Mining the Collective Wisdom of VJers

[GabachaYucateca 0]

Someone posted in the last couple of days asking about VJers occupations and whether they'd recommend their chosen field to others. Got me thinking...well, actually what got me thinking was the sorry state of my finances and that ultimately my goal is to permanently relocate to Mexico. Which takes $...$ that one can't earn working in nonprofits.

Despite the fact that it makes me feel depressed to imagine working in the corporate world, I am trying to explore my options for getting there.

I don't even know where I'd start...what positions I would look for in what type of company in which I could use my skills and experience gained from the nonprofit work I've done. I could probably finagle a pitch for myself in corporate-speak once I knew which types of positions it'd make sense for me to go for, but that's where I'm stuck!

I've got absolutely no technical knowledge...my strengths and experience all are in the areas of communication, dealing with lots of different types of people, managing programs, doing outreach, and writing.

Any ideas? Please pardon the vagueness...I'm used to being able to sound like I know what I'm talking about, but in this case, I'm a babe in the woods!

[Dan J 277]

Someone posted in the last couple of days asking about VJers occupations and whether they'd recommend their chosen field to others. Got me thinking...well, actually what got me thinking was the sorry state of my finances and that ultimately my goal is to permanently relocate to Mexico. Which takes $...$ that one can't earn working in nonprofits.

Despite the fact that it makes me feel depressed to imagine working in the corporate world, I am trying to explore my options for getting there.

I don't even know where I'd start...what positions I would look for in what type of company in which I could use my skills and experience gained from the nonprofit work I've done. I could probably finagle a pitch for myself in corporate-speak once I knew which types of positions it'd make sense for me to go for, but that's where I'm stuck!

I've got absolutely no technical knowledge...my strengths and experience all are in the areas of communication, dealing with lots of different types of people, managing programs, doing outreach, and writing.

Any ideas? Please pardon the vagueness...I'm used to being able to sound like I know what I'm talking about, but in this case, I'm a babe in the woods!

Public Relations? Maybe marketing or sales.

[CarolynRitesh 0]

I was in the same boat as you a few years back, worked for the Girl Scouts for 4 years doing program management, recruiting, training, etc. When I switched, it was into marketing and sales, and then management, and then into my true love, training and development. It has been a twisty but fun road so far! (If you can handle Non-profit politics, you can handle corporate speak and politics as well - I found the non-profit arena even more challenging in that area!)

[Alex+R 0]

PR, definitely.

You don't have to create the good vs. evil dichotomy out of non-profit vs. for-profit. Find a company that you like and believe in. Don't try to work for some big evil corporation or it will make you depressed.

[GabachaYucateca 0]

I know what you mean, Alex&R...I was hoping that it didn't come off that way, but I guess it did!

What I was trying to get at is that each sector has a different language and that I'm not sure how to translate what I can do into what would make someone in for-profit want to hire me.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Sell cars.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

A lot of big corporations (or certainly the last 2 companies I have worked for) have community outreach people who organize charity work for employees to do - sounds like something you might be interested it.

We've done stuff like Heal the Bay (cleaning up beaches and ocean of SoCal), toys for tots, Big Brother/Sister etc

[mawilson 2,133]

Sell cars.

[panamania79 2]

Sell cars.

That looks just like one of my friend's uncle.Fake gold chains and all.

Someone posted in the last couple of days asking about VJers occupations and whether they'd recommend their chosen field to others. Got me thinking...well, actually what got me thinking was the sorry state of my finances and that ultimately my goal is to permanently relocate to Mexico. Which takes $...$ that one can't earn working in nonprofits.

Despite the fact that it makes me feel depressed to imagine working in the corporate world, I am trying to explore my options for getting there.

I don't even know where I'd start...what positions I would look for in what type of company in which I could use my skills and experience gained from the nonprofit work I've done. I could probably finagle a pitch for myself in corporate-speak once I knew which types of positions it'd make sense for me to go for, but that's where I'm stuck!

I've got absolutely no technical knowledge...my strengths and experience all are in the areas of communication, dealing with lots of different types of people, managing programs, doing outreach, and writing.

Any ideas? Please pardon the vagueness...I'm used to being able to sound like I know what I'm talking about, but in this case, I'm a babe in the woods!

I can help you find a job.What do you want to do and how much do you want to make ?

[~*Dorothy*~ 2]

I agree with folks who mentioned PR - there is a huge movement within the industry toward CSR - Corporate Social Responsibility and other "noble" causes that you might find worth exploring. PR industry gets a bad rap at times but there are a lot of good firms that you might want to give a try - your background is a huge plus if you would want to explore your options within the field. I work for a great PR agency that has offices on a global scale and I must say that I am proud of the company I work for and actually enjoy my job immensely - best of luck with your decision - keep us posted...

D.

[GabachaYucateca 0]

Thanks for the suggestions! Working for the community outreach arm of a corporation sounds like something I'd like to do!

I'm really just in the exploratory phase right now, but if I make the move, I'd like to do so in the next couple of years...especially when thinking about starting a family (health insurance!). But on the other hand, I can't possibly imagine finding a job that I love more than the one I have now.