Navigating your career: how to make the most of your experiences

Navigating your career: How to make the most of your experiences

Posted on November 27, 2018 by Abby Rolland

What’s one piece of career advice you would give to current students and recent alumni from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy? Some of our alumni and Board of Visitors members answered a series of questions on how current students and recent alumni can navigate their new careers.

What do you wish someone had told you as you began your first job after college?

“Be curious. Ask at least two meaningful questions of your coworkers or boss every day.” –John Ferguson, B.A.’16, Outreach Manager at Indiana Nonprofit Resource Network

“Be open to exploring all aspects of the organization. Don’t assume that anything ‘isn’t your job.’ This will provide great learning opportunities and open doors.” –Amanda Kamman, VP of Partnerships at Project Lead The Way

“Failure is part of the learning process. With failure (in whatever way you define it) comes incredible professional and personal growth.” –Smita Vadakekalam, M.A.’01, VP of Professional Services at Heller Consulting

What do you wish someone had told as you wanted to advance in your career?

“Be patient and put in the time. You don’t advance just from ‘showing up.’ Find someone in a position like what you want and get advice/help. –Amelia Clark, M.A.’01, VP of Community Health for Meridian Health Services

“Exhibit professional patience.” –Peter Hoskow, Principal and Managing Director of CCS Fundraising

What is your advice for new employees hoping to work their way up?

“Take initiative, demonstrate creativity, and become a ‘go to’ person for solving problems, helping others, and finding solutions.” –Erin Hedges, M.A.’13, Founder and President of Hedges

“Get or stay involved in trade associations/specialty groups. You will start building a network.” –Amelia Clark

What steps can students and/or alumni take to learn new skills and advance in their field?

“Meet people of all ages and backgrounds, read, go to lectures, and address deficits through volunteer activities.” –Jennifer Zeisler, M.A./M.P.A.’04, Director of Career Readiness at ECMC Foundation

“Seek out a mentor. Ask them how they learned and advanced and then see how you might apply these options (and others) in your context.” –John Ferguson

“Professional development opportunities do not always cost a lot of money. Seek out low and no cost training and workshops, even online, to continue your development.” –Erin Hedges

What do you wish someone had told you as you tried to move from one job sector to another?

“Do your research about the new sector. Network and attend events that provide learning and opportunities.” –Amanda Kamman

What are key skills/abilities professionals need in the workplace, no matter what role they have or what organization they are working for?

“Initiative, reliability, accountability, positivity, pride in your work.” –Erin Hedges

“Continuous learning, basic technical skills, leadership, emotional intelligence, growth mindset, self-awareness, communications.” –Smita Vadakekalam

What key leadership skills should one develop in order to advance to a leadership role?

“Play to your strengths but always be aware of your weaknesses and how you work through them.” –Amelia Clark

“Lead by doing, empower others, exhibit excellent work.” –Peter Hoskow

“Be willing to take a good risk and learn a new area.” –Smita Vadakekalam

What advice would you give to our online students to help them effectively network virtually?

“Use LinkedIn to connect with individuals you want to know.” –Jennifer Zeisler

What are your tips for finding a mentor in the workplace?

“Don’t just look for someone you like, look for someone who can challenge you so you can grow.” –Amelia Clark

How do you balance your work/life roles?

“Set work and personal goals, large and small, that hold you accountable for being intentional in both areas of your life.” –Erin Hedges

Is community involvement important when you’re considering a new hire? If so, how can prospective employees include that within their interview?

“Yes, articulate the way community involvement informs your values.” –Peter Hoskow

What’s the best career advice you received?

“Volunteer to take on tasks so that you can learn new skills and meet new people.” –Amelia Clark

“You can do anything you set out to do. Just work hard and stay confident in yourself.” –Erin Hedges

“Be a lifelong learner and be open to positions/careers you may not have considered. You may just find something you love.” –Amanda Kamman

Any other pieces of career advice you have for current students or recent alumni? Share them below!

‘I can’t imagine myself on a different path’: An undergrad shares her passion for fundraising and philanthropy

Posted on November 21, 2018 by Abby Rolland

Macy Jackson packs food as part of Gleaner's BackSacks program. — Macy Jackson packs food as part of the Gleaners BackSacks program.

