Working+for+a+Non+Profit

**Our Guests**
 * Non-profit Jobs** (S. Rodriguez Scribe)

Cat Burns Science Director, The Nature Conservancy Background: · Postdoc on fire management impacts on large mammals in South Africa · Professor at the University of Maine for 2.5 years in WL ecology · Then TNC…husband is professor at Duke

Meg Lowman Director, Natural Resource Center Background: · Undergrad at Williams College, was in the 2nd class to have woman in it  · MS, Duke, advisor - Peter Ashton · PhD, University of Sydney, 1 of 2 women in program · Prof at Williams College · Then non-profit job · Then Professor, Bontanical College of Florida · Then NRC

**Shifting from Academia to Non-profit**

__Cat__ Academic Pros and Cons · focus on drive to get grants and to publish · competitive nature · lowest salaries in the science profession

Non-profit Pros and Cons · actual conservation on the ground and making a difference · mission driven, collaborative efforts · no reward for publishing and not a priority · job performance not evaluated by pubs but contributions to org mission · opportunities to travel both domestically and internationally with TNC · Only 2 phds in the NC chapter of TNC · Entering phd salary could be lower than academic but at TNC, cat makes 150% of her assistant professor salary but not as much time off.

Her job at TNC: · Writes grants she’s interested in  · not involved in fundraising · Day in a life: · grant writing · collaboration opportunitie · climate change information & application for future · Science permitting

Last person in her position was there for 20 years, so longevity in your position is possible.

__Meg__ Academic Pros and Cons – · educating the next generation · focus on pubs · lots of creative time · ability to create your own schedule · summers off!

Non-profit Pros and Cons: · 24/7 work schedule · lots of fundraising responsibilities · lots of life lessons · served on boards · learn how to run a business · different skill set is developed · more flexibility for those with families · opportunities to travel both domestically and internationally

Her job at NRC – split appointment between NRC and NCSU (will be hiring this year for 2012 opening – 5 chief scientist and 5 junior scientists)

Day in a life: · emailing · book proposals · meetings (lots) · lunch with events coordinator · meeting with development · grant writing Plans to be in this job for “a long time”

Hiring at non-profit: · Rely on gut sense · Must sell your skill set