Transitioning into a Rewarding Nonprofit Career

Meet Jerri Barrett, Director of Marketing for the Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology, "Connecting women and technology."   Jerri left her high tech marketing job to join the nonprofit world and was willing to share her inspirational story. Thank you Jerri!

Why did you join the nonprofit world?

I spent the last 20 years doing marketing in the high tech and telecommunications industries.  In the last two years I'd started feeling that something was missing in what I did every day.  I was also traveling two weeks a month and I decided that my next career move needed to be to a position where I would get to travel less and have more work/life balance.  I let my network know that I was looking for a new position and I received a call from a former boss who presented me with an opportunity that would be able to use my marketing skills and help meet my need to do a role where I could give back.  That was the role as Director of Marketing for the Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology.

What were the most significant steps you took which enabled you to  
transition into the nonprofit workplace?

The most important part of making the transtion was really looking at my skills and experience and determining what would be applicable in a non profit vs a high tech company.  I found that all of my marketing expertise was very applicable.  Finding ABI was a real bonus because we work primarily with  high tech companies and their employees as well as academic institutions.  In a previous role I had worked with the academic vertical market as well as with high tech companies. I was very aware of the issues our constituency faced and it was something I felt very passionate about.  I was very lucky to find such a good match.

How did you use your network?

My network is very important to me. I've always been very passionate about staying in touch with people, especially since I've moved about the country quite a bit.  Being active in LinkedIn has been a real bonus since it lets me update people quickly and easily just by updating my profile.  In making the job change I let people I trust know that I was actively looking for a new position and what I was looking for. I had friends review my resume to make comments and edits.  I also made sure I knew how to get in touch with my key references and that they were good with making recommendations.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced in making the switch to the nonprofit world?

Things do work somewhat differently in the non profit world. In the for profit world you are always very aware of what the "competition" is doing and you think in terms of winning - winning the deal, winning the bid, etc.  In the non profit world there are a number of organizations that focus on women in the workplace and some overlap with what we do.  We each have our expertise and instead of thinking about winning we focus on how we can work together.   In my new role I find myself establishing marketing affiliate relationships and finding ways to work with other organizations to our mutual benefit. It is a more satisfying way to approach the world.

How have you overcome it?

I have great co-workers who in the beginning did a great job pointing out that I needed to shift my thinking.  There are days I forget but after six months it's become much easier.   I also found that occasionally I just need to take someone aside and say - explain to me how things work here - they are always willing to explain.

Is the day to day environment different in a nonprofit organization than in your previous for profit company?

Nonprofits are different.  There is recognition that people do have a life and that it is as important as the work we do. We are very flexible on working from home, some people telecommute three days a week and almost everyone works from home on Wednesdays. There are also more holidays and we do get more vacation time.  We  do several major programs a year.  After each one is over the whole organization gets a day off. There is recognition that people work hard and deserve a break as a reward for a job well done.   Being in a nonprofit also means you have fewer resources so we're always looking for the least expensive way to do things.  I do keep a close eye on every marketing dollar spent to extract the most value possible.

Do you have a mentor?

I have several mentors.  One I have known for the last 12 years - he has not only been a mentor  but also a champion.  He gives wonderful career advice. I also have what I call my kitchen table advisers.

How do you use them?

My mentor/champion is someone I call at least once every few months just to update him on how my career is going and to see what he hears through the grapevine. He is the most networked person I know.  At one point several years ago I needed to find a job - he was my first call.  Less than a week later I had an interview and a job.  I always listen closely to his advice.  The kitchen table advisers is a term I got from Jackie Spears book.  The kitchen table advisers are women that I trust implicitly and I feel they are very valuable mentors to me on all aspects of my life. Two of them are previous co-wrokers - we try to meet once a month and we work actively to help each other out - no matter what is involved.   The other group of kitchen table advisers are my book group members. These are women of various ages, in various stages of their careers. They are all smart, funny and very willing to discuss and advise on anything.  All of these people I value highly and trust implicitly.  Trust to me is the most important part of all these relationships.  

Do you have words of advice for other women who are trying to enter the nonprofit world after time in the for profit world? 

Moving to the non profit world does mean that things are going to be very different.  In the for profit world you don't always need to believe in your product or service (though it helps). In the non profit world you really do need to have a passion for what the organization does. You also need to recognize that no one goes into the non profit world to become rich.  So if you are going to make the move make sure you negotiate for a salary you can afford to live with. 

If you do want to work for a non profit and you can find the time - volunteer for the organization first.  Volunteers are always welcome and volunteering gives you an opportunity to see if it is someplace you want to work - you want to be sure that you also like the people and you do feel passionate about their mission.  You are always an advocate when you work for a non profit so you need to make sure that you do believe in the mission.

Also, recognize that for profit experience is highly valued in the non profit world.  Don't sell yourself short.

To learn more about what Jerri does for the Anita Borg Institute, check out their web site, www.anitaborg.org.