healthcare. If you're a straight cis woman, perhaps you want to work in women's rights, or maybe you want to work in finance and see how your identity intersects with opportunities and professional growth in that role.
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