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?"
Fundraising, Higher Education, Sales, Customer Relations, Data Management
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
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, Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Sales and Client Management
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, LGBTQ, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Phonathon/Student Caller: Experience making direct asks and cold calling alumni can provide valuable insights into whether fundraising is a good fit.
2. Sales/Account Executive/Retail Positions: Roles involving customer relations management (CRM) databases are relevant as fundraising heavily relies on data management and donor relations.
3. Importance of Interpersonal Skills: Any role where you directly work with people and making asks will allow an individual to see if fundraising is a good fit.
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate or graduate student might consider to get into your position someday in the university setting?
A common role that many people have experience with, even if they don't end up in nonprofit fundraising, is a bone banking role. This type of position has been cut from several universities.
On-the-ground work, whether it's a text-to-give campaign or directly cold-calling alumni, is the easiest and most tangible way to see if you would like the job and are good at it. This role isn't always representative of higher-level or more specialized functions, but it is key.
Any sales position, such as an account executive or retail role, where you work directly with a customer relationship management database is also beneficial. In fundraising, almost every function involves that larger data picture.
Whether it's data visualization or direct entry with donations and contact reports, these experiences will teach you if you like the job and sales in general. They will also teach you a great deal about working directly with people and making asks, which is the core of the work.