Tomorrow, many people across the city of Indianapolis and state of Indiana will enjoy tasty treats with their family and friends for Thanksgiving. For junior Macy Jackson, she’s thinking not only of the food awaiting her, but of others who may not receive a meal that day. Those thoughts have fueled her to find ways to address food insecurity through an internship at Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana.

Jackson’s passion for food insecurity and involvement with Gleaners began in middle school when she volunteered as part of her summer camp with the organization. With her interest piqued, she later helped organized a project through her high school that created around 200 laundry baskets full of Thanksgiving meals for people in her community.

“It’s come full circle. I started as a volunteer at Gleaners, became more educated on food insecurity, became passionate about it when I was in school, learned how to fundraise in college, and now am working as an intern to become more of a part in the cause,” Jackson explained.

Her internship in the grants and foundations department at Gleaners has shown Jackson another aspect of fundraising, the career path she wants to pursue after graduating. Her role this fall has included reading and analyzing all of the past grant reports that Gleaners staff have written and gathering the best information in one place, which will help current staff utilize that information for future grants. She has also written grants, a practical skill Jackson knows will be useful when she begins looking for full-time work.

“It’s been really interesting to see the diverse ways that different people have written grants,” she said. “I’ve been able to use what I’ve learned from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, such as knowing the best way to talk to donors and foundations, in my current work.”

Savanah Strever, director of grants and foundation relations, shared her thoughts on the benefits of having Jackson as an intern.

“Having Macy on our team has allowed us to tackle several projects that otherwise may have been put on the backburner. She helped create systems and tools that will improve efficiency, ultimately resulting in increased fundraising capacity for those in need,” Strever said.

Jackson’s desire to pursue fundraising as a career helped her earn her internship in the first place.

“I was in the Introduction to Fundraising course with Bill Stanczykiewicz (assistant dean for external relations and clinical associate professor), and he knows Gail Lowry, the chief philanthropy officer at Gleaners,” Jackson said. “He knew I was looking for an internship in grants and connected me with the one at Gleaners.

“It illustrates the beauty of networking within the school. Getting to know the professors and talking to them about what you want to get involved in is very important.”

Her involvement doesn’t stop at Gleaners, though. Jackson is also the Director of In-Kind Partnerships with Jagathon, IUPUI’s Dance Marathon that benefits Riley Children’s Hospital. She works with corporate partners who donate items for Jagathon.

She’s also a supervisor at the IU Natatorium and a volunteer with Paws Pantry, which gives food to any member of the IUPUI community, especially students, who need it. Jackson also serves as a Sam H. Jones and Cox Scholar.

“I try to stay heavily involved and take advantage of my student experience!” Jackson explained.

Even with all of her philanthropic activities, Jackson didn’t arrive to campus as a philanthropic studies major.

“I arrived at IUPUI intending to pursue nursing,” she said. “I didn’t know how I wanted to help people, but I knew I wanted to help others.

“When I arrived at my orientation, my leader was a philanthropic studies student. I had never heard of it, but I saw that the students in the program were really making a difference in the community, and I wanted to be a part of that.”

Jackson met with Pamela Clark, director of student services and admissions, and realized that she could become more educated and learn from practitioners and researchers in the field while also honing her leadership abilities.

“I’ve gotten to do so much here,” she said. “There have been so many classes, from Introduction to Fundraising to Psychology of Giving that have helped me become a better philanthropist. It’s been great.”

In the future, Jackson plans on working in fundraising and connecting donors to causes they care about.

“I’ve always enjoyed getting donors involved and helping them learn about all of the different ways they can integrate themselves into an organization,” she said.

Jackson in Gleaner's warehouse. — Jackson in the Gleaners warehouse.

“I’m always looking at an organization, learning about it, and trying to figure out ways that they can use fundraising principles and strategies. How can I integrate what I’ve learned from class into an experience? I love Gleaners, its mission, and everything that the staff and volunteers are doing, and so taking what I’ve learned from classes and building it into my experience here has been amazing.”

She credits the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy faculty, staff, and fellow students with encouragement and support along the way, and encourages those with a passion for helping people to consider philanthropic studies.

“I loved how helpful the school and multiple different faculty members were for me to earn an internship,” she said.

“In addition, there are so many different paths you can take with philanthropy. If you have a passion for helping and caring for others, then definitely look into this major.

“I can’t imagine myself on another path.”

