Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Directors of Programs
Shalin, a Director of Programs, suggests entry-level roles like "program associate" or "program coordinator," citing their own experience starting with an "administrative and membership associate" position. The key is to seek roles blending administrative tasks with opportunities for broader programmatic involvement, advocating for additional responsibilities to gain diverse experience and "tangible, more programmatic skills."
Entry-Level Positions, Nonprofit Administration, Program Coordination, Project Management, Career Development
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Shalin Craig
Director of Programs
Minds Matter Southern California
University of California, Berkeley, 2015
N/A
Ethnic & Related Studies
Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Education
Scholarship Recipient, Worked 20+ Hours in School, LGBTQ, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Entry-level positions in the nonprofit sector often involve administrative or program associate roles.
2. Seek roles that combine administrative tasks with opportunities to contribute to program-related work, even if it's through small projects.
3. Gaining experience in both administrative and programmatic aspects makes you a more competitive candidate and allows you to highlight tangible skills in your resume and interviews.
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate college student might consider?
I'll speak from personal experience. The positions I sought out were program associate and program coordinator roles.
My first role out of college was as an administrative and membership associate at a nonprofit. I think administrative positions are common when entering an industry, especially nonprofits.
If administrative work isn't your ultimate goal, it's beneficial to find a role that combines administrative tasks with other responsibilities. This allows you to work on different aspects of the program. Even if it's not built into the role, you can advocate for it by taking on small projects.
This way, you gain administrative and operational experience, and you can also highlight your contributions to policy campaigns or other programmatic areas. This allows you to develop more tangible, programmatic skills.