Did I Make A Huge Mistake?

Anonymous

May 6,2022 at 1:39PM UTC

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Did I Make A Huge Mistake?

Eight years ago I went back to school at 45. Searching for the quickest path to completely change my career path - role and industry - I enrolled in a full-time MBA program and was one of a handful over 35. I enjoyed every minute of school and the (almost) limitless possibilities of what could be next.

Upon graduation, I went to work at a large nonprofit thinking they could use me more than a financial institution.

I’ve been feeling underappreciated, undervalued, and unseen, especially in the last 2 years of my 6-year tenure. I’ve also learned that I’m severely underpaid. Coming into a nonprofit, my salary expectations were realistic, but I’m being underpaid even within my own comp grade. One of the internal recruiters I spoke with audibly gasped. I built my case with facts and asked my manager to open a pay equity inquiry on my behalf - she didn’t go to bat for me.

I stay up at night thinking not only about the opportunity costs of stagnating in the same role but also how much compensation I’m losing out on.

I worked myself to exhaustion to get through a full-time business school program while working full-time. I took the job because I wanted to make a difference and it just feels like I’m being taken advantage of by an organization that claims to do good.

I’ve had a few phone screenings in the last year with potential employers, but nothing beyond that. I’m feeling stuck and am not in a position to pay hundreds of dollars for a resume and LinkedIn profile writer. What would you do?