A family foundation, a donor, and a commitment to philanthropy

Posted on November 19, 2018 by Ann Boyd-Stewart

In 2013, Thomas Glenn II, president of The Wilbur and Hilda Glenn Family Foundation, established the Glenn Family Chair in Philanthropy. Since then, Dr. Dwight Burlingame, a pioneer in the study of philanthropy, has held that chair position.

Here, assistant dean of fundraising and alumni relations Ann Boyd-Stewart interviews Glenn about his experiences with philanthropy at the Center on Philanthropy and with his own personal philanthropy.

From what I saw in the gift agreement, the Chair was formed from the Glenn Family Innovation Fund. What motivated the original gift and why did you amend it?

Burlingame and Gene Tempel were extremely helpful to me in formulating plans for the Wilbur and Hilda Glenn Institute for Philanthropy and Service Learning at the Westminster Schools in Atlanta, Georgia. I learned a great deal about philanthropy while serving on the Center on Philanthropy’s Board of Governors (later to become Board of Visitors), and I met a lot of very purposeful and engaging people while associating with IUPUI. Our gift was a means of showing appreciation to the Center and contributing to the field of philanthropy education, in general.

You served on the Board of Visitors from 2004-2013. How did you find out about the Center and what were some of the highlights of your service?

It was in the late 1990s that I first saw a copy of Giving USA, and I happened to notice that it was published under the auspices of the Center on Philanthropy. That caught my attention. Around the same time, a close personal friend happened to know and introduced me to Cathy Agard, head of Learning to Give at the time.

After sharing much of her time with me, Cathy introduced me to Tempel, Burlingame, Patrick Rooney, and several others at the Center. Subsequently, I served on the Board of Visitors where I benefited from the friendship and inspiration of Alexis Rovzar, Paul Comstock, L.H. Bailey, Ted Grossnickle, Karen Lake Buttrey, Maureen Hackett, and a good many others. My association with the Center was a most gratifying experience.

Tell me about the 2003 establishment of the Glenn Institute for Philanthropy and Service Learning. Has the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy played any role?

Several faculty and staff members were particularly helpful, not only in providing sound advice prior to establishing the Institute, but also in offering a great deal of guidance after the Institute’s inception. Notably, Burlingame served on the Institute’s Advisory Board. And because of their knowledge of philanthropy initiatives all over the country, Dwight, Tempel, and others were able to introduce us to many additional sources of information and assistance.

What traditions of giving did you celebrate in your family growing up?

Where philanthropy is concerned, there were no traditions or celebrations, as such. Philanthropy was simply embedded in the family fabric, like being respectful and appreciative. I learned far more about philanthropy from my parents by what they did than what they said.

Have these traditions been passed to your children, Louisa and Rand?

Lou and I have not urged our daughters, as such, to participate in our family foundation. Rather, we have simply made the opportunity available to them, and this strategy seems to have worked. They have both become passionate about certain mission areas and have developed a keen desire to learn more about other foundations, nonprofits, board activity, and philanthropy, in general. Fortunately, they seem to be following the same general philosophy of leading by example in dealing with their children.

California wildfires: ‘How can I give in a way that means the most?’

Posted on November 15, 2018 by Abby Rolland

Last year, we published a blog post about Hurricane Harvey and how individuals can donate to have the most impact. We’re finding that topic relevant today, as the Camp Fire and Woolsey Fire rage in California. These fires have burned 10,000 homes and structures, and over 250,000 total people remain under mandatory evacuation orders (CBS News).

Many have answered the call to help, whether that be donating money or time, and you may be asking yourself, “How can I give in a way that means the most?”

The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy has been studying Americans’ charitable responses to major disasters and ways to give since the September 11, 2001 attacks. Read below to learn how Dr. Patrick Rooney, executive associate dean for academic programs and professor of economics and philanthropic studies at the school, advises how you can give in a way that has the most impact.

“Americans are remarkably generous and have a strong desire to help others in need,” he said. “But it’s important to give in ways that will be helpful. The best way is to give money to long-standing relief organizations. Needs often vary from area to area and from moment to moment. Monetary donations provide relief workers with the flexibility to use your gift in the way that is most needed at any given time. This is more useful than giving food, clothing or other goods. It is easier to purchase these locally than to ship them.

“To ensure that your dollars get to those in need, give directly to reputable, established aid groups with experience working in disaster relief and recovery. They are best able to assess and meet needs and have established teams, infrastructures and experience for doing so. And beware of potential fraud. Sadly, scams often arise around disasters, including sham websites and emails that appear to be from legitimate organizations but are not. It’s safest to contact known organizations yourself to make a gift via check or credit card to avoid scams and provide documentation for yourself and the charity.”

