The Harvard Business School Guide to Careers in the Nonprofit Sector

Book excerpt: Guiding MBAs into the Nonprofit Sector As interest in nonprofit sector careers grows among MBA students and MBAs further along in their careers, the number of interesting opportunities and the need for MBA skills in this sector also continues to spiral upward. Yet MBA students and alums have experienced frustration with the job search process in this field. The Harvard Business School Guide to Careers in the Nonprofit Sector is a great resource for newly minted MBAs and alums interested in entering the nonprofit sector - whether as full-time managers, board members, or volunteers. Tapping the career histories of thirty-four Harvard Business School alums who have carved out successful and personally rewarding lives in the nonprofit sector, Stephanie Lowell has created a resource that is both inspirational and practical. Topics covered include: nonprofit subsector overviews with descriptions of key roles and positions for MBAs the pros and cons of a nonprofit career managing expectations salary expectations cultural differences the job search process as it applies to nonprofits an extensive bibliography of resources Reflecting the depth and breadth of the nonprofit sector, the HBS Guide covers management careers in arts and culture, community economic development, education, environment, foundations, government, health care, international aid and economic development, social services, social purpose businesses, and socially responsible business/corporate community relations.