Tom Yuhas ⋅ Bedford , OH Sparkle Wash International ⋅ 14 years experience

Master Sergeant Craig Petronella, the more important question is - Is getting into the nonprofit space right for Craig Petronella? Take Mr. Morgan Lerette's advice and do some volunteering at the organizations in which you're interested.

June R Massoud ⋅ Burlington , VT School Boards/Teaching, Tutoring Business and Technical Business ⋅ 25 years experience

I know a lot about non-profits. Since you're working in Public Administration, you're dealing with the 'public'. So, research what the public needs. How about working with people who have disabilities, as a job?

Eduardo Aguilar ⋅ Sacramento , CA Children Now ⋅ 15 years experience

Hi Craig- happened to be doing a search this morning and came across the website for Foundation Level Jobs below. Foundations provide leadership and funding for Non-Profits. Given your management background, you may want to check out what opportunities may lie for you in this realm.

http://www.philanthropynewsdigest.org/jobs

I've been in the Non-Profit field for nearly 15 years, so if you need any guidance or even just some feedback on your resume, feel free to shoot me a message. Take care and thank you for your service. -E

Rajesh Sahni ⋅ Bridgewater , NJ IBM ⋅ 25 years experience

Craig, The main question is how you are able to fund your routine life and balance it with non-profit work. To begin full time volunteering is hard for people with simpler means. Start small few hours a week. Local Church, Food for Hungry and Bill Gates Foundation have been deeply involved in such cause.

I am also trying to build a portal for "Help in Need" to bring such people in need together. Check it out. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Help-In-Need/212789248761561?ref=hl

Thanks

Jane Delorenzis ⋅ Long Beach , CA The University Corporation at Cal State Northridge ⋅ 20 years experience

Craig,

I forgot to say that as a Master Sergeant you already have management experience. Sell that.

Jane Delorenzis ⋅ Long Beach , CA The University Corporation at Cal State Northridge ⋅ 20 years experience

Craig,

Non profits are a great place to work. I owned a business and was active in the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary. Loved working with non-profit people so much that I sold my business and went to work in the Cal State University System. Each campus has at least one and up to four non-profits. The non-profits support the campus where they are located and generate their own funding. There are thousands of such organizations around the country. Try becoming involved in your alumni group, local non profits like the Chamber of Commerce etc. And look on their web sites for jobs. I actually started working on the University side and in 6 months I was offered a job at one of the non-profits. Get your foot in the door and if you work hard, you will rise.

Susana Moraga ⋅ Hayward , CA California State University East Bay ⋅ 20 years experience

Craig,
Non-profits want to know that you are truly interested in what they are doing as much as the skills that you have. You may show this interest by volunteering which is why Ali suggested it.
The more you understand the field you want to pursue the easier it will be to target organizations you may be interested in and what you can do.
Best,

Ali Hoban ⋅ New York , NY AOL ⋅ 5 years experience

Hi Craig,

I would encourage you to search through ACP AdvisorNet's Community for Advisors with experience in non-profit. To do this, go to the top navy- blue bar (below the ACP AdvisorNet logo) and click 'Community.' Then sort for 'Advisors' with experience in 'Non-profit'.

Additionally, post 9-11 veterans are eligible to apply to ACP's Veteran Mentoring Program for a year-long, one on one mentorship. While most Mentors in ACP's Mentoring Program come from corporations, a few have prior non-profit experience or may work with non-profits in their day-to-day jobs. These Mentors might be able to give you a unique perspective if they've worked in non-profits as well as other industries.

Finally, have you looked into Idealist.org? This site is not only a great place to search for non-profit jobs, but you can also 'connect' with organizations that interest you, look for volunteer industries and read articles about the non-profit world.

Best of luck to you!

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco , CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

Craig,
Any idea of the sort of role you seek at a non-profit, and the type of non-profit that interests you?

Morgan Lerette ⋅ Glendale , AZ AAA ⋅ 6 years experience

If you are looking to get in the non profit space, start volunteering. That is the easiest way to build relationships and networks.

If you are looking at veteran specific non profits, check out The Mission Continues and Team RWB. The Mission Continues has a fellowship program you may find interesting and you can do it while in school and in your local area.

Mcl