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Ryan, Assistant Director of Development at University of California, Davis: Advize Career Interview
An Assistant Director of Development role at UC Davis offers a fascinating career path, beginning often with internships focused on database administration and gift processing, evolving into major gift fundraising, as illustrated by Ryan's journey.
Daily tasks involve frontline fundraising, extensive travel to meet alumni, and program management connecting students with alumni.
Skills crucial to success include project management and communication, allowing one to connect with various stakeholders and understand donor needs.
The best part of the role is interacting with individuals who share a passion for higher education and aligning alumni passions with impactful projects.
Challenges include a high turnover rate in fundraising and constraints often found in nonprofits. Individuals who thrive are mission-driven, dedicated to meaningful work, and constantly acquire skills to tailor roles.
Advice for students includes exploring diverse opportunities in college, understanding how coursework translates to career skills, and considering entry-level positions like phone banking or sales, which can provide valuable experience in making asks and working with data.
A key takeaway is that leadership is about rallying people around an idea, regardless of formal authority, and proactively translating academic experiences into tangible career assets.
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Ryan Advincula
Assistant Director of Development
University of California, Davis
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Davis: MBA
Entertainment, Music & Arts, Political Science, American Studies
Education
Sales and Client Management
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, LGBTQ, First Generation College Student
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Career Path Of An Assistant Director Of Development At UC Davis
Ryan, currently an Assistant Director of Development at UC Davis, began a career in nonprofit development with an internship found through a Berkeley club, "Business Careers in Entertainment", doing database administration and gift processing for a theater. The greatest demand at the theater was for fundraisers, which eventually led to major gift fundraising roles at a museum in Los Angeles, a student nonprofit, an executive search firm, and finally back home to Davis where the role involves "$50,000 plus asks" for the endowment.
Main Responsibilities of an Assistant Director of Development at University of California, Davis
As an Assistant Director of Development, Ryan's main responsibilities include fundraising, specifically "making these major gift asks" from alumni, community members, and corporate partners. Furthermore, Ryan works directly with the dean's office in a program management capacity by securing alumni panels and student mentorship programs, connecting the college's 37 departments with alumni.
A Day In The Life Of An Assistant Director Of Development At UC Davis
As an Assistant Director of Development at UC Davis, a typical day involves being a "frontline fundraiser" by traveling extensively throughout California to meet with alumni, primarily focusing on furthering relationships with alumni through in-person meetings and zoom calls whether or not they're gonna be able to give a major gift. The role also entails working on dean's projects and college events, such as alumni networking and volunteer board meetings, where "every day's a little bit different," and appreciating the privilege to explore the diverse geographic locations of the UC system's alumni.
Most Important Skills For An Assistant Director Of Development At University Of California Davis
For an Assistant Director of Development role at UC Davis, project management is critical, especially given the diverse functions involved. Communication skills are also key, requiring the ability to work with various stakeholders, including alumni, faculty, and team members, while understanding donor needs and interpreting "subtext or other cues" to facilitate fundraising.
Favorite Parts of Being an Assistant Director of Development at UC Davis
Ryan's favorite aspect of being an Assistant Director of Development at UC Davis is the daily interaction with people who share the institution's values, allowing for open and passionate discussions on important topics. The role becomes especially rewarding when "able to make that match really align, uh, an alumni's passion" with a specific project, creating a fulfilling sense of shared purpose that goes beyond a typical sales transaction.
Biggest Challenges Faced by an Assistant Director of Development at UC Davis
Ryan's biggest challenge in the Assistant Director of Development role is the high turnover rate in fundraising, driven by the difficulty of "sales without a tangible product" and the need to constantly adapt to diverse prospect motivations. This is further compounded by the constraints often found in nonprofits, such as potentially lower pay and less administrative support.
Favorite Parts of Working in Higher Education as an Assistant Director of Development at University of California Davis
Ryan enjoys working in higher education because it is believed that education is the "greatest equalizer" and is "key to social mobility," allowing Ryan to support an organization whose values are aligned with the belief that education is critical to America's leadership in innovation and actualizing change for a better future.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Education And Nonprofit Industry, According To An Assistant Director Of Development At UC Davis
Ryan believes that people who thrive in education or the nonprofit sector are "mission driven" and dedicated to work that is meaningful, possessing extensive knowledge acquired through education or training that shapes capabilities in program management and multifaceted positions. Individuals in this field are typically "here for a reason" as their belief in the organization compels them to acquire skills that will help tailor roles.
What an Assistant Director of Development at University of California Davis Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Fundraising Industry
Ryan wishes someone had emphasized the high-stress nature of development work, noting that while nonprofits often share the positive aspects, "development has sort of that struggle magnified," as it can be a very emotional job where passionate individuals may have difficult conversations when managing the energy of people with a lot at stake in what they do. Early on, Ryan learned that people will "fight for, for what they believe in," making it clear it's not just a desk job but often people's whole lives.
Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Assistant Directors of Development
Ryan suggests that entry-level roles like "phone banking... cold calling alumni" and sales positions using customer relations management databases are valuable for aspiring development professionals, as they provide direct experience with making asks, working with data, and assessing interest in the field, adding that these roles can help one learn "do I like sales in general?"
Significant Career Lesson From An Assistant Director Of Development At University Of California Davis
A significant lesson Ryan has learned is that leadership isn't tied to a position of authority but rather the ability to rally people around an idea, even without being the decision-maker; "leadership at its core is really just if you have an idea that you believe in strongly, can you get people to be on board". This skill of "managing upwards" and advocating for beneficial changes, regardless of role, has proven invaluable in preparing Ryan for supervisory roles and team leadership.
College Experiences That Helped An Assistant Director of Development At University of California, Davis Succeed
According to Ryan, the most important thing one can do in college is to "try a multitude of different things," even if it means failing, as this period offers a unique opportunity for self-discovery without significant career repercussions; ultimately, figuring out early what one likes and dislikes will "save you so much in the long run" in finding a fulfilling career, especially in fields like nonprofit work where passion is a driving force.
How Identity Has Influenced An Assistant Director Of Development's Career At University Of California, Davis
As a first-generation student, Ryan initially felt pressure from immigrant parents to enter school with "intentionality" and pursue a practical path, leading to a pre-med track that ultimately didn't align with their interests; finding "that purpose" later in college allowed for a pivot to political science and theater, demonstrating that identifying what one *doesn't* want is equally crucial in charting a fulfilling career.
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