How philanthropy and faith in diverse communities can guide us today

Posted on November 13, 2018 by Abby Rolland

Moderator Dr. Leah Gunning Francis and panelists Revered Starsky Wilson, Ms. Aimee Laramore, and Dr. Brad Braxton are introduced by Dr. David King — Moderator Dr. Leah Gunning Francis and panelists Reverend Starsky Wilson, Ms. Aimée Laramore, and Dr. Brad Braxton are introduced by Dr. David King.

So, I’m going to level with you. As I walked into Shelton Auditorium at the Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) on Tuesday, November 6, my first thought was not on the Distinguished Visitors Panel, presented by Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, Mays Family Institute on Diverse Philanthropy, CTS, and 2018 Spirit and Place Festival.

I had heard Dr. Brad Braxton and Reverend Starsky Wilson speak during a lunch and learn earlier in the day, and I had listened, entranced, the entire time as they discussed their own backgrounds in philanthropy and the work they are doing in the field. I knew that the evening panel, which also included Ms. Aimée Laramore, would be just as riveting.

However, as a woman and a passionate student of history, during this particular Tuesday night, I was thinking of the midterm election. Not to dive into a lesson on history on a philanthropy-focused blog, but women have had the right to vote for less than 100 years, and every time I vote, I ponder, in reality, the short amount of time that we have been able to use our voices and our minds through the ballot box to speak our truth, our current realities, and our hopes in this challenging world.

But then, as I was driving to work the next morning, I realized that the distinguished visitors used their voices during the panel to do the same thing. That is, they shared their wide-range of experiences and vast knowledge to speak about their truths, their realities, and their hopes. They focused on “intersections,” and how faith and diversity have shaped and molded their own understandings of what philanthropy is and what it can be.

Without going into too much detail (I could ramble for a while and you can watch the entire lecture on Lake Institute’s Annual Programs page), I thought I’d highlight the key points I took from each panelist.

Reverend Wilson – If you work in philanthropy, be a philanthropist. In addition, be a part of the communities that you’re doing change in.

I think this concept in philanthropy is often touted, but not often practiced. It includes not only being in your community, but actively listening and engaging with those in that community to institute the change that they want. Also, if you are working in philanthropy but not investing your personal time, talent, and treasure, how can you tell others to do the same?

Dr. Braxton – Philanthropy comes from a place of profound abundance.

This concept is emphasized by Lake Institute, but again is quickly discarded or forgotten. I think it’s one of those core principles that we overthink. Philanthropy has its rightful critics – it’s dominated by the wealthy and therefore undemocratic, it’s not responsive to the communities it’s trying to help, it’s becoming too technical or professionalized, or it’s not technical or professional enough. While these are important issues to consider, Dr. Braxton’s point remains one that we should consider when we are dissecting all of the “wrongs” in philanthropy.

Ms. Laramore – The first community foundation was the black church.

I interned at a community foundation over the summer, and while I don’t imagine that I’m an expert in community foundations or the history of philanthropy, Ms. Laramore’s idea really hits on the idea of black philanthropy as a reality for hundreds of years, and not this “new” or “emerging” trend. Ms. Laramore and Dr. Tyrone Freeman are much more eloquent than I am on this subject, but I think her point bears deep thought. Are we utilizing the black church and the African-American community as a guiding point in how we can be more responsive and adaptive in our philanthropy, as they have been for hundreds of years?

In addition, Ms. Laramore had another point about philanthropy – we often forget the fourth “T.” We discuss time, talent, and treasure, but we forget testimony and the power of stories. As a writer and coordinator of content, this hit home for me. Thus far, my professional career has been focused on collecting stories and illustrating impact. I don’t always realize how significant this is, but Ms. Laramore’s thought was an important reminder of the power of testimony and how it can be harnessed to inspire change.

It was a great evening – even the constant update of election results could not distract me from the important messages from the panelists. And mark your calendar for Lake Institute’s Lake Lecture next spring, featuring noted author, speaker, and consultant Lynne Twist. If it is half as good as the Distinguished Visitors lecture, you (and me!) are in for a real treat!

Did you attend the panel or watch the video? Leave a comment with your thoughts below!