How Being on a Nonprofit Board can Advance Your Career

Working as an active member of a nonprofit board demands a fair amount of your time and effort. Board members discuss and propose solutions to internal issues relating to economics, ethics, and strategy; they must also be willing to organize—and often participate in—fundraising campaigns. On top of all this, board members generally work without compensation. 

So just why should you take on the responsibilities of a nonprofit board member? As it turns out, if you work in the construction, engineering or environmental industry, being part of a nonprofit board can help advance your career in a number of different ways: 

Strengthen Your Resume

Serving as a member of a nonprofit’s board of directors looks impressive on just about any job application. It’s a position that shows potential employers that you’re able to assume responsibility for tasks of great importance, communicate with others to solve problems, and dedicate your free time to a cause. Even the title of board member adds a certain prestige to your resume.

Gain Valuable Experience

But a position on a nonprofit board is worth far more than a title alone. The experiences that come with the job will make you more capable and, by extension, more successful in your professional endeavors.

If you work in a field that demands that you remain knowledgeable in order to stand out—like the construction, engineering, and environmental industries—the lessons you learn as a member of a nonprofit board will be infinitely more valuable than the position itself. Working alongside other professionals in your field will provide you with information and advice that you’ll have access to for the rest of your career.

Show Potential Employers Your Decision-Making Ability

An effective member of an organization’s board of directors absolutely needs to be able to make decisions that have widespread and immediate consequences.

Similarly, most high-level jobs in engineering and construction—as well as many in the environmental industry—require individuals that are capable of making important decisions that can cost companies greatly if they’re not given enough thought.

Being able to weigh options carefully, make decisions with confidence, and produce results that are in line with an organization’s vision are all features that employers look for when selecting candidates for senior positions in these fields; showing that you’re up to the task through nonprofit work can quickly cause your career to skyrocket. 

Learn Teamwork and Leadership Skills

Being an influential member of a nonprofit board requires more than just making the right decisions. It’s equally as important to be able to collaborate with—and sometimes lead—fellow board members.

Many companies in the environmental, engineering, and construction industries immediately examine a candidate’s ability to work with a team when making hiring decisions. And few of these employers are looking to fill a high-level position with someone who’s unable to lead others. Nonprofit boards provide you with an opportunity to improve and showcase both of these highly desirable job skills. 

Form Connections

There’s a fair chance that it won’t be the organizations you join, but the people that you meet that will catapult your career forward. And if you know which nonprofits attract the industry veterans you want to work alongside, it’s easy to make great connections.

For example, if you’re seeking out professionals in industries related to environmental sciences, join a nonprofit that focuses on environmental issues. A position on a nonprofit board that other professionals in your field belong to can be an invaluable tool for discovering new career opportunities.

Why Else?

As you can see, serving on a nonprofit’s board of directors provides more than enough career benefits to justify the time spent working without pay. In addition to the many perks mentioned above, it’s also worth considering the fulfillment that nonprofit work can bring.

Being able to work toward a shared goal, exchange ideas with experts in your industry, and clearly see the positive impact that your actions can have are all immediate rewards that you’re able to enjoy—alongside the long-term career benefits. If you’re interested in advancing your construction, engineering, or environmental career, try contacting a nonprofit in your area.

Michael DeSafey is a leading executive recruiter for professionals in the construction, engineering and environmental industries. He is currently the President of Webuild Staffing www.webuildstaffing.com . To learn more about Michael or to follow his blog please visit www.michaeldesafey.com