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AnonymousMay 6,2022 at 2:38PM UTC
Your resume and LinkedIn Profile is part of the puzzle.
Networking can be your biggest opportunity. Are there any opportunities through the business school to network or to get job opportunity information?
If you aren't being appreciated good for you in looking for a better opportunity. There are many opportunities to do good in this world. Is there anyone in your industry network you could go to for advice? Sometimes the hardest leap is talking about yourself and where you want to be.
With the increased focus in ESG there are many corporations looking for people with focused expertise. Just an idea.
JJMay 6,2022 at 4:37PM UTC
Nonprofits have been some of the most toxic workplaces that I have seen. Doing good in the public eye does not translate to treating employees well. I would start looking and you do not need to invest hundreds of dollars to apply for jobs.
AnonymousMay 6,2022 at 4:44PM UTC
In addition to the possibility of doing good at a for profit through ESG, also consider DEI and ERG related positions .
AnonymousMay 6,2022 at 5:59PM UTC
You took the position to make a difference and not for the compensation, career path ir opportunity to move onto a career path.
Your experience at athis nonprofit is the common experience in the world of most nonprofits and in n terms of stagnation and compensation. A few at the top make all the money and everyone else is worked to the bone and is expected to be satisfied with the "warm and fuzzy feelings " of the mission.
What I would do is move on as quickly as possible. You can try other non-profits or for profit.
LorraineMay 6,2022 at 7:39PM UTC
Congrats on finishing up your Masters. I got mine at 50 years old and don't regret it. You don't need to spend a lot on a professional resume writer. Look at some sample on line and use the template. It's more about what the content is and if you are highlighting your work experience correctly. A well crafted resume takes time. Take a good hard review of it and work it girl. It will pay off for you. Now, if you have had a few phone interviews and didn't get invited back for another round, then revisit what was said. Perhaps you need to brush up on interviewing skills(???). Hone in on what the issue is and tweak it. You've got experience and education and that is excellent. Just practice a little bit of interviewing and it will get better.
Lastly, if your manager didn't go to bat for you, then that's not the place for you. Keep looking for the right fit and then the time is right for you to vacate your position, you do so. But always do it with class. It will be their loss.
AnonymousMay 7,2022 at 10:07AM UTC
This is how it goes at a nonprofit. They are the worst. Usually not well managed?, not fiscally responsible and horrible career moves. Sorry. I know you wanted to identify with the purpose but what a waste of your degree.
I would defend try and get out of that environment and move over to the for profit space. Your career will thank you.
AnonymousMay 8,2022 at 1:23PM UTC
Nonprofits so true for some! My last one which was well-recognized in the community. Yet a closer look, seriously mismanaged, those at the top ran it like a dictator-ship. Low employee engagement, low morale, increased turnover.
AnonymousMay 7,2022 at 11:50PM UTC
Now that you have your MBA have you considered teaching virtual courses from the same school part time until you can transition into a full time job that you like.
Talk to your former professors you gelled with. Ask them for suggestions on companies they recommend you apply for. They may have the industry knowledge and connections to put you through with the right people to get you to a place that is desireable. They maybe able to give you good recommendations too.
If you have an MBA and managed to write a thesis, you shouldnt have to pay someone to prepare your resume or linked in profile. Instead go on linked in. Looked at profiles of individuals already in the industry or who work for companies you want to work for. If they have a resume attached in their profile, look at how it is formatted and try to mirror how it is formatted to get an idea of how that company might expect your resume to be laid out if you apply for them.
Don't be afraid to ping folks on linked in that are in your industry of interest to ask them "hey I am currently considering working at a company like yours. Can you tell me what you like about your company" that is a good conversation starter. They might give you good advice in putting together your application package and what to look out for on interviews. So don't only apply to a bunch of jobs. Try to initiate contacts on linked in with those who are already in your industry. Try to reach back out to your professors as well as described earlier.
Good Luck!
AnonymousMay 8,2022 at 1:18PM UTC
You’ve received great recommendations— tenure works well when you’re at the helm of decision making. It’s hellish when reliance is to convince, show & tell one’s worth. No ma’am. You, me, and others deserve more …you can position yourself into a new position with a decent salary elsewhere and speaking from experience, the desire to do good, you can find a nonprofit where you can offer your skills on your terms. Invest time to research from LinkedIn to Google, and you can create your own incredible resume. Begin to strategize the steps/processes & skill set needed in for your next role. This is a great platform, where many are rooting for you to be happy, content & successful in your next endeavor. LinkedIn as well, informational interviews too.
AnonymousMay 9,2022 at 4:37AM UTC
What is amp?
robertacouverMay 9,2022 at 8:01PM UTC
Probably means ampersand.
AnonymousMay 17,2022 at 2:37PM UTC
They typed & so why add amp?
Liz MilneMay 17,2022 at 7:53PM UTC
Sometimes the formatting is off between different fonts and it comes out in code instead of the symbol xx
AnonymousMay 8,2022 at 2:34PM UTC
Talk to more recruiters. You’ll find the right role and company. Perhaps try a company with a good mission and values that is not a not for profit.
AnonymousMay 8,2022 at 2:54PM UTC
the website https://www.guidestar.org can provide a starting point to assess a non-profit,
AnonymousMay 8,2022 at 4:25PM UTC
You haven't said if you've only been looking at jobs staying in the non-profit side or if you've branched out. If you've only focused on non-profits in your current search, definitely branch out and start checking out jobs at for-profit firms as well. You deserve to work at a place that isn't taking advantage of you. Good luck!
Mali PaquinMay 8,2022 at 5:36PM UTC
You can have a great looking resume with templates on Canva.com. Its free and super easy to use.
AnonymousMay 8,2022 at 6:29PM UTC
Network network network! Join nonprofit boards for exposure. And relevant professional organizations. And be sure to present yourself as the accomplished senior professional you are. No one has to know your current comp.
Tammy HagerMay 8,2022 at 9:25PM UTC
Get another job!! There's nothing worse than being undervalued...You have worked hard to get that degree!!! Don't settle for less!! Do you have any contacts that are recruiters or career counselors? There is an app that will check your resume for free..but l can't remember the name...Good luck you've got this!!
AnonymousMay 8,2022 at 9:28PM UTC
Have you contacted your school's career services office for assistance? The amount and type of assistance for alumni varies from school to school, but it's worth a phone call. I work at a university that provides one-on-one career coaching to all alumni (that's my role).
Barbara WhiteMay 9,2022 at 7:35PM UTC
Great advice! I receive information from the career services at my alma mater often. They even have a LinkedIn page where they post opportunities. You can take a look there to see if anything of interest is posted. And as others have said, network!! It seems many jobs these days are filled through networking than almost any other way.
Sabrina CortesMay 8,2022 at 10:55PM UTC
There are a couple of things you can do.
If you haven't already, start networking with recruiters for companies that you want to work for.
I'm a professional Resume Writer and when you apply for jobs, be sure to tailor your reusme to the jobs that you're applying for. This means that you want to include the actionable keywords and skills in the job description in your resume. It's essential that you do this because it greatly increases your chances of passing the applicant tracking system (ATS) scanning process.
I hope this helps and best of luck to you!
Ruth A. Ford, PHRMay 10,2022 at 10:20PM UTC
I firmly believe that education is like an investment you make in yourself. That said, investing in yourself is never a bad idea or waste of time.
The one thing that's missing in your post is -- what do you do for the non-profit? And, what do you want to do next? What does your ideal position look like? If you want to stay in the non-profit world, start poking around the websites of the organizations that interest you. Look at their annual reports and check out their job postings. There could be more robust non-profits in your area that can pay you significantly more than what you're currently making.
If you're interested in the private sector, start looking at company websites and their job postings. Again, I don't know what type of role you are interested in...but start looking at job postings so you can determine the types of jobs where your experience could be transferrable. Then, re-tool your resume to ensure you are highlighting the skills that are the most relevant to the types of roles you are targeting. And, don't forget to check State/City/County government for opportunities.
You need to have a clear idea of what you want to do next. Then, start building your plan for how you're going to get there. If you're interested in a certain company, try to find connections to that company. LinkedIn is great for that, and it won't cost you a dime. If it's a certain type of role you're interested in, reach out to your network to see if you have any connections in similar positions or roles; ask them how they got a foot in door or found their first opportunity. You have an MBA. You already did the hard work! Your next step is figuring out where you're going to go from here. Good luck!
Liz MilneMay 11,2022 at 3:49AM UTC
Can you go into business for yourself?